User:Jdloftis

Dr. Derek Loftis is a Research Assistant Professor working in the Center for Coastal Resources Management and the Virginia Commonwealth Center for Recurrent Flooding Resiliency at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). Dr. Loftis has a bachelor’s degree in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Leadership Studies along with a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science from Christopher Newport University, where his research focused on physical electrochemistry and materials science at the Jefferson Lab Particle Accelerator Facility in Newport News, VA. Derek graduated with a Ph.D. in Marine Science from VIMS at the College of William and Mary upon completing his dissertation focusing on the development of street-level operational flood forecasts through hydrodynamic modeling in New York City during 2012 Hurricane Sandy. Dr. Loftis’ hydrodynamic modeling research at VIMS focuses on: (1) development of numerical simulations and flood forecasts for regions prone to flood damage, (2) validation of model accuracy using citizen science, remote sensing observations, and (3) engineering solutions to enhance adaptability to future flood events to protect human life and valuable infrastructural assets. Dr. Loftis teaches remote sensing and geographic information systems classes at the College of William & Mary, and he is the project lead and a developer of the hydrodynamic model used in the NIST-funded StormSense Project in the Greater Hampton Roads Region of Tidewater Virginia, an inundation forecasting research initiative to enhance emergency preparedness for flooding resulting from storm surge, rain, and tides.

Existing Global City Teams Challenge contributor

Project Manager: StormSense