As director of CGTC at the University of the Virgin Islands, Guannel leads the organization and its mission to enhance the resilience and sustainable development of the U.S. Virgin Islands by working on applied research projects, and providing subject matter expertise and thought leadership on topics related to civil infrastructure resilience, renewable energy technology and policy, sustainable material management and water resources management. Originally from the Caribbean, Guannel has a M.S. in Civil Engineering from the Ecole Supérieure des Travaux Publics (Paris), a M.S. in Ocean and Coastal Engineering from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering from Oregon State University.