Much of the world's population is to be found on the water's edge, the coastal regions located near the sea and/or ocean being the most prominent due to names of international ports referred to in headlines, whether they be Dubai, New York City or Sendai [this city's port being closest in Japan to counterparts on the U.S. West Coast such as Seattle or Los Angeles].
Japan in particular as an archipelago – the fact is, an "island nation" which can be listed among the Top Ten in size globally if the areas covered by territorial waters were included – has a very long combined shoreline; thus the onus to maintain and even expand coastlines of countries falls under topics within the "coastal engineering" arena.
In this issue we talk with Dr. Keiko Udo, who posited this discipline firmly on her career compass during her undergraduate days, to find out about contiguous R&D activities ongoing for improving responses to vital problems… such as those dealing with disasters resulting from environmental changes like rising sea level and extreme weather conditions, among other things.
Stophe Pomeroy (S.P.): Thank you for your time today. We understand that your research at the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department centers upon "coastal engineering" but actually your work is more wide-ranging, is it not?
Dr. Keiko Udo (KU): Yes, my laboratory focuses on hydro-environmental informatics, which goes beyond the traditional definition of coastal engineering merely as a civil engineering discipline. When I was an undergraduate student I became very interested in coastal engineering which seeks to control and protect seacoasts, yet since then insights indicate that this discipline covers more than studies of the "coast" standalone as a field because the water and sediment systems are circulatory, having streams that are interlinked.
SP: Ah, hence your fieldwork expands over areas inland as well as offshore, to enable monitoring of the outflows in fluvial deposits plus other substances?
KU: Indeed, we need to study the flow of water and sediments emanating from mountaintops and elsewhere in order to fathom offshore phenomena even… the "informatics" angle covers the environmental engineering subject from a larger purview than was the case previously.
SP: Quite, it makes sense to scrutinize the bigger picture if the aim is to counter seashore erosion or littoral zone pollution, for example.
KU: This is very true, it behooves us to keep in mind the systemic set-up and all the mechanisms found behind the various forces at play that impact our targeted research items. However, we are human, we cannot maintain tabs on everything so must work in line with the simple tenet one Japanese Nobel Laureate often mentions: "Do what you must, but do not do what you needn't."
SP: Could you tell us about your newly-opened lab in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering?
KU: My Hydro-environmental Informatics Lab pursues, as per earlier explanation and in reflection of the naming, research concerning information obtained via the sourcing capabilities that have multiplied in recent years. Thanks especially to the rapid adoption of digital technology, real-time data provided by Geographic Information System (GIS), satellite, sensor array and other resources have markedly enhanced our endeavors.
SP: Might you elaborate more about your role?
KU: Being a full professor heading up a laboratory at a major school department as well as a working mother with a solid career, not to mention a scientist charged with finding ways to mitigate disasters and other potential threats to people's safety, I wish to take on the successful role model for female students considering a lifetime in the Science, Technology, Engineering + Mathematics (STEM) sector.
SP: What roadmap do you envision for your present research activities?
KU: Hopefully, my job will benefit the people who are faced with potential threats to life and limb posed by widespread natural disasters. Having a background of work at a research institution which specialized in ports and airports I am aware of the huge effect any major accident at facilities that oftentimes are sited in the vicinity of waterfronts would have on many countries. In terms of a roadmap, realizing a "green" infrastructure while bridling in costs to assure these structures are maintained constitutes one of the attainable goals internationally.
SP: Speaking of international, we understand you spent time in relation to academic work at an institution in the Netherlands?
KU: Yes, although only about a year I was attached to IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, part of the Delft research troika comprising the Dutch city's namesake university and the "marketing company" to realize applications based upon research results therefrom plus said IHE institute. I was able to "job experience" tasks handled by students and visiting scholars at a premiere research venue. For further information on IHE Delft a visit to their website is recommended.
SP: So you can empathize well with overseas students joining your lab or your department generally?
KU: Most definitely! Such experience also reminds one of the myriad of hurdles that must be overcome. As it is, budgets are tight generally whether for research or for implementing solutions grounded in R&D output.
SP: How are your overseas collaboration efforts doing recently?
KU: Although COVID-19 still hampers the efforts, we are already working with colleagues from Africa and Asia. More exchanges are foreseen during and the years to follow.
SP: You came to Tohoku University in 2006 where you later observed the impact of the 2011 Tsunami on seacoasts, is this the case?
KU: I joined the university after working at a Japanese government research institute as mentioned above. I was working on various coastal engineering projects hereabouts when we were hit by the earthquakes and subsequent tsunami.
SP: Then you joined the International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku University?
KU: Yes, I had the expertise required upon promoting recovery of our region. The Sendai shoreline not to mention places up and down the coast from Kesennuma to the north and Fukushima to the south were hard hit.
SP: About Kesennuma, can you tell us more?
KU: The inhabitants of Kesennuma wanted peace of mind in addition to adequate seawalls and facilitated evacuation routes. I understand that they wished to clarify the many solutions available so took the time needed.
SP: And therefore asked for guidance from experts with a wide perspective... .
KU: Thinking out all options thoroughly makes good scientific sense. And well-thought-out design of structures can ease anxiety of minds. Hopefully myself and my colleagues were able to help the citizens of Kessennuma in this respect.