About Dirk-Jan Walstra

Dirk-Jan Walstra's professional journey began in 1996 at Delft Hydraulics, a predecessor to Deltares. Over the course of more than two decades, he has contributed significantly to the field of coastal morphodynamics. His roles encompassed both consultancy and research aspects in numerous Dutch and international coastal projects.

Notable among his contributions are the diverse nearshore nourishment projects he has been involved in, spanning regions within the Netherlands and beyond. Dirk-Jan's focus has centered on unraveling the intricacies of cross-shore morphology within these areas, particularly delving into the dynamics of nearshore profiles and sandbars. His comprehensive investigation of these topics formed the basis of his Ph.D. research.

One of Dirk-Jan's significant roles was within the Mississippi Coastal Improvement Program, a support initiative in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in the United States. His involvement underscored his commitment to addressing critical coastal challenges.
Dirk Jan Walstra graduated as a Civil Engineer (Msc.) from Delft University of Technology in 1994 after which he spent two years working for CSIR in South Africa and undertaking coastal engineering consultancy projects related to coastal zone management, sand nourishments for the diamond mining industry in Namibia and harbour extensions in South Africa, Mozambique and the Middle East.

In 2014 he became department manager of the Applied Morphology department, part of the Sea and Coastal Systems unit at Deltares. Since 2005 he also holds a research associateship at Delft University of Technology and is an invited lecturer at Utrecht University (since 2004) and Twente University (since 2008). In 2019 Dirk-Jan became member of the Management Team of Deltares as Director Hydraulic Engineering.

Currently, Dirk-Jan Walstra serves as the Director of Deltares.

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