BATON ROUGE, La. (April 4, 2019) – Growing up in Charlotte, North Carolina, Dr. Patricia “Soupy” Dalyander loved going to the beach, but it wasn’t until she pursued her first master’s degree that she realized she could combine that love with her love of science.
Starting in May, Dalyander will be bringing her experience and years of research to The Water Institute of the Gulf as the team’s physical oceanographer.
“I’m so excited to be working on coastal systems at the Institute,” Dalyander said. “These environments are influenced by so many factors, from storms and tides to the interaction of hydrodynamics with vegetation and human-engineered structures, that the challenges are inherently interdisciplinary. Joining the team at the Institute will mean continuing to work across disciplines and having many opportunities to work directly with stakeholders who depend on coastal resources.”
Dalyander received her bachelor’s degree in physics and mathematics from Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, a master’s degree in geological oceanography from Oregon State University, and another master’s degree from University of Florida in mechanical engineering. Dalyander received her Ph.D. from University of Florida in mechanical engineering with a focus in thermal science and fluid dynamics.
Dalyander’s professional experience in researching coastal processes and informing decisions in resource management includes working with the Coastal and Marine Hazards and Resources Program of the U.S. Geological Survey at both the St Petersburg and Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Centers. In addition, she worked on sediment management, water quality, and decision support projects as a research physical scientist for the Engineering Research and Development Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Dalyander specializes in studying sediment transport and morphodynamic change, modeling beach and barrier island evolution, and developing ways to predict how successful coastal restoration projects will be in meeting their goals.
“We’re thrilled that Dr. Dalyander is bringing her extensive experience and true passion for her work to the Institute,” said Justin Ehrenwerth, Institute president and CEO. “Her proven ability to bring people together to work across disciplines and generate collaborative solutions is a perfect fit with our mission and values.”
Dalyander is married to Chris and they have two children, ages eight and ten.
About The Water Institute of the Gulf
The Water Institute is a not-for-profit, independent applied research and technical services institution with a mission to help coastal and deltaic communities thoughtfully prepare for an uncertain future. Through an integrated and interdisciplinary approach, our work helps create more resilient communities, thriving economies, and healthy environment. For more information, visit www.thewaterinstitute.org.