Three U.S. Geological Survey scientists in scuba gear work to install a wave buoy and pressure sensor 60 feet underwater to measure waves and water levels in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Legna M Torres-García, Ph.D.
Legna M. Torres-García is a Research Oceanographer at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Legna Torres García's work focuses on using multi-scale observational and numerical model data to understand circulation, waves, sediment transport, and coastal vulnerability. Her research includes simulations of hydrodynamics and coastal change in Puerto Rico and the Florida Keys. In addition, she is a principal investigator on a project on assessing the coastal vulnerability of communities in Puerto Rico through a focused stakeholder engagement approach. Her focus on both numerical model development and stakeholder engagement enables her to address community needs with the best available science.
Professional Experience
Research Oceanographer, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Geology Science Center, 2022 to present
Postdoctoral Research Oceanographer, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Geology Science Center, 2020 to 2022
Scientist, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal & Marine Geology Science Center, 2014 to 2016
Teaching Assistant, University of South Carolina, Geology Laboratory Coordinator
Education and Certifications
Ph.D., (2020), University of Florida, Major in Oceanographic and Coastal Engineering, Dissertation: Hydrodynamics and sediment mobility in degraded barrier coral reefs
M.S., (2014), University of South Carolina, Major in Geology; Earth and Ocean Sciences Department, Thesis: Flow Dynamics in the Transition Zone from Estuarine Tidal to Fluvial Regime
M.S., (2009), University of South Carolina, Major in Physics, Physics and Astronomy Department, Thesis: Search for Interstellar Silicate Dust in Four Quasar Absorber Galaxies
B.S., (2006), University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez, Major in Physics, Physics Department
Science and Products
Three U.S. Geological Survey scientists in scuba gear work to install a wave buoy and pressure sensor 60 feet underwater to measure waves and water levels in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Tres científicos del Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos en equipo de buceo instalando una boya de olas y un sensor de presión a 60 pies de profundad para medir las olas y niveles de agua en Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Tres científicos del Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos en equipo de buceo instalando una boya de olas y un sensor de presión a 60 pies de profundad para medir las olas y niveles de agua en Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
A group of divers (from left to right: Legna Torres-Garcia, BJ Reynolds, and Dave Thompson) from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center prepare to deploy a solar-powered Sofar spotter buoy off the coast of Puerto Rico.
A group of divers (from left to right: Legna Torres-Garcia, BJ Reynolds, and Dave Thompson) from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center prepare to deploy a solar-powered Sofar spotter buoy off the coast of Puerto Rico.
A team of divers from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center on a small boat off the coast of Puerto Rico. They deployed oceanographic instruments and wave buoys in 60m of water to measure waves, wind, and water levels.
A team of divers from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center on a small boat off the coast of Puerto Rico. They deployed oceanographic instruments and wave buoys in 60m of water to measure waves, wind, and water levels.
A team from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center went to Puerto Rico to install new Coast Cams to monitor how the beach and shoreline change through time. These cameras will allow the team to make predictions of how the coast will respond during storms and hurricanes.
A team from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center went to Puerto Rico to install new Coast Cams to monitor how the beach and shoreline change through time. These cameras will allow the team to make predictions of how the coast will respond during storms and hurricanes.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently installed camera systems and wave buoys in Dorado and Isla Verde, Puerto Rico to assist scientists with monitoring and predicting coastal change. The cameras provide near-real time images that can be viewed online.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently installed camera systems and wave buoys in Dorado and Isla Verde, Puerto Rico to assist scientists with monitoring and predicting coastal change. The cameras provide near-real time images that can be viewed online.
Dr. Legna Torres-García conducts an erosion model activity at the LCC Day School in St. Petersburg, FL, to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
Dr. Legna Torres-García conducts an erosion model activity at the LCC Day School in St. Petersburg, FL, to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
Dune restoration efforts in Isabela, Puerto Rico, using wooden planks to promote sand accumulation.
Dune restoration efforts in Isabela, Puerto Rico, using wooden planks to promote sand accumulation.
Wooden boardwalk built to protect fragile dunes from pedestrians in Isabela, Puerto Rico.
Wooden boardwalk built to protect fragile dunes from pedestrians in Isabela, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Dr. Legna Torres-García is a Research Oceanographer at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Dr. Legna Torres-García is a Research Oceanographer at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Science and Products
Three U.S. Geological Survey scientists in scuba gear work to install a wave buoy and pressure sensor 60 feet underwater to measure waves and water levels in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Three U.S. Geological Survey scientists in scuba gear work to install a wave buoy and pressure sensor 60 feet underwater to measure waves and water levels in Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Tres científicos del Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos en equipo de buceo instalando una boya de olas y un sensor de presión a 60 pies de profundad para medir las olas y niveles de agua en Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
Tres científicos del Servicio Geológico de los Estados Unidos en equipo de buceo instalando una boya de olas y un sensor de presión a 60 pies de profundad para medir las olas y niveles de agua en Isla Verde, Puerto Rico.
A group of divers (from left to right: Legna Torres-Garcia, BJ Reynolds, and Dave Thompson) from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center prepare to deploy a solar-powered Sofar spotter buoy off the coast of Puerto Rico.
A group of divers (from left to right: Legna Torres-Garcia, BJ Reynolds, and Dave Thompson) from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center prepare to deploy a solar-powered Sofar spotter buoy off the coast of Puerto Rico.
A team of divers from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center on a small boat off the coast of Puerto Rico. They deployed oceanographic instruments and wave buoys in 60m of water to measure waves, wind, and water levels.
A team of divers from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center on a small boat off the coast of Puerto Rico. They deployed oceanographic instruments and wave buoys in 60m of water to measure waves, wind, and water levels.
A team from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center went to Puerto Rico to install new Coast Cams to monitor how the beach and shoreline change through time. These cameras will allow the team to make predictions of how the coast will respond during storms and hurricanes.
A team from the USGS St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center went to Puerto Rico to install new Coast Cams to monitor how the beach and shoreline change through time. These cameras will allow the team to make predictions of how the coast will respond during storms and hurricanes.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently installed camera systems and wave buoys in Dorado and Isla Verde, Puerto Rico to assist scientists with monitoring and predicting coastal change. The cameras provide near-real time images that can be viewed online.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently installed camera systems and wave buoys in Dorado and Isla Verde, Puerto Rico to assist scientists with monitoring and predicting coastal change. The cameras provide near-real time images that can be viewed online.
Dr. Legna Torres-García conducts an erosion model activity at the LCC Day School in St. Petersburg, FL, to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
Dr. Legna Torres-García conducts an erosion model activity at the LCC Day School in St. Petersburg, FL, to showcase how hurricane-force winds can cause damage to coastal environments.
Dune restoration efforts in Isabela, Puerto Rico, using wooden planks to promote sand accumulation.
Dune restoration efforts in Isabela, Puerto Rico, using wooden planks to promote sand accumulation.
Wooden boardwalk built to protect fragile dunes from pedestrians in Isabela, Puerto Rico.
Wooden boardwalk built to protect fragile dunes from pedestrians in Isabela, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows a sea fan coral (Gorgonia) in the center, surrounded other corals and fishes.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Coral reef in La Parguera, Lajas Puerto Rico shows various types and conditions of corals, including sea fan corals (Gorgonia) in the center.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Mangroves grow along the coast in La Parguera, Lajas, Puerto Rico. Mangroves help protect the coast during storms.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Coral reef in Tres Palmas Marine Reserve at Steps Beach, Rincón, Puerto Rico.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Buildings destroyed during Hurricane Maria in Rincón, Puerto Rico. Photograph taken on August 28, 2021, almost four years after the hurricane.
Dr. Legna Torres-García is a Research Oceanographer at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Dr. Legna Torres-García is a Research Oceanographer at the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center in St. Petersburg, Florida.