The coastal zone is shaped by sea level change, wave action, geological characteristics, and human decisions. These processes are spatially continuous, therefore techniques that monitor larger regions, such as remote sensing and numerical modeling, allow for a more detailed understanding of the drivers of coastal change. In Laura’s research, she applies these techniques to understand how waves and shoreline erosion evolve during storm events. Her main area of focus is the sandy beaches of the Outer Banks, North Carolina, USA. Here, the rate of erosion is so high that local infrastructure is critically threatened and her research informs better approaches to mitigate local-scale coastal risk.
For upcoming interviews check out the Grad Chat webpage on Queen’s University School of Graduate Studies & Postdoctoral Affairs website