Who We Are
The Center for Coastal Solutions is an interdisciplinary research team whose aim is to advance our understanding of coastal ecosystems and generate innovative solutions that inform and address complex coastal challenges.
We are ecologists, engineers, hydrologists, data scientists, geologists, restoration experts, geospatial specialists, and we collaborate with experts in many other fields. Our collective efforts are helping build the scientific foundation and technological toolbox for restoring ecosystems, building community resilience and adapting to changing conditions.
We’re passionate problem solvers, radical collaborators, optimistic communicators and dedicated educators. We’re on a mission to deliver the best available science and solutions for reversing the trajectory of our coasts!
Leadership
Andrew Altieri, Ph.D., is an environmental engineering sciences assistant professor and leads the center’s nature-based solutions program, which harnesses natural features to sustainably manage ecosystems and promote their resilience. His childhood adventures snorkeling and scuba diving sparked his passion for coastal environments.
Areas of expertise:
- Coral reef ecology
- Anthropogenic impacts
- Coastal resilience/restoration
- Nature-based solutions
Program lead: Nature-based solutions
David Kaplan, Ph.D., environmental engineering sciences professor and director of the H.T. Odum Center for Wetlands, spearheads the center’s optimizing water quality solutions program to inform decisions for improved water quality management at Lake Okeechobee.
“It’s a cliché to say water is life, we like to add water quality is health.”
Areas of expertise:
- Water quality
- Harmful algal blooms
- Hydrology
Program lead: Optimizing water quality solutions
As lead of the forecasting coastal hazards program, Maitane Olabarrieta, Ph.D., associate professor in civil and coastal engineering, plays a key role in delivering forecasting systems for tropical cyclone impacts to enhance hurricane response and community preparedness. In her free time, she enjoys traveling in her R/V.
Areas of expertise:
- Coastal hazards
- Hurricanes and tropical cyclones
- Coastal and oceanographic engineering
Program lead: Forecasting coastal hazards
Sharon Ryan steers strategic planning, action planning and stakeholder engagement for large-scale, multidisciplinary projects, and leads communications and partnership initiatives for the center. Her facilitation approaches are designed to be inclusive of multiple perspectives, support teams to do their best thinking, and foster ownership of results.
Areas of expertise:
- Facilitation
- Strategy
- Science communications
- Partnerships | Development
Nina Stark, Ph.D., assistant professor in the civil and coastal engineering department, co-manages the CCS field operations and serves as the faculty lead of the coastal and marine geotechnics research group at the University of Florida. Her hands-on work promotes more resilient infrastructure in the face of rising coastal hazards.
“Since I get to do field work all over the globe, I think I’ve visited some of the most unique places in the world during my job.”
Areas of expertise:
- Coastal and marine geotechnics
- Seabed mechanics
- Beach trafficability
- Coastal and riverine morphodynamics and structure-seabed interaction
- Geotechnical storm and flood reconnaissance and mitigation
Staff
Stacey Dolan keeps the CCS running smoothly on a day-to-day basis by managing projects including Florida’s Digital Twin, supporting our leadership team and coordinating special events. Her childhood summers at Mass Audubon’s Wachusett Meadow Wildlife Sanctuary sparked her deep connection to nature.
Areas of expertise:
- Ecology
- Research coordination
Ron Fick, Ph.D., leverages remotely sensed data to better understand water quality conditions and mitigate issues like red tide. He co-developed the septic to sewer conversion optimizer tool, which supports managers in saving time and money to convert from septic to sewer systems, and is an avid Gators fan.
Areas of expertise:
- Remote sensing
- Artificial intelligence / machine learning
- Red tide
Program: Optimizing water quality solutions, Florida’s Digital Twin
Tricia Kyzar, Ph.D., creates maps and analyzes its data for environmental and urban planning policy. She co-developed the septic to sewer optimizer tool and the land conservation tool to help prioritize conservation and septic-to-sewer projects.
She enjoys kayaking and hiking to appreciate the nature she works to protect.
Areas of expertise:
- Geographic information systems
- Septic systems
- Spatial analysis
Programs: Florida Digital Twin, Optimizing water quality solutions
Patrick Norby is part of the coastal research support unit who are critical to data collection and the production of high-quality science. He co-coordinates projects, supports logistics, maintains instruments, manages data and oversees some of our research labs. His work helps form and fuel the center’s groundbreaking research.
“I feel lucky to be part of the crew that goes out into the field, gets muddy and rained on, because it’s what I’ve always wanted to do.”
Areas of expertise:
- Boat operations
- Instrument maintenance
- Logistical support
- Data sampling
Enrique Orozco Lopez, Ph.D., leverages artificial intelligence to better predict harmful algal blooms, salinity and water quality to support Caloosahatchee River water managers in delivering freshwater while minimizing the negative impacts of nutrient loads from horticultural activities.
“The most exciting part of working with the CCS is figuring out how to solve complex environmental problems by using state-of-the-art technologies.”
Areas of expertise:
- Artificial intelligence/machine learning
- Time series analysis
- Contaminant fate and transport
Program: Optimizing water quality solutions
As a field technician in the coastal research support unit, Charli Pezoldt co-coordinates project logistics, maintains instruments and manages field data for numerous experiments and projects. Charli ensures the smooth and safe execution of research initiatives across Florida.
“When I get to go out and work with different people in the field and see what research is being done in such a close and personal way, it drives me to help in any way.”
Areas of expertise:
- Boat operations and scientific diving
- Instrument maintenance
Postdoctoral Research Associate Patrick Saldaña, Ph.D., is a marine community ecologist leading several research projects in Panamanian coral reefs to uncover mechanisms of resilience that may enhance coral reef restoration and management. He enjoys surfing and bossa nova guitar.
Areas of expertise:
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- Marine ecological processes
- Legacy effects
- Coral reef dynamics
Megan manages the center’s Coastal Edges e-newsletter, social media accounts and website, and supports event planning. Through her storytelling, she makes the center‘s research more accessible to a diverse audience.
“I like working at the CCS because in addition to all the brilliant people I get to work with, it’s a source of optimism for our future.”
Areas of expertise:
- Digital media
- Content creation
- Event planning
Sharlynn Sweeney, Ph.D., manages and coordinates a wide variety of CCS projects and events. She oversees the tracking of CCS publications, personnel and assets, ensuring successful execution of initiatives from inception to completion.
“The CCS stands out in that we are focused on producing actionable insights and tools.”
Areas of expertise:
- Project management
- Research coordination
- Event planning
A biologist by training, Todd Van Natta oversees the center’s coastal field research, leading field operations for multiple projects in various locations throughout Florida and Southeastern USA. This fieldwork powers hands-on training that the center offers to students.
“When I’m underwater, I’m at peace and I can’t imagine any other place I’d rather be.”
Areas of expertise:
- Boating and scientific diving operations
- Equipment maintenance
- Team leader
Advisory Board
Robert Bailey brings more than 40 years of experience from his career in global water consulting and as president of CH2M’s Water Business. Previously, he was a member of the Global Water Agenda Council for the World Economic Forum and served on Governor DeSantis’ transition team for water, the environment and agriculture.
Heather Barron, Ph.D., is a licensed wildlife and sea turtle rehabilitator with more than 25 years of experience in researching, practicing and teaching wildlife medicine. She now serves as chief science officer and veterinarian for Loggerhead Marinelife Center. Her research interests focus on the intersection of wildlife, human and environmental health and she has published widely in her field.
Brian Beach is the president of Beachside Strategy and works with organizations to develop the vision and models for innovation and transformation. Brian was most recently senior vice president, customer experience and Sysco Labs at Sysco Corporation, a $75+ billion, global company. He was part of the executive leadership team, responsible for innovation strategy, digital transformation, customer experience, enterprise analytics, business development, customer segment strategy and corporate ventures.
Tracy Fanara, Ph.D., is a coastal modeling portfolio manager for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the creator of “Inspector Planet.” She previously was guest host of the Discovery Channel show “Myth-Busters” and served as the environmental health programs manager for Mote Marine Laboratory.
Elizabeth Gadsby, Ph.D., is the head of program management and operations at Bloomer Tech, and Founder and innovation executive consultant of eGad Innovation. She has more than 20 years of progressive leadership in new product commercialization, operations and technology development. Gadsby also serves on multiple advisory boards, including those for the UF Foundation National Board, UF Foundation Talent Management, Georgia Tech College of Sciences and Desire Street Ministries.
Drew Jeter has more than 36 years of experience leading the development and delivery of technically complex, multi-billion-dollar facilities and infrastructure. He joined AECOM as global program management chief executive after holding global program management leadership roles at Hill International, Jacobs and CH2M where he oversaw the delivery of more than $300 billion of capital infrastructure programs.
Jen Lomberk, Esq., is the executive director of Matanzas Riverkeeper, chair of Waterkeepers Florida and serves on the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve Management Advisory Group. She previously served as the staff attorney for Alachua Conservation Trust and the director of special projects for the University of Florida Levin College of Law Conservation Clinic.
Scott Pressly is a managing partner at 10 Point Capital and his career includes more than two decades of private equity, brand management and franchise expertise. He utilizes his franchise accelerator model to support entrepreneurs to create dominant franchise brands. Previously, he was the co-founder and managing partner of BIP Capital and has held leadership roles with The Walt Disney Company and Dow Chemical USA.
Bruce Rogow is a founding member at Prometheus Endeavor and a private counselor for CIOs and CEOs for digital information technology management efforts. Rogow empowers enterprises to thrive as digitally enhanced businesses. He has been an ICEX principal since 2014 and is the former vice president and head of worldwide research for Gartner Group.
Kevin Taylor provides individuals and business owners with wealth management solutions, including investments, risk management, estate and tax planning, insurance planning as well as qualified and nonqualified retirement and benefit plans. He relies on the knowledge he has gained from business, legal and tax education to offer wealth advice to help clients reach their goals. Taylor believes the financial planning process should reflect clients’ vision and values, and designs strategies that are flexible as their needs and goals change.
Alumni
Christine Angelini, Ph.D., associate professor of environmental engineering sciences, leads a Presidential Strategic Initiative to develop digital twin technologies in collaboration with multiple units that inform decisions for Florida’s natural resources, community’s health, economic prosperity and sustainable urban planning. She is a Peloton buff and has always felt her best at the ocean.
Areas of expertise:
- Water quality
- Nature-based solutions
- Coastal engineering
- Marsh ecology
Program lead: Florida’s Digital Twin
Orlando Cordero oversees the remote sensing tools and geospatial activities for the center’s projects. He gathers vast amounts of data accurately, quickly and cost-effectively using a variety of tools and resources in his work, such as terrestrial LiDAR and unmanned aerial systems.
“A day in the field is great because I get to work with cutting-edge equipment and always have a great support team with me.”
Areas of expertise:
- Remote sensing
- Geospatial data processing and management
- Geospatial equipment
Hallie Fischman, Ph.D., studies how plants and animals structure coastal ecosystems to guide the management and restoration of these habitats. Her work on nature-based solutions spans a variety of coastal habitats including sand dunes, salt marshes, and oyster reefs.
Areas of expertise:
- Community ecology
- Coastal restoration
- Nature-based solutions
Jose Gonzalez Ondina, Ph.D., runs programs that simulate the behavior of the ocean. He co-developed Sailfish, an artificial intelligence (AI) model that will forecast water conditions 1,000 times faster than current models and empower communities with climate predictions.
Ondina means “water nymph” and “small wave” in Spanish — fitting for his work.
Areas of expertise:
- Artificial intelligence
- Numerical modeling
- Computational fluid dynamics
Programs: Florida Digital Twin, Forecasting coastal hazards
Jorge Armando Laurel Castillo, Ph.D., collects and analyzes data on ocean-river interactions in the Peace River, Florida, and their effects on the estuary’s water quality. This was key to identifying changes in the river’s water quality and strategies for improvement.
“I find it important to see how we can contribute to society and make a better place to live.”
Areas of expertise:
- Environmental fluid dynamics
- Transport processes
- Computational fluid dynamics
Program: Forecasting coastal hazards
Marine ecologist Beatriz Marin-Diaz, Ph.D., leads monitoring and experimental field research using nature-based solutions at Tyndall Air Force Base, which will mitigate habitat loss and increase the base’s resilience against future climate and extreme weather events.
She is also an artist and often features waves in her paintings.
Areas of expertise:
- Nature-based solutions
- Coastal processes
- Ecosystem restoration
Program: Nature-based solutions
Joe Morton, Ph.D., conducts experiments to increase the speed and efficacy of coastal dune restoration projects, which strengthens our coast’s natural defense to protect communities from storms and erosion. These Insights equip managers with data-driven guidance for beach nourishment and restoration.
“I can be sure when I come into work every day that the research I am producing is going to be translated into meaningful policy that will affect people’s lives.”
Areas of expertise:
- Community ecology
- Dune restoration
Program: Nature-based solutions
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