Expert Profile
Brett Sanders
Chancellor’s Professor
Brett Sanders seeks to advance knowledge and models of environmental dynamics interactions.
Areas of Expertise
- Environmental Modeling
- Remote Sensing
- Flood Risk
- Sea Level Rise
- Climate
- Beaches
- Equitable Adaptation
- Community Engagement
- Multi-Benefit Infrastructure Design
- High Performance Computing
- Flood Inundation Forecasting
Biography
Dr. Sanders’ work is in the area of environmental hydrodynamics, and his specialty is numerical modeling of free surface flow and transport in rivers and the coastal zone (estuaries, harbors, and bays). Models of these systems are important for many reasons, such as resolving mechanistic issues, helping to interpret field observations,and making predictions about how the system will respond to changes in either the external forcing or the system configuration.
Sanders’ research group specializes in the development of innovative algorithms for flow and transport in river and coastal systems and the integration of information technologies to create more accurate and efficient simulation tools. Flooding and erosion hazards are the primary focus of current research, particularly coastal flooding and urban flooding. Other interests include surface water quality, low impact development impacts on hydrology, dam-break flooding, aerial and terrestrial lidar scanning, geographical information systems, high performance computing, simulation tools for decision-making.
Media
Media Appearances
New Study Proves that SoCal Beaches Are Growing — And Hermosa Beach Is Part of the Story
The Hermosa Review, 2/14/2026
Zillow is dropping climate risk scores. Here’s why it matters
San Francisco Chronicle, 12/2/2025
Shrinking beaches, shrinking revenue: Sand erosion a concern for businesses, economy
The Orange County Register, 10/24/2025
Los Angeles river defenses may crumble under the next megaflood
Los Angeles Post, 8/21/2025
UC Irvine sand study shows new data to help manage shrinking beaches
Orange County Register, 2/16/2024
Event Appearances
Measuring the Multi-Benefit Potential of Stormwater Capture: A Modeling Approach for Southern California and Beyond
Energy and Environment Committee Meeting, 4/4/2024
Adapting Southern California Flood Infrastructure for Sustainability and Resilience
OCTANE - Innovation for Sustainability Breakfast, 5/3/2024
Digital Tools for Projecting Coastal Flooding and Erosion
Spotlight on Science Program, 5/15/2024
Articles
National‐scale flood hazard data unfit for urban risk management
Earth's Future
Estimating post‐fire flood infrastructure clogging and overtopping hazards
Water Resources Research
How urban form impacts flooding
Nature Communications
Flooding is not like filling a bath
Earth's Future
Satellite-based vertical land motion for infrastructure monitoring: a prototype roadmap in Greater Houston, Texas
Scientific Reports
Education
University of California, Berkeley
BS, Civil Engineering, 1993
University of Michigan
MS, Civil Engineering, 1994
University of Michigan
PhD, Civil Engineering, 1997
Accomplishments
- Best Professor of the Year Award
- Innovator of the Year Nominee
- Outstanding Post-Secondary STEM Educator
- 125 Most Influential People of Orange County
- Innovator of the Year Award
Affiliations
- American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
- American Geophysical Union (AGU)
- American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
- Chi Epsilon Honor Society (XE)
- International Association of Hydraulic Research (IAHR)
- Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF)
Research Grants
Multi-Objective Assessment of Flood Adaptation Options in Los Angeles County
NOAA, 9/1/2023–8/30/2025
Capistrano Bight Shoreline Dynamics Investigation
City of Dana Point, 8/12023–4/30/2024
Fostering Systems Thinking in High School Environmental Engineering through Engagement of Coastal Communities
NSF, 9/9/2023–8/31/2027