Sustainable Solutions for Coastal Communities Facing Challenges Due to Sea Level Rise and Flooding 

Presented by Distinguished Professor and Director of the Center for Natural Resources Dr. Michel Boufadel, this inaugural presentation in the Engineering Sustainable Solutions Seminar Series explores how engineers use science, data, and systems thinking to protect communities, manage natural resources, and solve complex environmental challenges. It features research from NJIT’s  Center for Natural Resources (CNR), a leader in environmental and energy-focused engineering research.

About the Center for Natural Resources (CNR)

Established to foster responsible environmental and energy resource utilization while protecting communities from natural and human-made hazards, the Center for Natural Resources (CNR) specializes in:

  • Assessment and mitigation of major hazards impacting communities

  • Remediation of pollution in natural environments

  • Evaluation of natural resources for energy production, with an emphasis on renewable energy systems

CNR research bridges engineering, environmental science, and public safety, helping engineers design solutions with long-term societal impact.

Seminar Focus Areas

This seminar presents an overview of cutting-edge research conducted at CNR, including:

  • Transport of water and chemicals in natural environments

  • Environmental fluid mechanics, including investigations into underwater oil release and its propagation below the surface and at the water–air interface

  • Coastal system dynamics, recognizing the coast as the terminal impact zone of offshore oil spills

Faculty and student researchers explore four critical factors influencing coastal systems:

  • Tides

  • Waves

  • Evaporation

  • Buoyancy (including the role of freshwater being approximately 2% lighter than seawater)

In addition, the center develops quantitative metrics for assessing community resilience, supporting engineering solutions that strengthen infrastructure, ecosystems, and public safety.

Why This Seminar Matters

Aligned with the Engineers Week theme Transform Your Future, this seminar demonstrates how sustainable engineering:

  • Translates research into real-world risk mitigation

  • Supports resilient communities and infrastructure

  • Balances innovation with environmental and societal responsibility

Students gain insight into how engineering careers can directly impact climate adaptation, energy systems, and environmental protection.

Who Should Attend

  • Engineering students interested in sustainability and environmental systems

  • First-year engineering students exploring research pathways

  • Faculty and staff

  • Students interested in coastal engineering, energy systems, or environmental modeling

Event Details

Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 10:00- 11:20 AM
Location: CKB L-70 Agile Strategy Lab

Register to Attend

Students are encouraged to sign up in advance.

Register for the Sustainable Engineering Seminar