What does it look like to break into coastal science as a student, and win national awards along the way? In this episode, Marissa Torres [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtorres480/] and Deb Fernandes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-fernandes-df/]talk with Brenna Derby [https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennaderby/]and Vicky Gao [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-gao-727708299/] about REUs, harmful algal blooms, environmental economics, working with ASBPA’s Science & Technology Committee, and the honest advice they wish more students heard about finding funding, taking chances, and building a coastal career that fits who you are. If you’re a student, early-career coastal nerd, or just coastal-curious, this convo is packed with stories, practical tips, and a lot of reassurance that there’s no single “right” way to build a life at the coast.

The Coastal Journeys of Two Award-Winning Students: Brenna Derby and Vicky Gao

In this episode of Going Coastal, ⁠Jon Miller⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-miller-291a921a/] and ⁠Deb Fernandes ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-fernandes-df/]have a chat with PhD student ⁠Ian Day⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ian-day-nj/] (Stevens Institute of Technology) and master’s student ⁠Tashae Thompson ⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tashae-thompson/](University of South Alabama) for a new Student Research Spotlight series. They talk about their paths into coastal engineering, from Jamaica to China to New Jersey.

Hear how they’re tackling real-world challenges like dune erosion and flooding with nature-based solutions, and what it’s like to navigate conferences and careers in this tight-knit field.

Thank you to NJ Sea Grant for sponsoring this episode.

17 - Student Research Spotlight: From dunes to roadways with Ian Day and Tashae Thompson

This month on Going Coastal, Marissa Torres [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mtorres480/] and Deb Fernandes [https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-fernandes-df/] talk with Heather Korzun [https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-korzun/] and Neal McMillin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nealmcmillin/] about their unique paths into coastal resilience and policy, and their experiences as NOAA fellows. From community engagement in New Jersey to shaping bipartisan ocean policy on Capitol Hill, they share insights, lessons learned, and advice for future fellows.

18 - Inside the NOAA Coastal Resilience and Knauss Fellowships with Heather Korzun & Neal McMillin

In this episode of Going Coastal, Jon Miller and Deb Fernandes talk with Erin Rooney (COPRI) and Halaina Hahn (ASBPA) about the role of student chapters in shaping the next generation of coastal professionals. They share how these chapters connect students with industry networks, provide leadership opportunities, and bridge the gap between academic learning and practical experience. We cover examples of successful collaborations, tips for starting a chapter, upcoming conferences like ICCE and ASBPA’s National Coastal Conference, and advice for students navigating the field.

16 - Student Chapters of COPRI and ASBPA with Erin Rooney and Halaina Hahn

In this Student Research Spotlight, Marissa Torres and Deb Fernandes hear from Alexander Boland [https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-b-1237ab203/] (UGA) and Ryan Schanta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanschanta/] (UDel) as they share their paths into coastal engineering, their thesis work, and their next steps in PhD research. From modeling storm surge impacts on Georgia roads to improving sediment transport predictions with FunWave and XBeach, this episode explores the power—and challenges—of coastal numerical modeling.

15 - Waves, Sand, and Simulations: Modeling with Alex Boland & Ryan Schanta

In our latest Going Coastal episode, we sat down with two seasoned academics in the coastal field: Dr. Jens Figlus (Texas A&M University) and Dr. Peter Ruggiero (Oregon State University), who shared their career journeys, advice for students and early professionals, and a candid look into the realities of grant writing and research funding.

From fieldwork to proposal writing to finding your place in a tight-knit community, this episode dives into both the passion and practical skills needed to thrive in the field.

If you’re a student, educator, or coastal professional looking for real-world insights into research careers and growing the next generation in coastal science, this episode is for you.

14 - Grant Proposal Writing with Dr. Jens Figlus and Dr. Peter Ruggiero

In this episode of Going Coastal, co-hosts Jon and Deb are joined by Dr. Nicole Elko, Executive Director of ASBPA and Co-Executive Director of the U.S. Coastal Research Program, and Emily Patrolia, founder of ESP Advisors. Together, they unpack what really happens during Coast Week in Washington, D.C.!

We talk about:
- How coastlines are showing up on Capitol Hill
- Practical tips for introverts navigating policy events
- Why your voice matters — even as a student or early-career professional

If you’ve ever wondered how science meets policy, or how YOU can get involved in shaping the future of our coasts, this one’s for you.

13 - Coast Week in D.C. with Nicole Elko & Emily Patrolia

What do a soon-to-be PhD, a recent master’s grad, and two coastal professionals have in common? A love for all things coastal engineering—and a healthy dose of imposter syndrome.

In this month’s Going Coastal, Jon and Marissa have a fun discussion about student research with Amy Bredes (Stevens Institute of Technology) and Constance Hickman (University of South Alabama), diving into nature-based solutions, modeling shoreline protection and the very real post-grad job hunt.

Whether you're curious about XBeach modeling, interdisciplinary challenges in NBS, or the truth about Jon’s hair, or even how a dirty martini fits into a coastal engineering career—this one's for you!

Tune in for inspiration, laughs, and real talk from the future of coastal science.



12 – Student Research Spotlight: From NBS to Impostor Syndrome to Margaritas — Real Talk with Amy and Constance

In this month’s episode of Going Coastal, your favorite co-hosts dive into three major topics affecting our shorelines:

👟 Sneaker Waves – Marissa unpacks some of the physics behind these sudden, powerful waves that have taken people by surprise—where do they occur and what makes them so dangerous?

🏝️ Nuisance Erosion – Jon explores this under-the-radar issue that’s affecting beaches and infrastructure. It’s not storm-driven, but it’s happening every day—what does it mean for coastal communities?

🏗️ The Sand Resource Crisis – Deb takes us into the hidden world of sand scarcity. As the second most-extracted resource after water, sand is disappearing rapidly due to global demand. How are we related to sand and what are the implications for coastal engineers?

We hope you enjoy this episode! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts, rate and share with your friends and colleagues! We’d much appreciate it <3

🔗Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/5Y8qMl4i6STqkC6VL6sNCn?si=AgdGC5wmQtaNDjuxIXdlKA

#GoingCoastal #Podcast #CoastalEngineering #SneakerWaves #NuisanceErosion #SandWars #CoastalManagement

11 - Hot Topics in Coastal with the Hosts

In this insightful episode of Going Coastal, co-hosts Jon Miller and Deb Fernandes speak with Elizabeth Sherr, a self-taught science communicator and content creator who shares her passion for breaking down complex scientific concepts in relatable and engaging ways.

Join us as Elizabeth takes us through her journey in science communication, from her rise on social media to speaking at conferences, and how she uses her platform to bridge the gap between research and public understanding.

10 - Communication in Science with Elizabeth Sherr

Welcome to the Going Coastal Podcast, your go-to destination for all things coastal preservation and professional development, hosted by Jon Miller, Marissa Torres, and Deb Fernandes.

Going Coastal

Shows