Title:  Assistant Professor

Telephone:  (409) 741-4317

Fax: (409) 741-7153

Email:  figlusj@tamug.edu

Research Interests and Expertise:

Dr. Figlus is interested in the impacts extreme events like hurricanes have on our coastlines. This is of particular importance in light of anticipated sea level rise and increased storm intensity many coastal areas may be subjected to.

The complex physical processes involved in the destruction, but also the potential recovery of beaches and dunes are of particular interest.

Dr. Figlus utilizes laboratory experiments, field measurements and process based numerical modelling to gain a better understanding of the complicated sediment transport phenomena that govern dune destruction via wave overtopping, overwash and beach recovery. He also uses the data to create applied engineering models that serve as tools for managing our shorelines.

Further topics of interest include  wave – structure – sediment interaction, vegetation effects on sediment transport, beach nourishment evolution and design improvements.

Dr. Figlus has extensive experience with hydrodynamic and sediment transport measurements and instrumentation in addition to applied process based numerical modelling of hydrodynamics, sediment transport, beach morphology evolution, dune and structure wave overtopping, sediment overwash and beach recovery mechanisms.

Education:

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, University of Delaware, USA (2010)

Major: Coastal Engineering

Dissertation: “Coastal morphological evolution in the wet and dry zone.”

Master of Civil Engineering (M.C.E.), University of Delaware, USA (2007)

Major: Coastal Engineering.

Thesis: “Nourished beach evolution on the Delaware Atlantic coast”.

Dipl.-Ing., Civil Engineering, University of Karlsruhe (now KIT), GERMANY (2005)

Major: Environmental fluid mechanics and hydraulic engineering.

Thesis: “Experimental investigation on steep rock protected slopes subject to overtopping flow.”  

Current Courses:

MASE 400 – Introduction to Coastal Engineering (Fall 2012)

Teaching Experience:

“Fluid Mechanics Laboratory”, University of Delaware (TA Spring 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009).

Research and Work Experience:

 Assist. Professor, Texas A&M University at Galveston – Maritime Systems Engineering Department (7/2012 – present)

Sr. Civil Engineer & Director of Business Development USA, Gauff Engineering Group (9/2010 – 6/2012)

Graduate Research Assistant, Center for Applied Coastal Research, University of Delaware (1/2006 – 8/2010)

Research Assistant, Institute for Hydrodynamics, University of Karlsruhe (now KIT), Germany (10/2002 – 12/2005)

Visiting Researcher, Water Research Laboratory, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (3/2005 – 8/2005)

 Publications:

 Figlus, J., Kobayashi, N., and Gralher, C. (2012). “Ridge-Runnel Migration.” Proc. of 33^rd Intl. Conference on Coastal Engineering, Santander, Spain.

 Kobayashi, N., Jung, H., and Figlus, J. (2011). “Maintenance of Beach and Dune for Coastal Flooding Reduction.” Coastal Structures 2011,Yokohama, Japan, September 2011.

 Figlus, J., Kobayashi, N., and Gralher, C. (2011). “Onshore Migration of Emerged Ridge and Ponded Runnel.” Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, (in print).

 Kobayashi, N., Hicks, B.S., and Figlus, J. (2011). “Evolution of Gravel Beach Profiles.” Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 137/5, 258-262.

 Figlus, J., Kobayashi, N., Gralher, C., and Iranzo, V. (2011). “Wave Overtopping and Overwash of Dunes.” Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 137/1, 26-33.

 Figlus, J., Kobayashi, N., Gralher, C., and Iranzo, V. (2010). “Wave-Induced Overwash and Destruction of Sand Dunes.” Proc. of 32^nd Intl. Conference on Coastal Engineering, Shanghai, China.

 Figlus, J. and Kobayashi, N. (2008). “Inverse Estimation of Sand Transport Rates on Nourished Delaware Beaches.” Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 134/4, 218-225.

 Peirson, W.L., Figlus, J., Pells, S.E., Cox, R.J. (2008). “Placed Rock as Protection Against Erosion by Flow Down Steep Slopes.” Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, 134/9, pp. 1370-1375.

 Figlus, J. and Kobayashi, N. (2008). “Two-Line Model for Inverse Estimation of Cross-Shore and Longshore Transport Rates on Nourished Beaches.” Proc. of 31^st Intl. Conference on Coastal Engineering, Hamburg, Germany.

 Awards and Memberships:

• Fulbright Alumni
• U.S. National Scholars Honor Society
• Assoc. Member ASCE & COPRI
• Tulla Medal and Award for best graduate 2005, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Karlsruhe, Germany (1/2006)
• German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD) scholarship to complete diploma thesis at the Water Research Laboratory (WRL) of the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia (3/2005 – 8/2005)
• Fulbright Scholarship for graduate studies in the United States (8/2003 – 6/2004)