معرفی
Associate Professor of Ocean Engineering at Texas A&M University, Galveston, and Director of Graduate Programs specializing in coastal resilience and flood-risk management. His work integrates field observations, numerical modeling, and nature-based solutions to address coastal erosion and storm impacts.
Education:
- Ph.D., University of Delaware, 2010
- M.Eng, Civil Engineering, University of Delaware, 2007
- Dipl.-Ing, Civil Engineering, University of Karlsruhe (TH), 2005
Research Focus: Dr. Figlus investigates sediment transport, dune morphodynamics, and wave processes with emphasis on nature-based coastal protection and storm-resilient infrastructure. His research bridges engineering and ecology to develop sustainable solutions for barrier island systems, particularly through vegetation-stabilized dunes and hybrid defense designs.
Publication Trends: Recent work (2011-2023) demonstrates consistent focus on dune-vegetation interactions during extreme events, numerical modeling of coastal evolution, and innovative flood-risk reduction strategies. Key advancements include quantifying root reinforcement effects, meteotsunami dynamics during hurricanes, and submerged berm applications for beach restoration.
Awards & Recognition:
- Fulbright Scholar
- ASCE Excellence in Civil Engineering Education (ExCEEd) Fellow
- Tulla Medal, University of Karlsruhe
- Distinguished Partner, Institute for a Disaster Resilient Texas (IDRT)
Academic Leadership: Directs the Coastal Engineering Lab (CEL) advising nine graduate students across Ph.D. and M.Sc. programs. Leads NSF IRES fellowships and industry collaborations with Bryant Consultants. CEL research has secured funding for projects on vessel wake impacts, mega-nourishment evolution, and post-storm recovery modeling.
Lab Operations: The CEL at Galveston's PMEC facility conducts experimental and field studies using advanced instrumentation for wave-tank simulations, sediment transport analysis, and real-world coastal monitoring, with recent student awards including WODCON Best Paper recognition.
