Cheryl J. Hapke

Cheryl J. Hapke is a Research Professor at the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science, specializing in coastal geology. She holds a Ph.D. in Coastal Geology and serves as Coordinator for the Florida Coastal Mapping Program, an initiative to deliver high-resolution bathymetric data across Florida's coastal waters within a decade. Her research addresses coastal hazards like inundation, storms, and erosion through geomorphic evolution studies of barrier islands, rocky coasts, and estuarine systems.

• Academic Rank: Research Professor
• University: University of South Florida
• School: College of Marine Science
• Role: Coordinator, Florida Coastal Mapping Program

Dr. Hapke's work emphasizes probabilistic frameworks for forecasting coastal resilience, leveraging multibeam bathymetry and LiDAR technologies. Her research spans global coastal systems, with a focus on Fire Island (NY), Tampa Bay (FL), and the California coast, addressing sediment budgets, shoreline change, and storm impacts. The Florida Coastal Mapping Program supports applications in navigation, restoration, fisheries management, and community resilience planning.

Dr. Hapke's recent publications highlight advancements in bathymetric data collection, morphodynamic modeling, and coastal hazard adaptation tools. Her interdisciplinary approach integrates remote sensing, historical data, and numerical models to understand coastal vulnerabilities and inform policy decisions.