We conduct a wide range of applied and basic coastal research. Check out our Google Scholar page for more details.
Check out our latest research product: an AI-based Coastal Forecast App that runs in the cloud and provides continuous nearshore wave forecast in the US Atlantic Coast.
Coastal forecast using AI
Surf zone dynamics
Tsunami hazards
Wave-structure interaction
Coastal flooding
Coastal structure design
Student Opportunities
We always look for motivated students to join our team!
Depending on your interest, you will learn hands-on job skills for coastal modeling, coastal analysis, and machine learning applications.
Contact Us
Zhangping (John) Wei, PhD, PE | Assistant Professor of Coastal Engineering
Department of Physics & Physical Oceanography, UNC Wilmington, 601 S College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28403 | Email: weiz(at)uncw.edu
Coastal forecast
We apply deep learning models to forecast coastal processes including wind waves, storm surges, and total water levels.
Surf zone dynamics
We study the fundamentals of breaking waves and the momentum and energy transfer from high-frequency waves to low-frequency nearshore circulation.
Tsunami hazards
We study the propagation and inundation of tsunamis in the nearshore zone and tsunami-structure interaction.
Wave-structure interaction
We study the interaction between ocean waves with coastal structures to address challenges in the areas of renewable ocean energy and hazard mitigation.
Coastal flooding
We study coastal flooding due to storm surges and compound flooding caused by coastal and riverine floods.
Coastal structure design
We design coastal structures to support coastal resiliency threatened by climate change and sea-level rise.