Nature’s Armor: Where biology meets geotechnical innovation
What if soil could protect itself?
In this episode of ROCK SOLID LEADERS, I talk with Dr. Brina Montoya of NC State to explore how microbes can turn sand into stone through a process called bio-cementation. From wave tank studies showing bio-cemented dunes resistinghurricane waves to field trials that balance plant growth and soil stability, Dr. Montoya’s research is reshaping the way we defend coastlines, slopes, and infrastructure.
This is more than science—it’s a new vision of resilience, built not with concrete and steel, but with biology itself.