• 2020 STEM Hero •

Since she started her career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Carolina Burnette has proven herself as a leader in coastal storm risk management planning and flood risk management planning in the Jacksonville District with particular emphasis on her work in Puerto Rico.

Currently the lead planner on the first ever coastal storm risk management study in Puerto Rico, Ms. Burnette provides support across disciplines for planning studies throughout the commonwealth including the San Juan Metro Back Bay study (the first of its kind in Puerto Rico).

In addition to her contributions to Puerto Rico she successfully completed the Gasparilla Lee County coastal storm risk management study. She completed numerous Project Information Reports post Hurricanes Hermine, Matthew, Irma, and Maria resulting in rehabilitation of Federal Projects in Florida and Puerto Rico after the disastrous storms.

Born and raised in Colombia; Ms. Burnette was the first woman in her family to obtain a college degree, graduating with a Civil Engineering degree in 1998 from the Industrial University of Santander. She later earned a Masters degree in the Coastal Engineering program at the University of North Florida.

Described by her colleagues as strong and perseverant, Ms. Burnette performs her work with passion and high commitment as guided by her Hispanic roots.