For almost a century, researchers have known that vertical land motion — the lifting and sinking of the ground — affects sea level locally. As the ground sinks, the sea level rises relative to the land. Scientists also assumed this process generally occurred at a steady rate over time. But a research team that includes Thomas Wahl, a UCF researcher and associate professor in the , has found that ground subsidence has undergone phases of variable change, creating significant implications for coastal communities.

“In many places, … sea level is going up one to three millimeters a year, but the land is going down 10, 15 times as fast.”

In an article recently published in Nature Geosciences, Wahl and his research collaborators demonstrate that the rate of vertical land motion is nonlinear in many coastal communities, particularly in Louisiana and along the Mississippi Delta. As the land sinks, relative sea level rises, increasing the risk of coastal flooding from high tides and storm surge that can damage homes, businesses and critical infrastructure.

“In many places like Louisiana, sea level is going up one to three millimeters a year, but the land is going down 10, 15 times as fast,” Wahl says. “And that compounds the effect of sea level rise. As the sea level goes up and land goes down, you have a bigger problem.”

A New Challenge for Coastal Communities

“Our results reveal that … groundwater extraction and … earthquakes have led to periods of rapid sinking or rising of coastal land.”

Current projections of future sea-level change typically assume that ground motion behaves linearly over time. However, the study challenges that assumption. Using observational data from tide gauges, the team, led by Associate Professor SÓ§nke Dangendorf of Tulane şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą, reconstructed vertical land motion dating back to the early 20th century.

“Our results reveal that human activities such as groundwater extraction and natural phenomena such as earthquakes have led to periods of rapid sinking or rising of coastal land,” Dagendorf says. “This has largely increased the rates of sea level rise relative to the land, particularly in cities where increasing water demand led to increased groundwater withdrawals and subsequent compaction of the ground.”

The Silver Lining

Wahl says these findings have important implications for coastal infrastructure, including in Florida.

“It makes it even more critical to plan early and to create adaptation strategies to keep the water away from places where you don’t want it to be for as long as you can,” Wahl says.

The silver lining, he says, is that some causes of land motion can be managed. Cities such as Tokyo and Shanghai once experienced extreme subsidence — up to several centimeters per year during the mid‑20th century — but have dramatically slowed the sinking after implementing strict groundwater extraction controls and related land‑management policies.

When it comes to addressing the combined challenges of sea level rise and land subsidence, Wahl acknowledges that some areas will be harder to protect than others, and that protection may not be possible everywhere. Still, he remains hopeful.

“History has shown that humans are very creative, especially when they have to be,” Wahl says. “If you look back to where we were 100 or even 50 years ago and where we are now, there are probably technologies and strategies that we haven’t even thought of yet that might come up in the future that will be beneficial in that context.”

About the Researcher
Wahl collaborated on the study with researchers from Tulane şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą, Harvard şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą and various academic and research institutions in Germany and the Netherlands. Prior to joining UCF in 2017, Wahl was a Marie Sklodowska Curie fellow of the European Union at the şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of Southampton and a postdoctoral scholar at the şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą of South Florida. His research focuses on coastal flood risk, sea level rise and storm surges.

The Luminary Awards — established in 2017 — are designed to recognize some of UCF’s brightest stars who shine a positive light on the university and in their respective fields, as well as illuminate a path of discovery for those who will come after them.

Honorees were selected based on nominations by deans, chairs and directors from across the university. The event was attended by the recipients, their close family and friends, as well as former awardees and special guests from the community.

UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Michael Johnson, Vice President for Research and Innovation Winston Schoenfeld and Interim Vice Provost for Faculty Excellence Joel Cramer were on hand to recognize each winner.

The 2024 Luminary Award recipients are:

Robertico Croes

Professor, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

For over two decades, Croes has focused his academic career on the critical intersection of socially sustainable tourism, economic growth, and poverty alleviation. In recent years, he has made waves with pioneering research on travel health and infectious disease control. Leading the charge as principal investigator, Croes secured $4.5 million in funding to help mitigate the severe social and economic impacts of pandemics on the hospitality and tourism industry. His work emphasizes the survival of small businesses and the well-being of disabled people, aiming to protect the future of both.

One of the most notable outcomes of this funding is Rosen College’s first intellectual property: a personalized health-based travel app.

Croes’ expertise has also garnered global recognition, leading to his recent invitation by the president of the United Nations General Assembly to discuss sustainable development goals as they pertain to tourism’s role in alleviating poverty.

Croes’ contributions to sustainable tourism have had far-reaching impacts, benefiting UCF, the Rosen College, and impacted populations both in the U.S. and internationally. His commitment to mentoring students and faculty has helped shape the future of the tourism industry while enhancing global economic sustainability.

Craig Crossley

Associate professor, Department of Management, College of Business

Crossley has earned global recognition for his impactful research and leadership, most notably through his prestigious role as the Fulbright-Hanken Distinguished Chair in Helsinki, Finland. Each year, fewer than 30 scholars worldwide receive this distinction, the Fulbright Program’s highest honor designated for eminent figures across all academic disciplines. Despite the demanding nature of this position, Crossley has continued to fully serve UCF while fulfilling his Fulbright obligations over two consecutive summers.

Crossley’s research excellence is well-reflected in his citation count, with more than 6,000 citations, nearly half of which were garnered in the last three years alone. His work puts him in the top 3% of scholars in his field, demonstrating his growing influence in the management discipline. Over the past three years, he has given nine presentations at international conferences, serving as chair or keynote speaker for four of them.

Beyond academia, Crossley’s work has widespread societal impact. He has formed partnerships with organizations such as the Children’s Home Society of Florida and global entities like the Irish and U.K. governments, helping organizations with difficult business environments and business challenges, such as navigating Brexit.

Matt Marino and Eleazar Vasquez

Professors, School of Teacher Education, College of Community Innovation and Education

Marino and Vasquez, leaders of the Toni Jennings Exceptional Education Institute in UCF’s School of Teacher Education, have earned national recognition for their impactful contributions to exceptional student research and education. Together, they have transformed the institute into a vital ecosystem serving regional, statewide, and national communities through innovative policy and practices.

As the institute’s director and former interim director, respectively, Vasquez and Marino have created strong collaborations with school districts and stakeholders like Orange County Public Schools, the nation’s eighth-largest district. Their partnerships benefit countless students, educators and families, and extend to supporting students with intellectual disabilities through the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities.

Vasquez’s leadership earned him a White House and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee invitation in May to discuss artificial intelligence and education, and he is part of a team securing several federal research awards, including a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Full Service Community Schools Programs to enhance community partnership schools in Florida.

Marino, likewise, has recently secured several awards, including $6.5 million over five years from the Office of Special Education Programs and a three-year grant from the Florida Center for Students with Unique Abilities to expand the institute’s work. Their collective efforts have positively impacted 1.5 million scholars, 35,000 teachers, and hundreds of families. They consistently publish research studies in high-impact journals, present at key conferences, and have secured more than $82 million in grant funding since 2017. These achievements demonstrate excellence in education, research and societal impact.

Matt Dombrowski ’05 ’08MFA

Associate professor, School of Visual Arts and Design, College of Arts and Humanities

Dombrowski has demonstrated exceptional dedication to interdisciplinary research, innovative teaching, and impactful service. His contributions to the field of animation and visual art and his role as creative director at Limbitless Solutions have significantly advanced UCF’s mission of fostering creative and scholarly excellence.

His scholarly work encompasses varying fields, with peer-reviewed articles exploring groundbreaking technologies such as electromyographic video game controllers for improving prosthetic outcomes, innovative 3D printing strategies for prosthetic components and control schemes for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. His publications often include undergraduate researchers, underscoring his dedication to both mentorship and innovation.

In his role at Limbitless Solutions, Dombrowski has overseen a total of over 500 interdisciplinary students comprised of seven UCF colleges. His leadership has forged partnerships with industry giants like Adobe, Autodesk and Microsoft, securing significant support, including over a quarter of a million dollars in funding from companies like Adobe, Unity, Epic Unreal and Disney. His work also extends to impactful community projects like bionic arm delivery with Arnold Palmer, Orlando Health and Oregon Health & Science şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą along with Project Xavier, a hands-free wheelchair initiative with the Mayo Clinic.

Dombrowski’s advocacy for Limbitless has taken UCF undergraduates to prestigious venues such as the United Nations and the Smithsonian. His national recognition, including being named an Adobe Creator to Watch in 2023 by Adobe and Forbes magazine, reflects his transformative contributions to UCF and the broader community.

Mindy Shoss

Professor, Department of Psychology, College of Sciences

Shoss has been instrumental in building and maintaining UCF as a powerhouse of workplace psychology research, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, layoffs and the future of work. This includes helping UCF become selected as a site for a targeted research training program funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Her research has been featured in Harvard Business Review and in leading media outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

Shoss has also delivered high-profile presentations for the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Safety Council. Her influence has extended to advising the APA, U.S. Congress, and the U.S. Surgeon General’s Office on workplace mental health.

With over 100 published works, including 32 peer-reviewed articles since 2021, Shoss’ research is highly regarded. She has secured $3.8 million in external funding. Recognized as a fellow of the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Shoss continues to shape the future of work and workplace well-being.

Mona Shattell

Professor, College of Nursing

Shattell, a distinguished scholar in psychiatric-mental health, has earned an international reputation for her groundbreaking research on the well-being of nurses and long-haul truck drivers. Her extensive work highlights her commitment to advancing mental health and well-being in often overlooked populations.

She has served as editor-in-chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services for the past seven years, curating impactful content and co-authoring multiple editorials, including one with a doctoral student. In addition to her editorial duties, she co-authored nine articles in high-impact journals, focusing on workplace mental health issues.

Shattell’s contributions extend beyond academia. She is the lead author of Social Media in Health Care: A Guide to Creating Your Professional Digital Presence, a practical guide that has become a key resource for healthcare professionals. Her strong social media presence, with nearly 9,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter), amplifies her influence and thought leadership in the mental health field.

Her expertise is frequently sought by the media, having conducted multiple interviews and appearing as a guest on national podcasts, including a Sirius XM show about mental health in the trucking industry. She has also delivered keynote addresses at international conferences and received the prestigious Melva Jo Hendrix Award from the International Society of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurses in 2023.

With her national and international recognition, Shattell’s work continues to improve mental health care for populations in need, solidifying her impact on the field.

Ladda Thiamwong

Professor, College of Nursing

Thiamwong has earned international recognition for her innovative aging research and leadership, highlighting her significant contributions to the field. Over the past three years, Thiamwong has secured over $4 million in National Institutes of Health funding, with an additional $4 million pending, and has produced an impressive 76 scholarly works, including 62 peer-reviewed articles. Her research is collaborative and involves disciplines that span engineering, kinesiology, computer science, psychology, and statistics, helping to transform the field of geriatric nursing.

Thiamwong’s work has garnered widespread media attention, including a recent feature on the front page of the Orlando Sentinel. She has delivered 53 international presentations in the past three years, including a keynote address, and serves as an associate editor for Frontiers in Public Health. Her expertise is frequently sought locally as well, including as a member of the Orlando Mayor’s Committee on Livability and Healthy Aging.

Among her numerous accolades, Thiamwong was inducted as a fellow in both the American Academy of Nursing and the National Academies of Practice. She also received the Excellence in Geriatric Nursing Research Mid-Career Award and was recently named the Florida Blue Endowed Professor for Healthy Communities.

Her dedication to mentoring the next generation of scientists and her contributions to aging research are promoting significant progress and innovations that will have long-lasting impacts in the field.

Thomas Wahl

Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science.

Wahl has established himself as a leader on the impact of sea level rise and storm surges on the built environment. His work integrates engineering with atmospheric and oceanographic sciences and influences policy at national and international levels.

Since joining UCF in 2017, Wahl has attracted nearly $6 million in research funding, contributing to projects totaling over $55 million. His scholarly output is remarkable, with more than 100 peer-reviewed journal papers with over 5,000 Scopus citations. His research has been published in prestigious journals such as Nature, and his excellent ability to communicate the importance of his work to stakeholders and the media elevates UCF’s prominence nationally and globally.

Wahl’s numerous accolades include the Huber Prize from the American Society of Civil Engineers and early career investigator awards from both NASA and the U.S. National Science Foundation. He is also a dedicated mentor, having guided students like Javed Ali, a recent Order of Pegasus awardee. His research has gained widespread media attention, appearing in The Washington Post, National Geographic and numerous state and local media outlets.

With his impressive achievements and significant contributions to addressing sea level rise, Wahl continues to push the boundaries of research and innovation.

Resiliency and the use of technology are key in the work being done at UCF. Here’s a roundup of some of the many relevant research projects at UCF and how they can potentially help residents in Florida and beyond.

Home Vulnerability

Public Administration Associate Professor Chris Emrich, in collaboration with researchers across several universities this year, developed an online tool homeowners can use to check how vulnerable their homes are to natural disasters such as hurricanes and floods. A score is generated based on public records about your home as well as scientific data about your geographical location. is free and available to the public now. It includes tips for reducing risks to your property based on the score your home generates.

The Power of Social Media

Claire Connolly Knox, an associate professor and founding director of the Master of Emergency and Crisis Management program, is working on two studies. One focuses on identifying cost-effective, climate-informed green infrastructure adaptations to reduce flood risk in Houston’s vulnerable and underserved communities. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has funded the project. She also recently completed a study looking at how Florida counties used social media as part of their emergency management before, during, and after Hurricane Irma.

For many Florida counties, Hurricane Irma in 2017 was the first time using social media during a disaster. She found that some agencies still don’t use social media as part of their communication strategy, some rely only on social media and the vast majority are somewhere in between. Rather than just using social media to push out information to communities, Knox and her team have found that some agencies are finding creative ways to gather information from citizens’ posts to better deploy help. She found several challenges, but many possibilities for empowering xcitizens and communities to provide critical information that could help better deploy emergency response resources during hurricane emergencies.

Predicting Traffic for Better Evacuations

Engineering Assistant Professor Samiul Hasan is looking for ways to better understand real-time individual, social and agency behavior during evacuations caused by rapidly intensifying hurricanes (RIH).

These kinds of hurricanes quickly intensify making critical infrastructure management and smooth evacuations more challenging. Hasan and the rest of the research team are analyzing the “dynamics of risk information processing and decision making to inform the design, development, improvisation, and overall evacuation management for critical transportation infrastructure. The insights from the research are expected to help facilitate safer evacuations and more efficiently organize risk-averting behaviors during RIH,” the researchers say of the U.S. National Science Foundation-funded project that is expected to wrap up in 2023. Hasan also is studying how real-time data from roadway systems and social media can help predict traffic demand during hurricane evacuations. Hasan used data from hurricanes Matthew, and Irma.

Reducing Crashes During Evacuation Rush

Rezaur Rahman ’19MS ’21PhD, a former doctoral student in Hasan’s lab, also investigated how we might reduce the number of crashes on the roadways during stressful evacuation times. In his study, published last year, he evaluated the safety impact of Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) systems during a hurricane evacuation. The team developed a microscopic simulation model of evacuation traffic and calibrated it using traffic data from an almost 10-mile stretch of I-75 between Ocala and Gainesville, Florida, during Hurricane Irma’s evacuation period. Rahman’s model found that by using cruise control crashes could potentially be reduced by almost 50 percent, and travel time improves despite heavy stop-and-go traffic. The SAFER-SIM şŁ˝ÇÖ±˛Ą Transportation Center, a consortium of  various universities including UCF, supported this study.

Hurricanes and Sea Level Rise

Engineering Assistant Professor Thomas Wahl and his team are working on a new method to determine where extreme events, like 100-year storm floods, are more likely to occur, whether the likelihood of such extremes is changing over time, and why.

These projects are but a snapshot of the research that goes on at UCF to help people and communities be better prepared for hurricanes. As the work continues, new findings will be shared with the public, policymakers, and emergency managers to help ensure we stay resilient during hurricane season.