Brian Gorberg

Harriton Senior High School

San Diego State University

Activities and Societies: 2022 Imperial Barrel Awards (IBA) San Diego State Team Captain, Member of American Association of Petroleum Geologists (AAPG), Treasurer of Surf Team in 2019

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Activities and Societies: Graduate Research Assistant I created a surface water model for the town of Hanalei, Kauai, to evaluate flooding. I explored compound flooding scenarios resulting from sea level rise and extreme rainfall events. The surface water model I used is called the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis model. The model is very data-intensive, requiring data of various types (spatial data, meteorological data, hydrological data, and oceanographic data). By completing this degree, I became proficient in scientific writing… Show more I created a surface water model for the town of Hanalei, Kauai, to evaluate flooding. I explored compound flooding scenarios resulting from sea level rise and extreme rainfall events. The surface water model I used is called the Gridded Surface Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis model. The model is very data-intensive, requiring data of various types (spatial data, meteorological data, hydrological data, and oceanographic data). By completing this degree, I became proficient in scientific writing, modeling, mapping with GIS, programming, and data analysis with large 1D and 2D datasets. Show less

University of Hawaii at Manoa

Under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Shuler, I will map flood extents and depths from key hindcast events in North Shore and Ko’olaupoko/southern Ko’olauloa watersheds. I will explore the combined effects of oceanic and riverine flood drivers using coastal high-water levels as inputs for GSSHA models and validate them with existing imagery from O’ahu’s North Shore. Additionally, I will assess ENSO’s impacts on beach erosion rates and evaluate compound flooding from oceanic and terrestrial… Show more Under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Shuler, I will map flood extents and depths from key hindcast events in North Shore and Ko’olaupoko/southern Ko’olauloa watersheds. I will explore the combined effects of oceanic and riverine flood drivers using coastal high-water levels as inputs for GSSHA models and validate them with existing imagery from O’ahu’s North Shore. Additionally, I will assess ENSO’s impacts on beach erosion rates and evaluate compound flooding from oceanic and terrestrial sources. My case studies will focus on extreme erosion events and seasonal sediment transport to uncover connections to ENSO and patterns of extreme swells. I will engage with the North Shore community, incorporating local insights into my research and providing shoreline stabilization recommendations based on identified erosion trends. Show less