Dominic Van der A

Dominic Van der A is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering at the University of Aberdeen, specializing in coastal engineering with a focus on wave-induced hydrodynamics and sediment transport processes. His research employs advanced experimental techniques in the university's Fluid Mechanics laboratory using optical and acoustic instrumentation.

His primary research interests include oscillatory boundary layer flows, sediment transport mechanisms, breaking wave hydrodynamics, beach morphodynamics, wave-structure interactions, stratified shear flows, and wave-vegetation interactions. He utilizes Particle Image Velocimetry, Laser Doppler Anemometry, and acoustic techniques (ACVP, ADV, ABS) to measure flow velocities and sediment concentrations in challenging coastal environments.

His publication record demonstrates consistent research output in high-impact journals like Coastal Engineering and Journal of Geophysical Research, with recent work focusing on wave-vegetation interactions, sediment transport modeling, and large-scale wave breaking phenomena. His experimental approach emphasizes direct physical measurements to develop practical engineering tools for addressing climate change challenges in coastal zones.

• Reviewer for: Journal of Geophysical Research, Coastal Engineering, Journal of Fluid Mechanics
• Member: International Association of Hydraulic Research
• Scientific Committee: Coastlab18 Conference, 9th International Symposium on Environmental Hydraulics
• Organizer: 9th UK Young Coastal Scientists and Engineers Conference

Van der A actively supervises PhD students and secures significant research funding, including NERC grants totaling over £500k for projects addressing gravel beach resilience and industrial particle transport in coastal environments. His Fluid Mechanics laboratory serves as the primary research space where he conducts hands-on experimental work using state-of-the-art equipment to investigate fundamental coastal processes.