Guest editor

Gary (Jiarui) Lei

Assistant Professor Jiarui (Gary) Lei is a faculty member at the National University of Singapore (NUS), specializing in environmental fluid mechanics. His research investigates the complex interactions between fluid flows and vegetation and the development of nature-based solutions for coastal protection. Through innovative approaches, such as studying three-dimensional flow dynamics and analyzing the effects of non-uniformly distributed vegetation, Dr. Lei aims to push the boundaries of scientific understanding in coastal resilience.

Much of Dr. Lei’s research involves the physical modeling of aquatic vegetation in carefully controlled laboratory environments, including wave tanks, basins, and recirculating flumes. These experiments enable precise analysis of coastal processes and vegetation effects on flow. His work is further strengthened through collaborations with international researchers on projects that address the challenges of coastal flooding and resilience.

Guest editor

Jill Singer

Jill Slinger is Full Professor of Transdisciplinary Policy Development at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, Delft University of Technology, Netherlands, and Visiting Professor at the Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, South Africa. She is a nominated representative on the coastal working group of the Dutch Expertise Network for Flood Safety. Prof. Slinger holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and has extensive international experience in policy, planning and practice in water and coastal environments. In addition to experience in participatory engagement with communities, scientists, policy makers and the private sector, she has served on the World Water Vision Scenario Development Panel, and development team for the transnational Long Term Vision for the Scheldt Estuary. She teaches environmental systems modelling, Nature-Based Solutions and policy analysis and has authored a book Building with Nature & Beyond. Her research is focused on the use of ecosystem-based design knowledge and simulation in supporting transdisciplinary interactions between people, science and policy in diverse river and coastal systems – a co-design approach to planning and management.