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Dr. Stephanie M. Patch

Dr. Stephanie M. Patch

Assistant Professor
Civil Engineering / Coastal Engineering

Education

  • Ph.D. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech
  • M.S. Civil Engineering, Georgia Tech Savannah
  • B.S. Civil Engineering, Georgia Tech Savannah

Research

My research interests are within the field of Coastal Engineering and focus on short and long-term beach erosion. Specifically, I am interested in the impacts of waves and surge on barrier islands and how these processes interact with engineered structures. My current work uses numerical (computer) modeling to simulate these complex processes in order to assess the impact made to beaches during storms and daily conditions. Most recently, I have focused on two locations impacted by Hurricane Sandy: 1) the Bay Head/Mantoloking area, NJ and 2) Assateague Island, VA.


Recent Publications

  • Collini, R. C., Smallegan, S. M. (2021). Foundations for a practical approach to considering sea-level rise in coastal projects. Marine Technology Society. DOI:

    Smallegan, S. M., Figlus, J., Stark, N., Sasanakul I., Arboleda Monsalve, L.G., Shafii, I, Jafari, N., Ravichandran, N., Bassal, P., 2020. Post-2017 hurricane season assessment of civil infrastructure impacts on geomorphology. International Journal of Geoengineering Case Histories. DOI:

    Coogan, J. S., Webb, B. M., Smallegan, S. M., Puleo, J. A. 2019. Geomorphic Changes Measured on Dauphin Island, AL, during Hurricane Nate. Shore & Beach, 87(4), p.15. DOI:

    Smallegan, S. M., Irish, J. L., van Dongeren, A. R., 2017. Developed barrier island adaptation strategies to hurricane forcing under rising sea levels. Climatic Change, 1-12. DOI: