How can island nations build resilient water futures?

Across the world, countries are grappling with a critical reality: climate change is influencing the way water behaves, putting pressure on coasts, rivers, reservoirs and urban stormwater systems. Staying resilient depends on understanding how water moves and designing infrastructure that can withstand what’s coming.

It’s these very challenges that Jacobs’ Project Manager and Environmental Engineer Michael Gillen is helping Singapore overcome. 

With experience across hydrology, hydraulics and environmental systems, Michael works at the intersection of water and climate, developing powerful, science-driven solutions that support Singapore’s long-term climate resilience. From assessing large-scale coastal protection strategies to shaping climate resilient masterplans and designing reservoirs, dams and dykes, he helps strengthen critical infrastructure across the island.

Beyond the coast, Michael plays a central role in shaping resilient water and wastewater systems, and ensuring treatment plants, pipelines and stormwater networks operate safely under increasing climate pressure. With hands-on mastery of hydraulic modeling tools , he empowers clients to visualize future climate scenarios, understand complex water movement patterns and make informed, climate ready decisions.

Grounded in technical depth and driven by purpose, Michael is passionate about bringing clarity to complexity — enabling organizations to turn climate challenges into resilient water futures.