Dr. Deborah Villarroel-Lamb specializes in the numerical and physical modelling of coastal engineering processes, including ocean hydrodynamics, coastal morphology, coastal structural response, and impact. She has developed specialized numerical models to investigate the physical processes that occur along a coastline, such as wave transformation, wave breaking, undertow currents, energy dissipation and sediment transport. She is also adept at using a number of commercially available numerical tools to support these various types of analyses. She has also conducted many physical modelling experiments to support the understanding of these various coastal processes. Dr. Villarroel-Lamb has also gained experience in the assessment and design of coastal structures. Dr. Villarroel-Lambís current research focusses on improving the design of nature-based solutions to promote sustainable approaches to coastal protection and advance the climate resilience goals of the Caribbean region.

Dr Villarroel-Lamb is a proud recipient of the prestigious Royal Society ñ Newton Fellowship award in its inaugural year (2009) and her fellowship was taken up at University College London (UCL) in the United Kingdom where she collaborated with Prof. Richard Simons. She has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience throughout her career thus far, and continues to explore opportunities for advancement within her chosen field.