Graduate Student
Nature has evolved to know best how to stay resilient against natural forces. My research examines the science of how marshes can be placed in front of seawalls to attenuate wave amplitude and wave energy to reduce over topping and erosion. This is studied using wave dissipation models based on the physics of wave-vegetation hydrodynamic interactions. Hybrid coastal defense strategies not only offers important ecosystem services to combat climate change challenges, but also potentially deliver the same level of coastal protection more economically. Therefore, I will also conduct cost-benefit analysis on combined marshes and seawall infrastructures to examine whether societies would benefit economically from implementing nature based coastal protection and live more harmoniously with the natural environment.