ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK | JOHN JAY COLLEGE

Let’s Talk About… Climate Change, Disaster Science, Earthquakes and Tsunami Evacuation Planning, Emergency Management, Energy Security, Flood Risk and Floodplain Management, Public Health Emergencies, Puerto Rico, Small Islands Vulnerability

As a disaster scientist and geo-qualitative researcher, I prefer spending time in the field rather than behind a desk.

My research explores the physical, social, and policy dimensions of disasters.

I study how climate change reshapes ecosystems and intensifies extreme weather events—especially tropical storms and hurricanes— and the resulting challenges for emergency management.

I also explore seismic activity and related tsunamis, advancing early warning systems and evacuation planning to strengthen community preparedness and response.

My work places special emphasis on flood risk and floodplain management, as well as post-disaster energy security for medically vulnerable populations—core elements of equitable resilience.

Focusing on Puerto Rico and other small islands, I engage with local stakeholders to identify specific risks, learn from the local experiences, and co-produce solutions that strengthen islands’ resilience.

Driven by a commitment to scientific innovation, communication, and teaching, I collaborate with engineers, physical and social scientists to support practitioners and inspire the next generation of leaders in emergency management.

P.S. Disasters are not natural.