People | umcaselab

Team Members

Claudia DEVEAUX GARRIDO

Ph.D. Candidate 2027

Claudia, originally from the Dominican Republic, graduated from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) with a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering in 2019 and a M.Sc. in Earthquake Engineering in 2022. She also worked in structural engineering and disaster risk management in both private and public sector respectively in her country from 2019 to 2023. Since Spring 2024, she is a University of Miami PhD student focusing on nature-based solutions for coastal protection.

Sumit KUMAR

Ph.D. Candidate 2027

Originally from India, Sumit graduated from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Sikkim in 2019 with a B.tech. in Civil Engineering, and a M.S. (Research) in Structural Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mandi in 2024. He also worked as structural design engineer at AECOM from 2019 to 2021. Currently, his work is focusing on the static, dynamic and kinematic analysis and optimization of tensegrity structures through cellular morphogenesis.

Kayla THOMPSON

Bs. in Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering 2025

Originally from Jupiter, Florida, Kayla is an undergraduate student in the College of Engineering pursuing her Bachelor of Science in two majors: Civil Engineering and Environmental Engineering. Her interests lie in coastal design, protection, and restoration, and she is now working as an undergraduate research assistant, focusing on the design and integration of civil structures within the natural environment and the urban fabric.

Sidney BLUMENFELD

Bs. in Ecosystem Science and Policy 2027

Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Sidney is an undergraduate student in the College of Arts and Sciences pursuing his Bachelor of Science in Ecosystem Science and Policy, with a Minor in Marine Science. His interests lie in coastal restoration, conservation, and nature based solutions. He now works as an undergraduate research assistant, focusing on studying mangroves' wave attenuating abilities.

Nikolet KOSTUR

Ph.D. Candidate 2027

Originally from Portland, Oregon, Nikolet obtained her B.Sc. in Biology from Davidson College in 2021. She is currently pursuing a PhD through the London Natural Environment Research Council program at King's College London, the Institute of Zoology, and the University of Miami. Her project focuses on the future of urban shoreline ecosystems and the ecological performance of SEAHIVE / gray-green infrastructure in urban coastal areas.