Arnold Van Rooijen

Arnold Van Rooijen is a Lecturer in Coastal Engineering and ARC Early Career Industry Fellow at The University of Western Australia's School of Earth and Oceans and UWA Oceans Institute. With 15 years of experience in coastal engineering research, education, and consultancy, he employs laboratory, numerical modeling, and field techniques to advance understanding of coastal physical processes including ocean waves, currents, and sediment transport.

Education:

• PhD in Coastal Engineering, "Wave and current induced flows in aquatic vegetation canopies," The University of Western Australia (2015-2019)
• MSc in Coastal Engineering, "Modeling sediment transport in the swash zone," Delft University of Technology (2008-2011)
• BSc in Civil Engineering, Delft University of Technology (2005-2008)

Dr. Van Rooijen's research focuses on quantifying how marine habitats and bio-engineered structures protect against coastal flooding and erosion. His work spans coastal hydro-morphodynamic processes, beach and dune erosion, long-term coastal evolution, and nature-based coastal protection systems, with specific expertise in processes around mangroves, seagrass, shellfish reefs, and salt marshes. His research contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to climate action and life below water.

His recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on wave attenuation mechanisms, sediment transport dynamics, and the effectiveness of nature-based solutions for coastal protection. The research shows increasing integration of field observations with advanced numerical models to predict coastal responses to environmental changes, with particular attention to Australian coastal environments and marine habitats.

Scientific Recognition:

• Oceans Graduate School Early-Career Research Award (2022)
• ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship (2023)

Dr. Van Rooijen leads multiple research initiatives including his ARC Early Career Industry Fellowship project (2024-2030), hydrodynamic energy attenuation research with seaweed aquaculture (2024-2027), and projects on coastal resilience through community engagement (2024-2025) and climate change impacts on Western Australia's intertidal habitats (2023-2024). He maintains active collaborations across Australian research institutions and government agencies.

His research methodology combines physical experiments in wave tanks, field measurements, and sophisticated numerical modeling approaches, building on his prior industry experience at Deltares (2011-2020) where he worked as a Coastal Engineer before joining UWA.