ASCE has honored Qin Jim Chen, Ph.D., M.ASCE, with the 2026 Orville T. Magoon Sustainable Coasts Award for excellence in research and education in coastal engineering with nature to mitigate wave effects.
Chen is a globally recognized leader in coastal engineering whose work has had a profound impact on sustainable shoreline and coastal infrastructure management. His pioneering research has advanced the development of open-source numerical models such as FUNWAVE and CSHORE, which are now widely used by engineers and researchers to design resilient, environmentally responsible coastal projects.
Through his work, Chen has helped translate complex physical and ecological processes into practical engineering tools that support sustainable decision-making, enhance coastal protection, and preserve natural shoreline dynamics. His contributions have directly supported projects that balance environmental values with community and infrastructure needs – an approach that aligns closely with the vision and legacy or Orville T. Magoon.
In addition to his technical achievements, Chen is deeply committed to advancing sustainability across the profession through mentorship, collaboration, and dissemination of open-access tools that elevate the entire coastal engineering community. His influence spans research, design guidance, and practical implementation.
The Orville T. Magoon Sustainable Coasts Award recognizes individuals for outstanding contributions to sustainable engineering practices in managing shorelines and coastal infrastructure through research, design, construction, or management of the natural and built environment in the coastal zone. The award recognizes the balance of coastal values with project needs.
