I am an Associate Professor at Rowan University in the Department of Environmental Science.
In the past, my research has included studies investigating the changing flood risk in New York City from the past millennium through the year 2300 due to tropical cyclones, storm surge, and sea-level rise. I have also worked on projects related to the evolution of sea-level rise projections, which included the development of a comprehensive database of global sea-level rise projections.
Currently, I am continuing research related to the impacts of a changing climate on natural hazards, including increasing flood risks associated with tsunamis and sea-level rise, evolving characteristics of tropical cyclones in a changing climate, and changing flood risks related to storm surge and rising sea levels. I am also working to better understand how we use and communicate information about sea-level rise projections.
In addition to working on innovative research projects related to climate change, I am committed to bringing this important science to the public. I have spoken about my work at the NJ March for Science, as well as at events hosted by groups such as the New Jersey Sierra Club and Society of American Military Engineers. I have also worked with students in my sea-level change course to have them discuss future sea-level change in New Jersey, and what we can do about it, with members of the public in coordination with Edelman Planetarium at Rowan University. I also regularly discuss climate change and its coastal impacts with members of the media.
My recent Op-Ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer: Cuts to science funding will create a flood of challenges in our coastal communities
New research assessing the Evolution of Global Sea-level Change Projections, published in Earth's Future
My recent piece in Eos, discussing The Global Impact of Losing U.S. Sea-level Science
My talk in Hour 94 of the 100-hour Climate and Weather Livestream: Hope Amidst Storms of Change
Atlantic hurricanes are strengthening faster, more quickly, study finds--I discuss my recent research with the Washington Post
Currently funded NSF CAREER Grant: Leveraging Past Projections of Sea-level Rise to Reduce Uncertainty of Future Sea-level Change
From Garner et al., 2026 in Eos: Total number of sea level rise projection studies published each year from 1982 to 2025 (gray bars) and the number of studies each year that were led by scientists based at U.S. institutions (purple bars)