March 6, 2026 Our new paper, “Investigation of Wave Attenuation by Rhizophora apiculata Mangroves: Coupled Laboratory Experiments and Boussinesq Modeling,” has been published in Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. This study investigates wave attenuation by Rhizophora apiculata mangroves through a combination of laboratory experiments and numerical modeling. A new vegetation module was developed within a […]
Continue reading "New Paper: Boussinesq Modeling of Wave Attenuation by Mangroves"Category: News
Dr. Chang Interviewed in The Boston Globe’s “Innovators Q&A”
January 26, 2026 Dr. Chang was interviewed in The Boston Globe’s “Innovators Q&A,” where he discussed his research on coastal resilience, nature-based solutions, and his recently funded project. 👉 Read the full story: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2026/01/26/metro/ri-innovator-shoreline-seawall-plants/?event=event12
Continue reading "Dr. Chang Interviewed in The Boston Globe’s “Innovators Q&A”"AGU25 in New Orleans, LA
December 17, 2025 Dr. Chang presented recent progress in laboratory studies of wave-induced forces on mangroves at AGU 2025 (New Orleans, LA). Session:Ecohydraulics and Ecomorphodynamics: Biophysical Interactions in Natural and Engineered Aquatic Systems Presentation title:“Wave-Induced Forces on Vegetation: Large-Scale Flume Experiments with a Real Mangrove Tree” It was a great opportunity to exchange ideas and […]
Continue reading "AGU25 in New Orleans, LA"New Lab Member: Katie Aaronson
New NSF Grant on Wave–Current–Vegetation Interactions
August 20, 2025 Excited to announce that Dr. Chang has received a new NSF grant to study wave–current–vegetation interactions through laboratory flume experiments. This project will advance understanding of coastal hydrodynamics and contribute to the science of resilient coastlines. 👉 Read the full story in Rhody Today: https://lnkd.in/ekdXXQ7N
Continue reading "New NSF Grant on Wave–Current–Vegetation Interactions"NHERI RAPID Facility Workshop
August 4, 2025 Dr. Chang participated in the NSF NHERI RAPID Facility 2025 Intensive Training Workshop (July 22-25, 2025) to learned how to use the RAPID Facility for pre- and post-event field data collection. It was also a great opportunity to connect with others in the hazard and resilience research community and learn about new […]
Continue reading "NHERI RAPID Facility Workshop"Dr. Chang Received CEJ Citation Award 2024
Dr. Chang received the Coastal Engineering Journal (CEJ) Citation Award 2024 for a widely cited review paper on how coastal forests protect against tsunami, storm surge, and wind waves.
Continue reading "Dr. Chang Received CEJ Citation Award 2024"MS Thesis Defense: Felipe Espinoza
July 30, 2025 Felipe Espinoza successfully defended his MS thesis in Ocean Engineering today! His research brought together numerical modeling and lab data analysis to study wave attenuation by mangroves — great work on a challenging topic! Well done, Felipe! 👏 🌊 Big thanks to the committee and faculty for their support:Drs. Nick Pizzo, Chris […]
Continue reading "MS Thesis Defense: Felipe Espinoza"New Paper: Field Study on Wave-Induced Mangrove Failure
June 15, 2025 Check out our new paper on a field experiment studying the critical wave conditions that lead to mechanical failure of Rhizophora stylosa mangroves! The field study tested the physical limits of mangrove resistance under wave forcing — an important step toward designing nature-based coastal defenses. Congrats to the team! 🎉 “Field experiment […]
Continue reading "New Paper: Field Study on Wave-Induced Mangrove Failure"E-Week 2025: Undergraduate Research Showcase
April 21, 2025 Shoutout to our URISE students for presenting their research at the Undergraduate Research Showcase during E-Week 2025! Presentation title: The Effect of Rigid and Flexible Vegetation on Waves, and Sediment Transport in a Sloped Beach Environment Alex, Chris, Eleni, Heather, and Kitara shared their wave flume experiments investigating how coastal vegetation influences […]
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