Overview
My research at the intersection of mathematics and oceanography produces novel insights into ocean physics using nonlinear dynamics and other advanced mathematical tools. My work encompasses research in physical oceanography, coherent structures, machine learning, and environmental modeling. This interdisciplinary approach combines rigorous mathematical theory, ocean physics, data analysis, and computational methods to solve complex oceanographic problems spanning fundamental research and practical applications for offshore safety and environmental protection.
Google Scholar profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=d9P4fiYAAAAJ
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Research Innovation and Impact
My research has generated 20+ scholarly works (400+ total citations, h-index: 11, i10-index: 12), 5 software packages, and 5 datasets, with methodology adopted across 14 oceanic regions globally, and extensive collaborations across 9 international research groups. Developed and validated novel methodologies to extract persistent Lagrangian patterns, fundamentally improving the analysis of oceanic transport with widespread impact:
Altering Research Practices: Introduced a reliable approach where none previously existed, now utilized by numerous international researchers across 14 diverse oceanic regions worldwide (including, e.g., the Gulf of Mexico, Bay of Plenty New Zealand, Bay of Bengal, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Caribbean Sea, tropical Atlantic, and Indonesian Seas).
Driving Operational Advancements: Under active consideration by NOAA’s Emergency Response Division and Environment and Climate Change Canada for oil spill preparedness and response, highlighting its practical utility.
Inspiring Broad Applications: Sparking interest for diverse applications beyond initial scope, including fisheries, marine heatwave analysis, and other environmental studies.
Next Generation Training: The methodology has been incorporated into five doctoral dissertations and adopted by three postdoctoral researchers (with a postdoctoral scholar leading a 2019 drifter validation study as first author), helping cultivate a Lagrangian perspective among the emerging generation of oceanographers.
For a comprehensive view of global applications and collaborators using this methodology, see the: detailed research impact page.
Education
Ph.D. Physical Oceanography 2020
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
Oregon State University.
Adviser: Prof. Roger M. Samelson.
Dissertation: Kinematics and Dynamics of a Model Eastern-boundary Poleward Undercurrent.
M.S. Physical Oceanography 2014
College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences.
Oregon State University.
Adviser: Prof. Roger M. Samelson.
Research paper: Establishing suitability of an ocean model for a poleward undercurrent study.
M.S. Mathematics 2013
Department of Mathematics, College of Science.
Oregon State University.
Adviser: Prof. Yevgeniy Kovchegov.
Research paper: Predicting the most likely state for a basic geophysical flow: theoretical framework
B.S. Oceanography 2006
Facultad de Ciencias Marinas.
Universidad Autónoma de Baja California.
Thesis: Calculation of superficial advective velocities from sequential satellite images (AVHRR) in the Gulf of Tehuantepec, México.
Experience
| Research Scientist Planetary Science Institute | 01/2024–Present | |
| Research Scientist Theiss Research | 05/2017–04/2024 | |
| Faculty Research Assistant College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. Oregon State University. | 10/2015–04/2017 | |
| Researcher National Energy Technology Laboratory. U.S. Department of Energy. Oak Ridge Fellowship Program. | 08/2014–09/2015 | |
| Graduate Research Assistant College of Earth, Ocean, and Atmospheric Sciences. Oregon State University. | 09/2008–08/2014 |