Matthew A. Reidenbach

Matthew A. Reidenbach is a Professor and Department Chair of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia, with a courtesy appointment in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. His research focuses on coastal oceanography, particularly the interplay between hydrodynamics and marine ecosystems, including coral reefs, seagrass meadows, and oyster reefs. He investigates topics such as larval transport, wave dynamics, and nature-based coastal resilience strategies. His work emphasizes ecological engineering solutions for climate change adaptation, combining field observations with computational modeling.

Reidenbach holds a Ph.D. (2004) and M.S. (1998) in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Stanford University, and a B.S. (1997) from Cornell University. He has received prestigious awards including the NSF Career Award and the University of Virginia’s All-University Teaching Award. His research group utilizes advanced techniques like LiDAR remote sensing, PIV flow visualization, and eddy covariance systems to study coastal processes.

Key research themes include: 1) Biophysical interactions in marine ecosystems (e.g., mussel aggregations, sponge filtration); 2) Coastal protection via living breakwaters; 3) Ecosystem metabolism and nutrient cycling in tidal systems. He collaborates with engineers and ecologists to bridge theoretical and applied science, addressing real-world challenges like sea-level rise and habitat restoration.

• Notable grants: NSF CAREER award, collaborative NSF projects on biophysical feedbacks
• Labs: Coastal Ecosystem Dynamics Lab, affiliated with UVA’s Batten Institute for Climate Theory and Practice
• Public engagement: Advises on oyster reef restoration strategies for Chesapeake Bay and Gulf Coast communities