Stevens PH.D. student Jorge bravo presents a slide displaying weather patterns on planet Earth.

Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering Research

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Ocean Engineering at Stevens is committed to research that addresses today’s critical needs while anticipating the challenges of tomorrow. Faculty and students collaborate to develop innovative technologies and apply them in real-world contexts to improve quality of life locally and globally.

Our research is grounded in core technical strengths that shape our academic programs and contribute to the long-term success of our alumni. This work is supported by two premier research centers:

The Davidson Laboratory advances research in naval architecture, ocean engineering and maritime systems, with world-class facilities—including the world’s fastest towing tank and advanced flood forecasting capabilities. The Center for Environmental Systems leads interdisciplinary research in sustainable technologies and environmental resource management, bridging fundamental science with applied innovation.

Graduate Studies: Flexible, Supported, Connected

Graduate studies in Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering combine research, technical skills and hands-on experience. Students work with expert faculty in facilities like the Davidson Laboratory and the Center for Environmental Systems, contributing to projects in marine monitoring, ship design and environmental technology. Extensive professional and research opportunities await in New York City, just across from campus.

Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering Graduate Studies
Meng Ji.

Leading What's Next

Discover three standout stories that offer a glimpse into the groundbreaking work happening in civil, environmental and ocean engineering at Stevens.

Two hands holding a small plant in soil with graphics of a charged battery and the "Ni" symbol for nickel overlayed on top.

Stevens Environmental Engineering Researchers are Using Plants to Mine Nickel

As the push for electric vehicles and clean energy accelerates, so does the need for nickel—an essential battery material in short supply in the U.S. Stevens researchers are working on a surprising and sustainable solution: phytomining, a cutting-edge method that uses plants to pull valuable metals from the soil. Could this be the future of mining?

A stock image of multiple concrete blocks stacked on top of each other.

From Ocean to Architecture: Reinventing Concrete with Seashell Science

Associate professor Weina Meng– along with department colleagues Yi Bao, associate professor, and Yuhuan Wang, research assistant–is aiming to revolutionize concrete with a sturdier design. She is leading a sea change, inspired by a surprising model: the nacre, or mother-of-pearl, of seashells.

Two people wade in shallow water on the shore of Hoboken, New Jersey, with the New York City landscape in the background.

Transforming Hoboken’s Shoreline for a More Resilient Future

Stevens researchers and students are working with the city of Hoboken, New Jersey, to support the natural restoration of Weehawken Cove. As one of New Jersey’s first large-scale urban living shoreline projects, this initiative promises to enhance coastal resilience, restore ecological health and create new learning opportunities.


Research Areas

The Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering at Stevens is built on a foundation of core disciplines. Faculty and students conduct research in areas such as smart infrastructure, forecasting, experimental ship design, new environmental technologies and sustainability.

graphic depiction of a smart cityscape.Urban Infrastructure Systems

Our research in this focus area addresses issues related to the design, construction and monitoring of infrastructure systems through the development of new technologies.


Algae tubs in Nicoll LabEnvironmental Systems and Sustainability

The research in this focus area addresses the fate, transport and remediation of pollutants, deactivation of energetic compounds and the development of green technologies for environmental protection.


Jon Miller's coastal engineering research team at the beach with their jet ski.Coastal, Marine and Naval Systems

Our research in this focus area supports development of technologies related to enhancing the resilience of coastal communities and design of advanced marine systems.

Also, Stevens is a key partner in GO Blue, an NSF-backed center advancing marine energy and the blue economy. In collaboration with the University of Michigan and Texas A&M–Corpus Christi, Stevens will help drive sustainable technologies, industry partnerships, and workforce development


A series of windmills in the ocean as part of an offshore wind farm.Applied Cross-Disciplinary Research

Our applied cross-disciplinary research allows us to deliver new technologies and tools with real-world impact, and prepare students to lead in a rapidly evolving engineering landscape.

A solar panel highlighted in green sitting on a roof next to Stevens campus with a view of Manhattan.

Greener, Cleaner — and Smarter

The Stevens Center for Sustainability aims to provide a collaborative, cross-disciplinary platform for researchers to solve critical problems faced by humanity, particularly within communities overburdened by climate change's effects.

Laboratories and Facilities


Federal Funding Agencies

  • National Science Foundation

  • Office of Naval Research

  • United States Department of Energy - Water Power Technologies Office

  • United States Department of Defense - Army - Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC)

  • United States Department of Transportation

  • United States Agency for International Development

  • Naval Air Systems Command

  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

  • United States Department of Defense - Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)

  • United States Department of Housing and Urban Development


State Funding Agencies

  • Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

  • New Jersey Sea Grant

  • New Jersey Water Resources Research Institute

  • The Nature Conservancy

  • New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection

  • New Jersey Department of Transportation

  • New York State Energy Research and Development Authority


Industry and Foundations

  • Spitzer Foundation

  • Hudson River Foundation

  • American Chemical Society Petroleum Research Fund (ACS-PRF)

  • Navatek 

  • National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

  • Gibbs & Cox

  • ATR Corporation

  • Pliant Energy Systems 

Research Video Library

Learn more about research in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering. Visit our YouTube channel playlist.

Davidson Lab wave and towing tank

Research at the Leading Edge

The Davidson Laboratory uniquely integrates naval architecture, coastal and ocean engineering, physical oceanography, marine hydrodynamics and maritime systems to create a trans-disciplinary enterprise that can address both the highly specialized issues confronting each discipline, as well as the more complex, integrated issues facing natural systems and human-made maritime activities.

Christos Christodoulatos explains an environmental engineering project in the Nicholl Laboratory to Lin Zhang, Annie Song and Jean Zu

The Center for Environmental Systems

The Center for Environmental Systems is recognized as a leader in the development, evaluation and implementation of new environmental technologies. Through collaborations with government agencies and industrial partners, we work to generate new scientific knowledge, which leads to the creation of innovative technologies, sound environmental policy and sensible resource management.