PSDS names 6 research fellows
Six distinguished scientists from around the globe have been appointed research fellows with Western Carolina University’s Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines.
Collectively, the group represents more than 100 years of experience conducting coastal research, have authored dozens of books, and have active research projects extending from the Black Sea to South Africa, said Rob Young, PSDS director.
They are David Bush, professor of geosciences, University of West Georgia; Andrew Cooper, professor of environmental sciences, University of Ulster, Northern Ireland; Joseph Kelley, professor of earth sciences, University of Maine; William Neal, professor emeritus of geology, Grand Valley State University, Mich.; Benjamin Tanner, assistant professor of geosciences and natural resources, Western Carolina University; and Arthur Trembanis, assistant professor of earth, ocean and environment, University of Delaware.
“We are proud to announce our inaugural class of research fellows at the Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines. This is a group of distinguished researchers from other institutions who regularly collaborate with us on research projects and publications,” said Young. “They all are world-class researchers, and their association with our program will only increase our ability to conduct internationally relevant coastal management research.”
Young recently has been asked to brief the Mexican minister of tourism, Rodolfo Elizondo Torres, on coastal management strategies for Mexican resort beaches. “If we are going to take our work global, we need to have a group of associates that can support our research needs,” Young said. “That’s what this group represents.”
Founded at Duke University in 1986 by Orrin H. Pilkey, the James B. Duke Professor Emeritus of the Earth Sciences at Duke, PSDS relocated to WCU in 2006 under the guidance of Young, a former student of Pilkey.
The program has become an internationally known advocate for responsible coastal management policies that consider and balance economic and environmental interests. The program emphasizes research focusing on beach replenishment and other forms of shoreline stabilization, hazard risk mapping on barrier islands, sedimentary processes on shorefaces, and mitigation of hurricane property damage on barrier islands.
For more information about PSDS or the new research fellows, visit psds.wcu.edu or call 828-227-7519.
