Machine Learning for Coastal Resilience in Data-Limited Regions: Insights from Mexico
Alberto Alatriste Domínguez – Graduate - UDLAP​

Developing countries face heightened vulnerability to large-scale ocean–atmospheric phenomena due to infrastructural and economic constraints. These challenges often limit the availability of high-quality data, hindering the development of robust predictive systems. This work explores the potential of machine learning (ML) techniques to model and estimate the impacts of tropical cyclones over Mexico, a region subject to sparse observational networks and heterogeneous environmental conditions. Through a series of experimental models, we evaluate strategies for data preprocessing, feature selection, and model validation to achieve reliable predictive performance under these constraints. The findings suggest two complementary directions: (1) localized early warning systems tailored to specific coastal communities, and (2) large-scale regional analyses to inform long-term adaptation policies, research and resource allocation.

How Do Hurricanes Affect Fisheries in Fiji for Locals?
Nathalie Aldana – Undergraduate - NSU​

The island known as Fiji is surrounded by water; as such, disasters such as hurricanes affect not only their homes but more importantly their food source - fish, which is a main part of their cuisine. As a tropical island that receives a lot of income and visitors yearly, fish is an essential food source for Fijian cuisine; as such, natural disasters such as hurricanes leave various sets of debris behind, which can affect their food source as the debris ends up in the water and even in the bodies of the food that they are going to end up eating. This is extremely important as they rely heavily on the ocean not only for food, but it also helps with their income. Since Fiji is an island where tourists come to visit, it benefits their economy with the amount of money being brought in. They are also surrounded by the “Koro” sea - the main body of water near Fiji. To have a natural disaster such as a hurricane could economically ruin Fiji. Which leads to the question, how do hurricanes affect Fiji’s main source of food (seafood)? The main factors to consider when searching for the answer to this question are the intake of food, how often hurricanes appear, as well as how to achieve the best possible outcome from a hurricane.

Desalination in Spain
Mitch Doubrava - Undergraduate - UNR

Spain often experiences irregular rainfall and regular droughts and to make sure the taps stay on, the country has embraced seawater desalination as an important water source. Starting in the sixties on the Canary Islands and expanding to the mainland along the Mediterranean Sea, desalination has evolved from energy-intensive thermal methods to more efficient reverse osmosis systems. This paper examines the historical development of Spanish desalination, how it interacts with renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, and its environmental impacts. The paper also focuses on the challenges posed by the release of brine and the intake of seawater, both of which affect marine ecosystems through increased salinity, oxygen depletion, and entrainment. The paper also includes Spain’s role in using desalination with solar power and creating subsurface intakes to help clean water intakes. In time, Spain’s experience highlights the need to integrate desalination within a broader sustainability framework that balances technological progress, ecological protection, and energy efficiency. The paper finishes with the idea that while desalination offers resilience in the climate change era, Spain's success in adopting desalination will depend on if it can be environmentally responsible and efficient.

Why we should study Paleotsunamis in Northern Japan
Kasai Janvier – Undergraduate - NSU

This study demonstrates the importance of constructing the history of paleotsunamis because of the massive flooding effects tsunamis have. Paleotsunamis is the historical term for tsunamis that have happened in the past. Using methods like stratigraphy are sufficient to secure continuity of the geological record using calibrated 14C ages. Along the Sanriku coast including our study area (Noda) in northern Japan and its topography, because even though several paleotsunami studies have been conducted, the age correlation of paleotsunamis has not been constructed well, due to the variations in the ages of tsunami deposits. The earthquakes and the tsunamis that are created occur typically around subduction zones because of the stress release in plate boundaries. Studying the geological record of past tsunamis in the present can help us prepare for tsunamis in the future.