People

Dr. Joe Long

I study a wide range of processes in nearshore coastal regions. This includes nearshore hydrodynamics (e.g., waves and currents) and the erosion/accretion of beaches, sand dunes, and barrier islands. My research primarily focuses on understanding these different processes, describing how they interact with each other, and developing numerical models to predict the hazards they can create to people and ecosystems along the coast.

• CV

Jeremy Braun

I am a graduate student working towards a M.S in Geosciences at UNCW. I graduated from the University of Maine with a B.S. in Earth Sciences in 2021. My master’s thesis focuses on quantifying post-nourishment shoreline evolution with web-camera imagery at Oak Island, North Carolina. The project closely aligns with my career goals of providing a scientific basis for decision-making as a means to ensure the future sustainability of coastal communities. Outside of academia, I spend a lot of time lounging at the beach, working out at the gym, and/or watching some of my favorite sports teams.

Matthew Vincent

I am a geoscience masters student interested in studying coastal evolution and resiliency. My research focuses on decadal scale modeling of barrier islands. When I am not working on research, I enjoy hiking, camping, and visiting the beach.

Summer Banning

I am a junior at UNCW majoring in oceanography, hoping to graduate in May of 2023. I'm currently working with Dr. Long on the CoastSnap Kure project, tracking shoreline change using citizen science. I grew up on the beach and am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue exploring the ins and outs of the ocean.

Drew Davey

I am senior in the new Coastal Engineering program here at UNCW. I am from Edenton, NC and I chose to study Coastal Engineering to make a contribution to the protection of our coastal communities. Most of the research I have been involved in has focused on beach morphology and sediment transport processes, and I am currently working with Dr. Long on utilizing machine learning to monitor boat traffic in the Intracoastal Waterway. In my spare time I enjoy sailing, surfing, jiu-jitsu, and rock-climbing.

Jesse Beckman - M.S. Geoscience December, 2021

Thesis: Investigating Controls on Barrier Island Overwash and Evolution during Extreme Storms (check out his PAPER)

Jesse is currently pursing his PhD at Northeastern Univerity in Boston, MA

Shannon Brown - M.S. Geoscience May, 2021

Thesis: Using satellite data and the Kalman Filter to improve analysis of historical shoreline trends from 1984 to the present and future projections along the U.S. Atlantic coast

Shannon is currently a Research Physical Scientist at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Field Research Facility in Duck, NC

Deanna Edwing - B.S. Oceanography May, 2021

Honor's thesis "Comparing Modeled Wave Characteristics in Coastal Waters of the Cape Fear Region with Direct Wave Measurements". Deanna was also the winner of the 2019 SECOORA Student Data Challenge

Deanna is currently working towards her Masters and PhD degree at the University of Delaware.

Kelsea Edwing - B.S. Oceanography May, 2021

Honor's thesis "Using Citizen Science to Observe Shoreline Change on Kure Beach, North Carolina". Kelsea was also the winner of the 2019 SECOORA Student Data Challenge

Kelsea is currently working towards her Masters and PhD degree at the University of Delaware.

Taylor Prody - B.S. Oceanography May, 2020

Honor's thesis "Analysis of errors in storm surge predictions and potential impacts to coastal change forecasts".

Taylor is currently residing in Richmond, VA and raising a beautiful family!