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Brett Sanders is a Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Samueli School of Engineering, University of California, Irvine. His research focuses on developing innovative algorithms for flow and transport in river and coastal systems and integrating information technologies to create more accurate and efficient simulation tools for flood hazard assessment. His primary research interests include: Flooding and erosion hazards, particularly coastal flooding and urban flooding Surface water quality Low impact development impacts on hydrology Dam-break flooding Aerial and terrestrial lidar scanning Geographical information systems High performance computing for simulation tools Social dimensions of flood risk and adaptation behaviors Dr. Sanders' recent publications (2024-2025) reveal a comprehensive research program addressing both technical and social aspects of flood risk. His work spans computational hydrodynamics, flood hazard mapping, infrastructure vulnerability assessment, and the socioeconomic dimensions of flood risk. He has made significant contributions to understanding multi-grid modeling of urban flooding, post-fire flood hazards, satellite-based monitoring of land motion, and social inequalities in flood exposure. His research demonstrates how flood dynamics are more complex than simple bath-tub filling models suggest, with important implications for urban planning and climate adaptation. Dr. Sanders has received recognition as a Chancellor's Professor at UC Irvine, indicating distinguished scholarly achievement. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan (1997) M.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Michigan (1994) B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley (1993)

• Flood modeling and prediction
• Coastal and urban flooding
• Hydrological modeling
• +7 more

Imraan Faruque is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Oklahoma State University (OSU), part of the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology (CEAT). His research focuses on biologically-inspired flight control systems, engineered autonomy for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and the integration of sensory feedback mechanisms in autonomous systems. Education: Faruque holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland (2011 and 2010) and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech (2006). Research Interests: His work emphasizes bio-inspired solutions for aerial autonomy, including swarm coordination, gust-aware flight control, and human-autonomy interaction. Key areas include unmanned systems design, visual feedback algorithms, and adaptive control strategies derived from insect flight dynamics. Awards: He has received notable accolades such as the ONR Young Investigator Award (2019), AIAA Hal Andrews Young Engineer/Scientist Award (2017), and multiple 'Best in Session' recognitions at major conferences. His team also secured 1st Place in the International Aerial Robotics Championship (2005). Publications: Faruque’s research spans topics like orbital debris management, swarm intelligence, and tornado sensing with UAVs. His work bridges biological principles and engineering, with applications in aerospace, robotics, and environmental monitoring.

• Biologically-Inspired Flight Control
• Engineered Aerial Autonomy
• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
• +2 more

Gaofeng Jia is Associate Professor in Civil and Environmental Engineering at Colorado State University's Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering. He specializes in natural hazard risk assessment, infrastructure resilience, and uncertainty quantification. Research integrates simulation-based approaches with high-performance computing for assessing complex engineering systems. Core areas include infrastructure deterioration modeling, wave energy converter optimization, tsunami evacuation planning, and surrogate modeling techniques. Recent work emphasizes physics-informed machine learning for engineering applications. Publications demonstrate consistent methodological innovation in uncertainty quantification across domains including seismic engineering, coastal hazards, renewable energy systems, and structural reliability. Articles employ advanced computational statistics, Bayesian methods, and multi-fidelity modeling. Young Researcher Best Paper Award Best Student Paper Award

• Structural Engineering
• Risk Assessment
• Infrastructure Resilience
• +4 more

Dr. Helga Huntley is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Rowan University's College of Science & Mathematics. Her research applies mathematical principles to solve complex problems in oceanography and atmospheric science, with expertise in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Transport and Dispersion Analysis, and Applied Dynamical Systems. She teaches mathematics courses ranging from remedial to graduate level and mentors students in research projects related to her expertise. Her educational background includes: Ph.D. in Mathematics from the Courant Institute, New York University M.S. in Mathematics from the Courant Institute, New York University B.S. in Mathematics from the University of Notre Dame Dr. Huntley's research examines transport patterns in ocean flows, their predictability, and integration of models across different scales. She investigates data assimilation to improve models based on observations and sea ice dynamics. As a data manager in a multi-institutional research consortium, she has developed expertise in preparing, archiving, and sharing diverse research data from lab experiments to field observations and model outputs. Analysis of Dr. Huntley's publication record reveals a strong focus on oceanographic processes using Lagrangian methods to study surface flows and transport phenomena. Her work spans theoretical mathematical modeling, field data analysis, and practical applications related to marine pollution, predator distribution, and climate impacts. A recurring theme is the investigation of submesoscale ocean dynamics and their implications for understanding larger-scale oceanographic processes, with consistent publication output in high-impact journals. Dr. Huntley actively encourages students interested in her research areas to contact her for research opportunities. While specific grant information isn't detailed in the provided materials, her extensive publication record across multiple high-impact journals suggests successful research funding. Her work often involves collaboration with interdisciplinary teams across various institutions. As a data manager in a multi-institutional research consortium, Dr. Huntley has developed expertise in research data management best practices. Her research methodology often involves oceanographic instrumentation and drifter technologies to collect data on surface ocean dynamics, contributing to our understanding of complex fluid dynamics in natural systems.

• Geophysical Fluid Dynamics
• Oceanography
• Atmospheric Science
• +7 more

Dr. Ian Walker is a Professor in the Department of Geography at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). He specializes in physical geography and geomorphology, with expertise in sediment transport, coastal and aeolian processes, environmental fluid dynamics, and dune ecosystem restoration. He holds a B.Sc. in Geography and Environmental Science from the University of Toronto and a Ph.D. in Geography from the University of Guelph, Canada. Prior to UCSB, he served as faculty at Arizona State University and the University of Victoria (Canada). His research focuses on coastal and desert environments, employing field and lab methods such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), unmanned aerial systems (UAS), wind tunnel simulations, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Key projects include dust emissions mitigation at Oceano Dunes (collaborating with California Department of Parks) and invasive plant removal studies in Humboldt Bay. He has secured over $6M in research funding and advised over 40 students/post-docs. Education: B.Sc. (University of Toronto), Ph.D. (University of Guelph) Editorial Roles: Earth Surface Processes & Landforms , Annals of the American Association of Geographers , Journal of Coastal Research Professional Affiliations: Member of NASEM Scientific Advisory Panel for Owens Valley Dust Studies His articles emphasize coastal morphodynamics, restoration strategies, and climate change impacts. Notable work includes comparing UAS/TLS methods for geomorphic change detection and modeling airflow over dunes using CFD. He teaches courses on physical geography, geomorphology, and remote sensing. Grants and partnerships include collaborations with US Fish & Wildlife Service, NOAA, and state agencies. His lab focuses on integrating geospatial technologies with field experiments to address coastal sustainability challenges.

• Coastal Geomorphology
• Sediment Transport
• Aeolian Processes
• +5 more

Victor Tsai is a Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown University. He specializes in seismology, geomechanics, and theoretical glaciology, with a focus on earthquake mechanics, glacial dynamics, and wave propagation. His research bridges geophysical theory and observation, addressing topics like fault network complexity, subglacial hydrology, and seismic tomography. Tsai holds a PhD from Harvard University (2009) and has been recognized with awards including the NSF CAREER Award (2015) and the Charles F. Richter Award (2014). Education: PhD (Harvard, 2009), AM (Harvard, 2006), BS (Caltech, 2004) Affiliations: Brown University (since 2019), previously at Caltech (2011–2019) Research highlights include modeling earthquake source complexity, understanding high-frequency ground motion, and developing new seismic imaging techniques. His work on glacial earthquakes and meltwater pulses has advanced climate-ice interaction studies. Collaborations span seismology, glaciology, and planetary science.

• Seismology
• Geomechanics
• Fluid-Solid Interactions
• +5 more

Jiabi Du is an Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University at Galveston, specializing in coastal oceanography and environmental modeling. His research focuses on understanding how coastal systems respond to climate change, extreme weather events like hurricanes, and human activities, with particular emphasis on hypoxia, flooding, and habitat loss. He employs advanced numerical models and long-term observations to study processes such as pollutant dispersion and larval transport in estuaries. Dr. Du holds a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (2017), an M.S. in Oceanography from Nanjing University (2012), and a B.S. in Physical Geography from Nanjing University (2010). His awards include the 2019 Institutional Postdoc Fellowship and recognition for academic excellence during his undergraduate and graduate studies. His research interests span coastal hydrodynamics, hurricane impacts, and microplastic transport. Notable contributions include studies on Galveston Bay's hydrodynamic responses to Hurricane Harvey and the role of baroclinic processes in estuarine flushing. He teaches courses in Physical Oceanography and computing. Awards: Best Student Paper (2018), Zengxianzi Scholarship (2007-2009), National Inspiration Scholarship (2007-2008). Labs/Teams: Coastal Modeling Group, Galveston Oyster Larvae Tracker Project. Future research directions include expanding microplastic pollution studies and investigating compounding climate-hurricane effects on coastal systems.

• Coastal Oceanography
• Climate Change Impacts
• Estuarine Hydrodynamics
• +3 more

Jonathan Czuba is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech's College of Engineering. His research program integrates ecological engineering with fluvial geomorphology to address riverine ecosystem dynamics under anthropogenic and climatic pressures. Key Themes: Stream restoration, river network connectivity, ecohydraulics, and plastic pollution mitigation Methods: Coupling field measurements with computational models (HEC-RAS, Landlab) Collaborations: USGS, Indiana University, University of Minnesota Research Focus: Advances understanding of how sediment and nutrient fluxes interact with vegetation, aquatic biota, and human interventions across diverse river systems. Notable work includes quantifying floodplain connectivity, modeling post-wildfire sediment cascades, and developing tools for ecohydraulic assessments. Awards: 2023 UCOW Early Career Award 2023-2024 Engineering Teaching Excellence 2024 CALS Impactful Researcher of the Month Mentorship: Actively advises graduate/undergraduate researchers in Watershed Engineering, emphasizing fieldwork, modeling, and remote sensing. Collaborates with Kyle Strom (Civil Engineering) and Doug Edmonds (Indiana University).

• River and floodplain processes
• Sediment transport
• Ecohydraulics
• +3 more

Ben Leshchinsky is a Professor and Richardson Chair in the Department of Forest Engineering, Resources & Management at Oregon State University's College of Forestry. He specializes in geotechnical engineering with focuses on landslide hazards, slope stability, and geosynthetic applications. His research integrates numerical modeling, remote sensing, and field monitoring to address natural hazard challenges in forested and coastal environments. Education: Ph.D., Civil Engineering, Columbia University (2012) M.Phil, Civil Engineering, Columbia University (2010) M.S., Civil Engineering, Columbia University (2008) B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Delaware (2007) Research Interests: Landslide dynamics and mitigation Coastal erosion forecasting Wildfire-landslide interactions Geotechnical infrastructure resilience Numerical modeling of slope failure mechanisms His recent publications emphasize landslide susceptibility modeling, coastal highway vulnerability assessment, and post-wildfire geohazard analysis. He leads the Landslide Hazards Research Lab, advancing interdisciplinary approaches to natural hazard mitigation. Advises graduate students and teaches courses on soil mechanics, geosynthetics, and slope stability analysis. Key Contributions: Developed the RegionGrow3D algorithm for 3D landslide source characterization Pioneered real-time landslide displacement monitoring techniques Advocated for climate-resilient transportation infrastructure planning

• Geotechnical Engineering
• Landslide Hazards
• Slope Stability
• +7 more

Michael Olsen is an Associate Professor of Geomatics in the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State University (OSU). He holds a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of California, San Diego, and degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Utah. His research focuses on terrestrial laser scanning, remote sensing, GIS, earthquake engineering, and 3D visualization, with applications to disaster response, hazard mapping, and infrastructure monitoring. Recent projects include developing mobile laser scanning guidelines for transportation agencies, advancing point cloud segmentation algorithms, and conducting post-disaster reconnaissance in regions like Chile, Japan, and Nepal. Education: Ph.D., Structural Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2009 M.S., Civil Engineering, University of Utah, 2005 B.S., Civil Engineering, University of Utah, 2004 Research Interests: His work bridges geomatics and civil engineering, emphasizing innovation in 3D data collection and analysis. Key areas include landslide displacement modeling, coastal erosion forecasting, and the integration of UAS (drone) imagery for damage assessment. He also explores accessibility compliance via mobile LiDAR and has pioneered courses in 3D laser scanning and Building Information Modeling at OSU. Publications Trends: Recent articles highlight advancements in automated infrastructure analysis, disaster response technologies, and hazard vulnerability assessments. His work often combines geospatial data with machine learning to address real-world challenges in transportation, environmental science, and structural safety. Awards/Recognition: None explicitly listed in provided materials. Advising & Grants: While no student advisees or grant details are specified, Olsen’s research is supported by projects with state DOTs, federal agencies, and international collaborations. His contributions include developing protocols for post-earthquake bridge restoration and asset management frameworks for transportation networks. Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the National Science Foundation’s NHERI RAPID facility and leads OSU’s efforts in geospatial hazard modeling. His work integrates field data collection with computational tools, forming a multidisciplinary approach to infrastructure resilience.

• Geomatics Engineering
• Terrestrial Laser Scanning
• Remote Sensing
• +5 more

Kristin Morell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Her research focuses on active tectonic regions, particularly subduction zones, integrating field observations, geochronology, and remote sensing techniques. Key areas of investigation include subduction zone dynamics, earthquake hazards, and landscape evolution in regions such as Alaska, Central America, Chile, Cascadia, and the Himalayas. She advises graduate students, including Josh Love, and maintains an active research lab dedicated to advancing understanding of tectonic processes and geohazards. Recent field studies have explored the Alaska subduction zone, Cascadia, and Costa Rica, with a focus on faulting mechanisms and long-term uplift patterns. Her work highlights the interplay between tectonic forces and surface processes, emphasizing the importance of integrated observational networks like SZ4D for hazard assessment. She is currently offering graduate student opportunities for Fall 2025, focusing on paleoseismology and tectonic geomorphology in these regions. Notable contributions include studies on forearc deformation, subduction obliquity effects, and the energy budget of subduction zones. Her research spans both theoretical and applied aspects, with implications for seismic hazard mitigation and geological risk management.

• Subduction Zone Dynamics
• Active Tectonics
• Earthquake Hazards
• +5 more

Kimberly Hill is a Professor at the University of Minnesota in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering and an affiliated faculty member at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. Her research focuses on granular materials, sediment transport, rheology, and debris flows, with applications to environmental and geotechnical engineering. Key Research Themes: Granular material behavior in natural and engineered systems Rheology of dense suspensions and dry granular systems Debris flow dynamics and alluvial fan morphodynamics River restoration and sediment transport modeling Recent Publications highlight interdisciplinary work on granular media, including modeling advances (2024), friction-dependent rheology (2023), and climate impacts on debris flows (2022). Her projects often integrate experimental and computational methods. Collaborations span institutions like the National Science Foundation, University of Alberta, and University of Pennsylvania, with a focus on environmental sustainability and geohazard mitigation.

• Granular Materials
• Sediment Transport
• Rheology
• +5 more

Paul Santi is a Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines. He specializes in geologic hazards research, with a focus on landslides, debris flows, and risk mitigation strategies. His academic career includes roles in education, research, and applied geotechnical studies. Education: Ph.D. in Geological Engineering from Colorado School of Mines M.S. in Geology from Texas A&M University B.S. in Geology and Physics with honors from Duke University Research interests include landslide mechanics, post-wildfire debris flow prediction, climate change impacts on geomorphology, and international hazard mitigation partnerships in Peru. His work integrates field observations, remote sensing, numerical modeling, and policy development. Publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to hazard assessment and community resilience, particularly in data-scarce environments. Notable contributions include frameworks for landslide runout scoring, debris flow avulsion analysis, and innovations in landslide susceptibility modeling. Scientific awards include multiple AEG Outstanding Student Professional Papers (2011, 2010) and recognition for landslide drain design research (2008). His work often bridges academic research with real-world applications, including disaster preparedness initiatives in Peru and post-wildfire hazard mapping in Colorado. Labs/Teams: Collaborations with international research groups in Peru, engagement with local communities for hazard awareness programs.

• Geologic Hazards
• Landslide Dynamics
• Debris Flow Mitigation
• +3 more

Dr. Habib Ahmari is an Associate Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), licensed in Texas and Ontario. With over 20 years of experience, his expertise spans environmental hydraulics, sediment transport, and fluvial geomorphology. He holds a PhD from Queen's University (2010) and advanced degrees from Sharif University (Iran). Research Focus: Urban hydrology, climate change impacts, river restoration, and hydraulic engineering. Leadership: Directed UTA's CE Department Learning Center (2016–2020), chaired ABET accreditation (2017–2020), and serves on ASCE technical committees. Grants: Secured funding from TxDOT, GLO, and NCTCOG for studies on sediment transport, bridge resilience, and coastal dynamics. His research bridges theoretical and applied engineering through projects like ArcGIS-based erosion toolkits and biofiltration swale testing. Awards include UTA's Outstanding Teaching Award (2019) and Queen's University's R. Samuel McLaughlin Fellowship (2006). Dr. Ahmari advises 40+ graduate students and teaches courses in fluid mechanics, sediment transport, and open channel hydraulics. He collaborates with agencies like Trinity River Authority and presents at international conferences such as the World Environmental & Water Resources Congress.

• Environmental Hydraulics
• Sediment Transport
• Urban Hydrology
• +6 more

Max Dahlquist is an Assistant Professor of Geology at Sewanee: The University of the South. His research focuses on geomorphology, erosion mechanisms, and landscape evolution, particularly exploring the role of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) in shaping Himalayan river valleys. He collaborates with institutions like the University of Southern California and uses innovative methods such as stream tables to simulate real-world geological processes. Dahlquist emphasizes undergraduate research involvement, fostering student engagement in projects like climate-driven erosion studies and rock fracturing analysis. His work bridges field observations, experimental modeling, and theoretical frameworks to address environmental and geological challenges. Research Interests: Dahlquist investigates how extreme events like GLOFs influence river morphology and valley geometry, as well as the interplay between climate, rock fracturing, and landscape stability. His studies in the Himalayas and Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys highlight the impact of environmental parameters on rock degradation and erosion dynamics. He advocates for standardized field methods to advance fracture-focused research and integrate climatic variables into geomorphological models. Publications: His recent work includes studies on rock memory of extreme temperatures, environmental controls on bedrock weathering, and subcritical fracture propagation. These contributions underscore the importance of understanding geological processes in the context of climate change and natural hazard mitigation. Advising & Grants: Dahlquist actively engages undergraduates in research, offering hands-on opportunities in fieldwork and laboratory analysis. His projects often involve collaborations with national agencies like the National Science Foundation, leveraging grants to explore topics such as debris flow dynamics and tectonic boundary structures.

• Geomorphology
• Erosion
• Landscape Evolution
• +3 more