Adam Douglas Switzer

Biography

Adam Switzer is a NRF Singapore Fellow who holds concurrent positions as Nanyang Assistant Professor at NTU and Principal Investigator at the Eath Observatory of Singapore (EOS). He is primarily a sedimentologist with interests in coastal geomorphology, palaeoenvironments and natural hazards. The overarching driver of his research is a desire to use geomorphological and sedimentological techniques to solve contemporary problems at local, regional and international scales. His main research interest lies in using coastal stratigraphy to define the recurrence interval of catastrophic marine inundation events (tsunami or large storms) and investigate the relationship between tectonics and climate change in coastal systems. After obtaining a BSc and PhD in Geosciences from the University of Wollongong, Australia he accepted an Endeavour Australia Cheung Kong fellowship to study at The University of Hong Kong where he held positions as Post-Doctoral Fellow and Centenary Research Assistant Professor. 

Research Interest

"Adam Switzers main research interest lies in using coastal stratigraphy to define the recurrence interval of catastrophic marine inundation events (tsunami or large storms). His most significant contributions to the field include: * the first study of modern storm deposits from the Australian southeast coast; * the recognition that immature heavy mineral suites in coastal sandsheets may indicate tsunami deposition rather than storm deposition in coastal settings; * the recognition of an erosional signature of large scale washover of coastal dunes using Ground Penetrating Radar; * initial evaluation of the sedimentary processes associated with the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami on the southeast coast of India a definitive review and re-analysis of large boulder accumulations in coastal settings on the southeast Australian coast."