Aubin Vertueux Dzossa Bontse ’27 harnesses the power of data at Furman Engaged

Aubin Vertueux Dzossa Bontse ’27 has experienced, firsthand, the need for climate resilience research. The sophomore physics major with a minor in data analytics hails from Yaounde, Cameroon, a place where extreme heat and the need for real solutions to combatting that issue are at the forefront of his mind.

Furman University has given Bontse an opportunity to combine his academic pursuits with real-world impact. In just his second year, he is exploring the intersection of engineering, sustainability and research through multiple avenues, including the upcoming Furman Engaged event on April 11.

“Furman Engaged is an opportunity to show how research extends beyond the classroom,” Bontse said. “My project isn’t just about analyzing climate risk – it’s about using data to inform real-world decisions that impact communities.”

Bontse’s work at the Shi Institute for Sustainable Communities began with a summer research opportunity that extended into the academic year. His primary focus involved analyzing environmental risks – particularly extreme heat vulnerability – in South Carolina communities designated as disaster-prone. Using satellite data, census demographics and geographic information systems (GIS) software, Bontse and his team created heat vulnerability maps for municipalities like Bluffton, Fountain Inn, and Goose Creek. These maps identified not only the hottest areas but also socially vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by extreme heat.

Bontse put this research to the test and worked directly with local government officials, presenting his findings and advising on climate resilience plans. Those recommendations helped municipalities allocate resources effectively, ensuring efforts like tree-planting and reflective pavement installation targeted the most at-risk areas.

“One of my biggest takeaways from Furman so far is that every field is interconnected,” he said. “The solutions to climate change aren’t just in science – they’re in policy, economics, engineering, and community planning.”

Furman Engaged provides Bontse with a platform to share this impactful work. While his presentation highlights data-driven climate solutions, it also underscores a broader theme – the power of interdisciplinary learning. Bontse came to Furman seeking a strong physics foundation but discovered how his interests intersect to tackle real-world problems.