East Carolina University associate professor of coastal studies Dr. David Lagomasino will be the featured lecturer Thursday for the Coastal Studies Institute’s Science on the Sound Lecture Series.
Lagomasino will present, “Watching the Tides Roll: How Satellites Inform the Future of Coastal Communities” starting at 6 p.m. as part of the monthly, in-person lecture series at the ECU Outer Banks Campus.
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Organizers say the series brings perspectives from all over the state and highlights coastal topics in northeastern North Carolina. The public is encouraged to attend and there’s no admission charge. The program will also be livestreamed on YouTube.
“From space, satellites capture the shifting shorelines, retreating beaches, and changing wetlands that define our coasts,” according to organizers. “In this talk, Dr. David Lagomasino will share stories of coastal change from around the world, from tropical mangroves to marshes and barrier islands, and connect those lessons to the challenges and opportunities facing communities on the Outer Banks. By connecting global perspectives with local insights, the seminar will explore how science can guide resilience planning and help coastal communities prepare for the future.”
Lagomasino’s passion for beaches and mangrove forests began in South Florida and has taken him around the world. He earned his Master of Science in geology from ECU and his doctorate in geological sciences from Florida International University, where he used satellite imagery and water chemistry to study coastal water flow.
Before returning to CSI and ECU’s Department of Coastal Studies, Lagomasino conducted research at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, developing models to understand global shoreline change.
Lagomasino combines satellite, drone, and field data to assess coastal resilience and vulnerability, linking his findings directly with stakeholders to guide coastal management and ecosystem valuation, organizers said. “His work, supported by NASA and USDA programs, focuses on coastal blue carbon and has taken him to shorelines worldwide. Dedicated to mentoring students, he emphasizes hands-on research and community engagement to promote informed coastal stewardship.”
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