Tatiana X. Hernandez, P.E.
Water Resources Engineer
Tetra Tech, Chicago, Illinois
BS Civil Engineering/Hydraulics, National University of Colombia, Medellin, Colombia, 1997
MS Civil Engineering/Hydrology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida, 2001

Having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Colombia, Tatiana Hernandez came to the United States in 1998 with limited knowledge of English.  With determination to succeed, she enrolled in English classes and volunteered as an assistant engineer.  Eight years later, she earned a Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, has gained extensive experience in civil design and water resources modeling working for government and private consulting engineering firms and obtained her Professional Engineering License in the State of Florida.

Hernandez has taken leadership roles in several professional organizations such as the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the local Engineers Week committee, affording her the opportunity to encourage students to pursue careers in engineering by mentoring, teaching, and giving presentations.  She has just completed a two-year term as the president of the Central Florida Professional Chapter of SHPE.  Her research has been published in peer reviewed technical journals and has been presented at three conferences.

Hernandez is currently employed by Tetra Tech as a Water Resources Engineer.  As project engineer, she was responsible for developing FEMA floodplain zones in the city of Deltona, Florida.  There she contributed to the design and permitting of a $2 million emergency system that provides an outfall to 31 lakes and flooding relief to 57,000 residents in Deltona, in response to the 2002-2003 flooding emergency.  She has also designed and permitted several other stormwater projects in Central Florida.  Hernandez recently transferred to Tetra Tech’s office in Chicago.