In 2002 Jose earned a Ph.D. in coastal engineering at the University of Southern California (USC) in Los Angeles, California. He then worked as a post-doctorate researcher and research professor before moving to Raglan, New Zealand in 2006 to work with the oceanographic consulting group ASR Ltd. In May of 2011, Jose transitioned over to his new role as a director of eCoast Ltd. In 2024 Jose started a new venture: ORCAS Consulting with two colleagues who had previously worked at eCoast.
Jose’s background is in civil and environmental engineering with an emphasis on water resources and specialising in numerical modelling. He is particularly interested in tsunami hydrodynamics and the coastal effects of tsunamis. Jose’s other research interests include coastal processes, sediment transport, wave breaking, and the design of erosion control and beach protection structures and schemes. He has also been involved in large-scale laboratory physical modelling projects related to both tsunamis, coastal hydrodynamics and erosion.
Education and Employment
August 2002
Doctorate
Ocean and Coastal Engineering
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA USA
Advisor: Costas E. Synolakis
Thesis: Tsunami Hazards in Southern California
May 1997
Master of Science
Ocean and Coastal Engineering
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA USA
December 1995
Bachelor of Science
Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA USA
May 1993
Bachelor of Science
Journalism, Telecommunications Production
University of Florida
Gainesville, FL USA
Employment History
January 2024 – Present
Director and Senior Consultant
ORCAS Consulting
Wainui Beach, Gisborne, New Zealand
May 2011 – December 2023
Director and Senior Consultant
eCoast Ltd.
Raglan, New Zealand
February 2006 – April 2011
Coastal Scientist, Senior Scientist
ASR Ltd., Marine Consulting and Research
Raglan, New Zealand
July 2008 – Present
Courtesy Adjunct Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA USA
August 2003 – July 2008
Research Assistant Professor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA USA
June 2003 – June 2006
Research Associate
Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA USA
August 2002 – August 2003
Post Doctoral Research Associate
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA USA
Spetember 2000 – December 2002
Consultant
The Surfrider Foundation
San Clemente, CA USA
June 2003
Consultant
Geological and Nuclear Sciences
Wellington, New Zealand