Emily Hein

As part of the Office of Research and Advisory Services, I respond to inquiries and requests from local, state, regional, and federal policy makers and regulators and provide marine science-based information and advice. I am regularly involved with shoreline and subaqueous permits reviews. Reviews and other advisory documents from our office typically involve various other VIMS scientists. I also represent VIMS on the Executive Committee of the Coast Guard-led Virginia Area Committee and serve as the co-chair of the Eastern Shore Subcommittee. These groups plan for and respond to hazardous material (including oil) spills in the waters of the Commonwealth.

I continue to be involved with various coastal geologic research projects, collaborating with VIMS scientists in the Coastal Geology Lab, Shoreline Studies Group, and the William and Mary Center for Archaeological Research. Recent projects have looked at various aspects of the evolution of the barrier islands of Virginia's Eastern Shore, possible nature-based solutions to slow barrier migration, and effectiveness and structural differences between managed and natural dunes.

Current Committees and Service
VIMS Diversity and Inclusion (DiveIn) Committee and Training Subcommittee
William and Mary Women's Network Executive Committee
William and Mary Women's Mentoring Network Steering Committee and mentor

Education
Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science from Boston University (BU)
Master of Science in Geology and Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology / Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (MIT/WHOI) Joint Program in Oceanography; thesis title: Quantifying overwash flux in barrier systems: an example from Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts, USA