Maya Trotz, a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at USF, has been recognized as a 2024 Ocean Decade Champion by Every Page Foundation (EPF). Professor Trotz is one of 22 women nationwide to receive this award, which highlights her leadership in resilience and commitment to coastal community engagement. Alongside her honor, she receives a monetary award to advance her project, “Large-scale CoPe,” focused on developing sustainable solutions to reduce risks in vulnerable coastal areas across the U.S.
Professor Maya Trotz has long been an advocate for sustainable, community-centered approaches in environmental science. She joined USF in 2004 and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects at the USF Water Institute. With degrees in chemical engineering from MIT and civil and environmental engineering from Stanford, Professor Trotz combines engineering expertise with a passion for social impact.
The Project: Large-scale CoPe
Professor Trotz’s project, “Large-scale CoPe: Reducing Risks with Equitable Nature-based Solutions,” addresses the urgent need for coastal resilience. By focusing on natural solutions like coral reef and mangrove restoration, her research aims to protect coastal communities from environmental hazards. Her team collaborates with communities in Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Belize to develop strategies that protect ecosystems and support local economies.
This research evaluates the physical benefits of restoring coastal ecosystems and examines the social and economic co-benefits for these communities. The project’s interdisciplinary team includes experts from engineering, ecology, and social sciences to ensure a holistic approach to risk reduction. Professor Trotz’s work aims to inform policy and provide guidelines for other vulnerable coastal regions.
The EPF’s Ocean Decade Champion Program is part of a broader international initiative endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The program highlights the achievements of underrepresented women in ocean and environmental sciences, providing awardees with financial resources and professional development opportunities.
The Coastlines and People (CoPe) program focuses on coastline resilience and community engagement. The “Decade Champions” receive between $20,000 and $50,000 to support leadership activities, networking, and technical training.
This award reinforces USF’s place in the conversation on resilience and showcases its dedication to community-centered research. Through initiatives like Professor Trotz’s project, the university continues to make strides in sustainable engineering, setting an example for higher education institutions nationwide.