In an endeavor to navigate the careers in ocean research, Iury and Sid participated in the ONR Code 322 Graduate Student and Postdoc Workshop, hosted in Arlington, VA, on May 22-23, 2023. This comprehensive career workshop illuminated the diverse array of  opportunities, showcased the pivotal functions of the Office of Naval Research (ONR), emphasized the art of science communication, underscored the importance of safe and inclusive fieldwork practices, and facilitated networking among peers and potential employers. This workshop was attended by various officials from U.S. Navy, ONR, NOAA, NSF, NRL etc.

This workshop helped the attendees see their research as contributing to the broader society.  Moreover, the workshop’s focus on science communication resonated deeply and recognized its pivotal role in conveying the significance of their work to diverse audiences.

Finally, the networking sessions held great value as they allowed Iury and Sid to connect with potential employers and peers. These connections opened doors to opportunities, form mentorship and collaborations.

 

We are excited to share the latest research on Journal of Physical Oceanography led by our former student, Caique Luko, who has been making remarkable strides in the field of physical oceanography in the Brazil Current region. His recent article, titled “Topographically-generated submesoscale shear instabilities associated with Brazil Current meanders,” delves into the fascinating dynamics of the interaction of the Brazil Current and the convoluted topography in the Southeast Brazil.

Authors: Caique D. Luko, Cauê Z. Lazaneo, Ilson C. A. da Silveira (Advisor), Filipe Pereira, and Amit Tandon (Co-Advisor)

The western boundary current system off southeastern Brazil is comprised of two main currents: the poleward flowing Brazil Current (BC) in the upper layer and the equatorward flowing Intermediate Western Boundary Current (IWBC) beneath it. This intricate system exhibits recurrent cyclonic meanders between 22°S and 23°S, which grow quasi-stationarily through baroclinic instability. However, the specific triggers for these meanders have remained elusive until now.

This article sought to shed light on the mechanisms initiating the formation of these mesoscale eddies by incorporating the submesoscale component into the hydrodynamic scenario. They conducted a high-resolution numerical simulation using the Coastal and Regional Ocean COmmunity model (CROCO) at a regional 1/50° (∼2-km) resolution.

Their findings unveil an intriguing process: incoming anticyclones reaching the slope upstream of separation regions induce barotropic instability, thus serving as a trigger for meander formation. This, in turn, generates submesoscale cyclones, which, in conjunction with baroclinic instability, contribute to the growth of the meanders, resulting in a submesoscale-to-mesoscale inverse cascade. As the mesoscale cyclones continue to develop, they interact with the slope, generating inertially and symmetrically unstable anticyclonic submesoscale vortices and filaments.

Caique Luko’s research not only enhances our understanding of the complex dynamics within the western boundary current system but also highlights the importance of considering submesoscale processes in the broader hydrodynamic context. His work opens new avenues for exploring the mechanisms underlying mesoscale eddy formation in the Brazil Current region.

We are immensely proud to share that Caique Luko has continued his academic journey as a Ph.D. student at the prestigious Scripps Institution of Oceanography. This remarkable accomplishment underscores his dedication, expertise, and passion for advancing our understanding of the oceans. We congratulate Caique on his significant contributions to the field of oceanography and look forward to witnessing the continued impact of his research.

For more information about Caique Luko’s article and his ongoing research, please follow him on ResearchGate.

Viktoriya was recently featured in the Feature stories section of UMassD. Find more about the different avenues she pursued before doing her undergraduate thesis in the Tandon Lab, in the article here.

Congratulations Vicky!