As a researcher focused on the physical and engineering role of coastal ecosystems altering water currents, sediment transport and the geomorphological evolution of coasts, Jorge E. San Juan’s move this summer from Minnesota to North Carolina — with its 3,375 coastline miles — just makes sense. 

San Juan joined CCEE’s coastal engineering team as an assistant professor in August after previously serving as a postdoctoral associate affiliated with the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering at the St. Anthony Fall Lab at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. His research seeks to develop nature-based solutions to improve management, restoration, and conservation practices to build more resilient coastal communities, This includes looking at the impact of benthic communities — such as vegetation and oyster reefs — on waves and currents and its effect on sediment transport and mixing in coastal environments. 

San Juan, who earned his B.S. in civil engineering from the Universidad de Cartagena in Colombia and his M.S. and Ph.D. in civil engineering from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, said he feels “hopeful about this new chapter in North Carolina” for his family and is “excited” about getting to explore the Triangle area. He will teach hydraulics course CE 282 starting in the spring semester of 2024.

“I will enjoy being part of such a diverse group of faculty and staff. I look forward to developing a leading research program in coastal eco-hydraulics and eco-morphodynamics and teaching classes addressing pressing problems in water resources and coastal engineering.”