Iacopo Vona – Coastal Engineering – Best Researcher Award

Iacopo Vona - Coastal Engineering - Best Researcher Award

National Research Council of Italy Institute of Marine Science - Italy

AUTHOR PROFILE

SCOPUS

COASTAL HYDRODYNAMICS AND PROCESSES

Iacopo Vona is an expert in coastal hydrodynamics, with a focus on understanding and modeling shoreline dynamics and sediment transport. His research includes analyzing coastal processes using numerical modeling and satellite remote sensing, complemented by extensive field work to validate and refine his models.

RESEARCH AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCES

Currently a Post-Doctoral Fellow at the National Research Council's Institute of Marine Science (ISMAR), Iacopo's professional journey includes roles as a Graduate Research Assistant and Laboratory Technician at the University of Maryland's Center for Environmental Science (UMCES). He also worked as a Hydraulic Engineer for 3TI Progetti SPA and completed an internship at ISAC-CNR, focusing on statistical analysis of satellite images.

ACADEMIC AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS

Iacopo has been recognized for his outstanding contributions to marine and environmental sciences with several awards, including the Clint Waters Scholarship and the Horn Point Lab Student Travel Award. His article on the impact of submerged breakwaters on sediment distribution was selected as an Editor's Choice by the Water journal.

SKILLS AND EXPERTISE

Proficient in programming languages such as MATLAB, R, and Python, Iacopo excels in high-performance computing and various flood and hydraulic software tools like Delft3D and SWAN. His expertise extends to topographic surveys, hydrodynamic instruments, structural analysis software, and remote sensing technologies.

PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH CONTRIBUTIONS

Iacopo has authored numerous peer-reviewed journal publications, including studies on the hydrodynamics of artificial and oyster-populated breakwaters, the integration of oysters on submerged breakwaters, and sediment exchange in created saltmarshes. His research provides valuable insights into adaptive shoreline protection and coastal vulnerability assessment.

ACADEMIC AND MENTORING EXPERIENCES

As a guest editor for the Journal of Visualized Experiments and a reviewer for multiple research journals, Iacopo actively contributes to the academic community. He has supervised and taught undergraduate students in numerical models, field-work methods, and data analysis, fostering the next generation of scientists through programs like the Maryland Sea Grant REU.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

Iacopo's work has taken him across the globe, including collaborations with international students at the Horn Point Laboratory and fellowships in Italy and the United States. His international experience and multilingual skills enhance his ability to work in diverse research environments and contribute to global scientific advancements.

NOTABLE PUBLICATION

Hydrodynamics of Artificial and Oyster-Populated Breakwaters: A Laboratory Study with Scaled-Down Oyster Castles Under Unidirectional Flow.

Authors: Vona, I., Tseng, C.-Y., Tinoco, R.O., Nardin, W.
Year: 2024
Journal: Journal of Environmental Management

Oysters' Integration on Submerged Breakwaters Offers New Adaptive Shoreline Protection in Low-Energy Environments in the Face of Sea Level Rise.

Authors: Vona, I., Nardin, W.
Year: 2023
Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research: Earth Surface

Experimental Design and Field Deployment of an Artificial Bio-Reef Produced by Mollusk Shell Recycling.

Authors: Corbau, C., Nardin, W., Vaccaro, C., Vona, I., Simeoni, U.
Year: 2023
Journal: Marine Environmental Research

Seasonality and Characterization Mapping of Restored Tidal Marsh by NDVI Imageries Coupling UAVs and Multispectral Camera.

Authors: Nardin, W., Taddia, Y., Quitadamo, M., Staver, L.W., Pellegrinelli, A.
Year: 2021
Journal: Remote Sensing

Sediment Exchange Between the Created Saltmarshes of Living Shorelines and Adjacent Submersed Aquatic Vegetation in the Chesapeake Bay.

Authors: Vona, I., Palinkas, C.M., Nardin, W.
Year: 2021
Journal: Frontiers in Marine Science