"THE EVACUATION BEHAVIORS AND RISK PERCEPTIONS OF COLLEGE STUDENTS IN COASTAL COMMUNITIES: EXPLORING THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE FALSE ALARM AND DESENSITIZATION MODEL"
SAIGE HILL

Abstract

This presentation explores the complexity of community response during natural and manmade disasters and the psychological factors that influence response. Borrowing concepts from the false alarm theory and desensitization theory, the emergency management false alarm and desensitization model explains the perpetuation of insufficient preparation and disaster response by community stakeholders. The model features two primary components which influence response behaviors: disaster events resulting in false alarms and those resulting in desensitization, both of which decrease the likelihood of adequate preparation and response during subsequent events. This research explores the evacuation behaviors and risks perceptions of undergraduate and graduate college students affected by coastal hazards and disasters – research that will be used to examine the utility of the model in real world situations and to better understand how false alarms and desensitization affect emergency management in vulnerable populations.

Saige Hill is a Public Administration and Policy Ph.D. candidate at Old Dominion University. She has a Master of Public Administration, and her research interests include civic engagement, emergency management, public policy, and social justice. Saige’s research has been published in peer-reviewed journals, and she is the first author on a book chapter titled, “Risk Management and Biases in How Drivers Respond to Nuisance Flooding.” Saige is the recipient of four fellowships, including the Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Research Fellowship, the William Averette Anderson Fund Fellowship, and the Mercatus Center Frédéric Bastiat and Don Lavoie Fellowships.

"SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IN HAMPTON ROADS, VIRGINIA USING DELFT3D"
LAUREN SOMMERS

Abstract

Coastal communities are continuously being threatened by accelerating sea level rise (SLR) and large storms. Rising sea levels are also impacting flood intensity and beach erosion globally. With growing development in these areas, coastal populations are expected to continue to increase, leading to new infrastructure and higher potential costs as a result of coastal storm events. Understanding the long-term beach morphology requires utilizing physics-based models that solve cross-shore and longshore sediment transport on multiple timescales. Few studies have looked at the role of SLR on local hydrodynamic and morphodynamic interactions. In this study, a widely used computational model that can simulate hydrodynamics and sediment transport, namely Delft3D, is used to calculate long-term evolution of coastlines of Southeast Virginia. The XBeach model, which simulates erosion at several beach transects, provides detailed projections of shoreline evolution during storm events. These models coupled together give a more realistic shoreline change with long term changes and short-term events. The goal of this project is to develop and validate a predictive modeling framework for coastal hydrodynamics, sediment transport, and long-term shoreline erosion under SLR.

Lauren is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Old Dominion University. She is a Virginia Sea Grant Graduate Student Fellow, a past Virginia Space Grant Consortium Fellow, and was recently selected as a 2023 Koerner Fellow. Lauren enjoys the interdisciplinary field of coastal engineering and how it combines oceanography, applied mathematics, and computational modeling. Lauren’s research focuses on modeling sediment transport and effects of sea level rise on coastal erosion. When not looking at the beach on a screen, she enjoys recreational activities on and around the beach, including open water swimming, running, and triathlon.

"ASSESSING THE VULNERABILITY OF MARINE ORNAMENTAL FISHES IN DATA-LIMITED SITUATIONS"
JEM BALDISIMO

Abstract

The marine ornamental fish trade, also known as the aquarium trade, provides livelihood for fishermen, hobbies for aquarists, and support for marine educational programs. Recently, the long-term sustainability of the trade has been questioned due to the high volume of fishes traded and harmful effects of overharvesting on the marine environment. Promoting sustainability involves formulating conservation plans and drawing on best available research but information on marine ornamental fish stocks is often lacking. In this presentation, preliminary results will be presented on assessing the vulnerability of marine ornamental fishes to overfishing using Productivity Susceptibility Analysis (PSA), a method appropriate for data-limited situations. This study will generate a list of priority species for research and conservation that can assist resource managers, policymakers, and researchers in utilizing their limited financial resources as they address various threats to marine resources.

Jem Baldisimo has over a decade of experience in various sectors, including marine conservation, fisheries and marine resource management, and environmental management. She graduated from Ateneo de Manila University with a B.S. degree in Environmental Science and went on to finish a Master of Environment degree from the University of Melbourne through an Australian Leadership Award. She has received several competitive awards, grants, and fellowships from various institutions, including AusAID, the Fulbright Program, American Association of University Women, Virginia Sea Grant, and National Science Foundation. Aside from being a Ph.D. candidate at ODU’s Ecological Sciences Program, she is heavily involved with initiatives for women in STEM, bridging science and policy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

"DIGISPAT – DIGITAL SHORELINES FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TEACHING"
SIERRA HILDEBRANDT

Abstract

Along Virginia’s coast, living shorelines are being implemented as a means to stabilize shorelines, restore critical coastal habitats, and maintain ecosystem services. However, property owners still struggle with selection of an appropriate shoreline management technique due to limited monitoring and quantitative data evaluating living shoreline function over time. As coastal communities prepare for the impacts of climate change, it is vital that our understanding of both immediate and long-term performance of living shorelines is improved to properly evaluate candidate living shoreline sites and provide guidance based on the best available science to maximize project success. My research seeks to develop a comprehensive living shoreline database, hindcasted monitoring of project performance, and an educational guide for training Virginia’s living shoreline workforce. Together, these research efforts will enable coastal stakeholders to implement living shoreline projects that conserve critical habitat and promote coastal resiliency.

Sierra Hildebrandt is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Biological Sciences at Old Dominion University. Her research focuses on the use of living shorelines as a shoreline stabilization strategy and their role in estuarine habitat conservation and restoration. As a Virginia Sea Grant Fellow, Sierra is working to develop a publicly available database of Virginia’s living shoreline installations and evaluate the function of living shorelines over time. Further, Sierra is working with a professional mentor at Wetlands Watch to create outreach materials related to living shorelines. Sierra received a B.S. in Biology from Old Dominion University and a M.S. in Biology/Environmental Science from Hampton University.

CCPO Innovation Research Park Building I 4111 Monarch Way, 3rd Floor Old Dominion University Norfolk, VA 23508 757-683-4940