This research investigates coastal adaptation strategies for low-lying coral islands through an interdisciplinary approach that combines coastal engineering, reef geomorphology, and social feasibility assessments. The project evaluates the opportunities and limitations of adaptation approaches such as hard and soft engineering solutions, land reclamation and elevation (“vertical adaptation”), ecosystem-based solutions, and hybrid strategies within the environmental and socio-economic constraints of atoll environments. Developed in partnership with the UNDP Tuvalu Coastal Adaptation Project, this work also incorporates stakeholder interviews conducted across Funafuti, Tuvalu, to better understand local perspectives, priorities, concerns, and expectations surrounding future adaptation pathways.

Reports to UNDP in prep

Role: Co-Chief Investigator

2025 to 2026

This research integrates coral reef surveys, hydrodynamic measurements, remote sensing, and geospatial analyses to investigate the eco-morphodynamic interactions between reef condition, wave processes, sediment transport, and island evolution. The study focuses on understanding how environmental stressors such as marine heatwaves, tropical cyclones, and climate change alter coral reef structure and sediment dynamics, ultimately influencing the resilience and stability of reef-associated coastlines and islands across multiple spatial and temporal scales. Main study region is the Great Barrier Reef, with particular focus on One Tree Reef, and recently expanded to Tuvalu in Funafuti atoll.

Peer-reviewed publications available

Role: Post-Doc | Research Students Supervisor

2023 to present

This research combines field-based hydrodynamic measurements and process-based numerical modelling to investigate the interactions between seagrass ecosystems and coastal hydrodynamics. In partnership with the SIMS Restore project in Sydney and Flinders University in Adelaide, we are examining how seagrass restoration influences wave attenuation, flow dynamics, and sediment processes. More recently, we have been applying a simplified HySwash modelling approach to test how the spatial distribution of seagrass restoration plots affects their interaction with hydrodynamic processes and coastal protection potential.

Publications in prep

Role: Collaborator | Research Students Supervisor

2024 to present

This research used morphological measurements (topo-bathymetric surveys and remote sensing), numerical modelling (Delft3D) and atmospheric pattern clustering in order to investigate a natural headland bypassing process. The study is focused on short (months to years) and long-term (years to decades) variability of the bypassing process and the potential relation to weather types and climate indexes that induce the regional wave climate.

PhD Thesis and Peer-reviewed publications available

Role: PhD Candidate

2019 to 2022

This pilot project aims to evaluate the potential of a 1D numerical model (ShorelineS) to reproduce the headland bypassing process around Cape Byron within a feasible timeframe. Additional numerical modelling and remote sensing techniques are used to expand the understanding of the study area and compare to the ShorelineS results.

Report provided to the New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.

Role: Research Assistant - Remote Sensing

2021

The evolution of Anderson Inlet was analysed through remote-sensing techniques (GIS) to characterize the migration of the flood-tidal delta deposits as well as shoreline and vegetation line position from 1950 to 2020. The observed variability was related to the progressive erosion condition at Surf Beach.

Report provided to South Gippsland Conservation Society Inc.

Role: Research Assistant

2020

The Seaway ebb delta growth was analysed through its morphological features evolution from 2011 to 2019 using bathymetry difference plots and volume calculations as well as remote-sensing (GIS) of delta area, sandbar position and shoreline migration.

Report provided to Gold Coast Waterways Authority (GCWA)

Role: Research Assistant

2019 to 2020

Beach monitoring with topo-bathymetric surveys undertaken between June 2018 and January 2020 and remote-sensing analysis (2010-2018) in a GIS environment were applied to investigate the Fingal Head sand bypassing mechanism, considering shoreline changes of the adjacent beaches, sandbars migration and probable physical drivers.

Report provided to Tweed Sand Bypassing (TSB)

Role: Research Assistant/PhD candidate

2018 to 2020

This study investigated the natural patterns of variability of the Noosa inlet estabilished after decades of adaptation to the new configuration of the river system resulted from man-made structures installed in the 1970-80’s. Features such as the Northern Spit, Southern Spit, flood-tidal deltas, river channel and surrounding shorelines were mapped, measured and compared based on aerial images from recent years (2010-2018) in a Geographic Information System (GIS).

Role: Research Assistant

2019

This research focused on using the morphology of former shorelines preserved in beach‑foredune ridges (BFR) within a protected embayment to reconstruct changes in predominant wave directions in the Subtropical South Atlantic during the last ~ 3000 years. These analyses reveal multi‑centennial cycles of oscillation in predominant wave direction in agreement with changes in sea level pressure systems and large-scale climate drivers.

Bachelor/Masters Thesis

2015 to 2018

The project aim was to obtain water quality measurements of the coastal lagoons in Santa Catarina, Brazil. Parameters such as oxygen, salinity, temperature, pH and turbidity were obtained in situ. Water samples were collected for analysis of dissolved nutrients (e.g. Nitrate, Ammonia, Phosphate, Chlorophyll A).

Role: Research Intern

2010 to 2012