Elizabeth (Libby) Royer
President
W&R Coastal Sciences and Solutions, LLC (WRCSS), Tampa, FL 33629, USA.
Phone: 614-947-9349
Email: libbyroyer@wrcoastalsciences.com
Webpage: https://www.wrcoastalsciences.com
Education:
Ph.D. in Geology, University of South Florida, (expected 2026).
Dissertation: Design and Implementation of Natural and Nature-Based Solutions in Shallow Estuarine Environments using Numerical Modeling.
M.S. in Geology, University of South Florida 2022.
B.A. in Geology and Environmental Science, Oberlin College 2020.
Areas of Expertise:
Coastal resiliency, Shore protection and management, Living shoreline applications, Green infrastructure, Beach nourishment design and monitoring, Nearshore sediment transport analysis and numerical modeling, Nearshore wave and current dynamics and numerical modeling, Beach-inlet interaction and inlet management.
Employment:
08/2025-present President, W&R Coastal Sciences and Solutions, LLC.
08/2020-present Teaching and Research Assistant, Coastal Research Lab, University of South Florida
Membership in Professional Societies:
Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association (FSBPA).
American Geophysical Union (AGU).
Consulting Projects (selected):
Wind Wave Analysis and Numerical Wave Modeling for Artificial Reef Design at Port Mahon, Delaware.
Develop Technical Approach for Shoreline Recovery and Shore Stabilization for the Placencia Peninsula, Stann Creek District, Belize.
Wind Wave Analysis and Numerical Wave Modeling at LS3 Site within Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base, North Carolina.
Water-level Analysis and Numerical Wave Modeling for Artificial Reef Design at Sea Oats Beach, Islamorada, Florida.
Water-level Analysis and Numerical Wave Modeling for Artificial Reef Design at Pigeon Key, Florida.
Tampa Bay Pilots Emergency Fueling and Operating Base: Wave and Water Level Modeling and Analyses.
St. Croix (US Virgin Island) Carambola Resort Initial Assessment on Historical Hurricane and Tropical Storm Impacts, Sargassum in the Greater Area, Offshore Wave Conditions, and Trend of Shoreline Change
Langley AFB (Virginia) Wave Modeling and Shore Protection Design.
Gomez Key (Florida) Oystercatcher Habitat Expansion Project 9810.0.15: Wave Study and Shore Protection Design.
Mandarina (Mexico) Wave Modeling and Shore Protection Design.
Yucalpeten Resort Marina (Mexico)Wave Modeling and Shore Protection Design.
Sugarloaf Island (North Carolina) Shore Protection and Restoration Project.
Sarasota (Florida) Sailing Squadron Marina Protection: Wave and Water-level Study and Modeling.
Wave modeling for Max Brewer Bridge Beach and Nearshore Improvements, Florida.
Friar’s Bay (St. Kitts) Shore Improvement Design.
Cedar Key (Florida) Shore Protection Design and Wave Modeling.
Shore-Protection, Living Shoreline, and Beach Restoration Project at Ben T Davis Park, Tampa, Florida.
Environmental Impact Assessment for Sandals Montego Bay (Overwater Bungalows & Villas), Jamaica.
Wave Modeling and Shore-Protection Design for Walnut Point, Maryland.
Strategic Environmental Assessment and Carrying Capacity Assessment for Port Royal 2020 Sustainable Master Plan, Jamaica.
Raymac Cove Beach Restoration and Shore Protection Design, Jamaica.
Site Investigation at the Subject Area of Sterling Wharf Property, Jamaica.
Shore-Protection Project for the Coastal Marsh at Wanchese Marine Industrial Park, North Carolina.
Shore-Protection Project for St Mary’s Episcopal Church at Green Cove Springs, Florida.
Pleasant River Discharge Restoration and Shore Protection, Jamaica.
Moon Palace Resort Shore-Protection and Beach Nourishment Design, Jamaica.
Camp Ellis Beach (Maine) Shore Protection Alternative using WADs (Wave Attenuation Device).
Mamiti Beach Restoration and Shore Protection Design, Jamaica.
Beach Processes and Wave Modeling for the Design of Shore Protection Measure at EG Simmons Park, Tampa, Florida.
Wave modeling for Sunshine Skyway (Tampa, Florida) Shore Protection Design using WAD (Wave Attenuation Device) and Seagrass improvements.
Rhodes Hall Beach Restoration and Shore Protection Design, Jamaica.
Bengal Beach Restoration and Shore Protection Design and Wave Modeling, Jamaica.
Environmental Impact Assessment Beach License Application for Sandals Dunn’s River, Mammee Bay (Over Water Suites and Chapel), Jamaica.
Margaritaville Beach Restoration and Shore Protection Design, Mexico
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers:
Royer, E.L. and Wang, P., 2026. Stability and Wave-Energy Reduction Efficiency of a Popular Artificial Reef System: The Wave Attenuation Device. Journal of Coastal Research, in press.
Gutierrez, S.M., Wang, P., Royer, E.L., Bishop, J.E., Dabees, M.S., 2025. Long-Term Performance of Cyclic Beach Nourishment and Roles of Erosional Hotspots. Journal of Coastal Research, DOI: 10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-24-00075.1.
Royer, E.L., and Wang, P., 2024. Mitigating Anthropogenic Influences on Tidal Circulation: A Case Study of McKay Bay, Florida, USA. Journal of Coastal Research, 113 (SI): 148-153.
Wang, P., Royer, E.L., and Gutierrez, S., 2024. Hurricane Idalia (2023) induced dune erosion along West-Central Florida barrier-island coast and post-storm restoration. Shore and Beach, 92: 16-27.
Wang, P., Royer, E.L., Jackson, K. and Gutierrez, S., 2024. Impacts of Hurricane Ian along the Low-Lying Southwest Florida Coast (USA) in 2022: Lessons Learned. Journal of Coastal Research, https://doi.org/10.2112/JCOASTRES-D-24-00003.1.
Royer, E.L., Wang, P. and Cheng, J., 2023. Determining depth of closure based on time-series beach profiles and empirical formulas: A case study along the Florida coast. Shore and Beach, 91: 3-22.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Papers in Review:
Royer, E.L., Wang P., and Jackson K., 2025. Influences of Common Anthropogenic Modifications on Tidal Circulation in a Shallow Microtidal Estuary: Applications of Basin-Scale Nature-Based Solutions. Estuaries and Coasts.