Growing up in Taiwan, where typhoons and coastal storms were a regular occurrence, Chu-En Hsu developed a deep fascination with the ocean and the forces shaping his surroundings. This interest eventually led him far from home to the University of Florida, where he earned his doctorate degree in coastal and oceanographic engineering. As a graduate student under the mentorship of Maitane Olabarrieta, Ph.D., civil and coastal engineering professor and a leading expert in coastal hydrodynamics, Hsu studied how the ocean moves during tropical cyclones.
Hsu’s journey wasn’t easy. Moving to a new country meant adjusting to a different academic culture and language. Although he knew some English, speaking about complex environmental systems, participating in class, and presenting his research were all challenging.
“Dr. Olabarrieta was always very understanding, patient and supportive,” said Hsu. “It’s always been easy to reach out and have a discussion, even during the pandemic. I’m lucky I met Dr. Olabarrieta and did amazing research with her.”
Olabarrieta’s mentorship has been invaluable at various points in his career. When Hsu first considered becoming a professor, he looked for teaching opportunities to complement his background in research.
“I realized that if I wanted to be a professor, I needed relevant experience. So, I reached out to Dr. Olabarrieta, and she kindly gave me the opportunity to help prepare course modules with her,” said Hsu. “This hands-on experience was crucial for my development as an educator.”
Today, Hsu applies his research and teaching expertise as an assistant professor at the University of North Florida (UNF), where he teaches hydraulic engineering and passes on the lessons he learned as a graduate student.
“When I was a Ph.D. student, I encountered situations that were out of my control,” said Hsu. “As a teacher, I can support students in unexpected situations who may think they don’t know enough or that they’re alone. Students will face problems, and it’s important to learn how to face them, come up with solutions and move forward.”
“It has been a true pleasure to work with Chu-En Hsu, whose collaborative spirit and enthusiasm have made our time together both productive and enjoyable,” said Olabarrieta. “His dedication, intellectual curiosity and drive for excellence have been evident throughout his research journey, particularly in his passion for understanding extreme storms and their impacts. I am thrilled for his next chapter as an assistant professor and confident that his future work will continue to make a lasting impact. Watching him grow as a researcher and scholar has been immensely rewarding, and I look forward to all that he will accomplish in the future.”
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By Josue Zuniga