Principal Investigator
Graduate Students
Mallie Hunt
Background: I am from Tupelo, Mississippi and graduated from Mississippi State University in April 2021 with Bachelor’s degrees in Geology and Anthropology. For my first research project as an undergraduate, I worked with water samples taken from the Gulf of Mexico to determine what algal pigments were most significant in remote sensing reflectance. I also completed another project in which I identified algal species within samples collected from a local farm to determine if harmful algal blooms were behind the sudden death of cattle on the property.
Research Interests: My interest in my undergraduate research led me to the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography and the University of Georgia where I will be pursuing my master’s degree in Marine Science. This summer and throughout my time graduate school, I will be working with Dr. Rivero-Calle to characterize the optical properties of algal species who have the potential to cause large and harmful blooms. These optical properties will be included in a hyperspectral library which will be a public resource that links individual algal species to their optical properties such as absorption and backscattering. With access to the information in this library, scientists and resource managers will be able to identify, track, and study algal blooms using satellite data.
Masud-Ul-Alam
Background: Masud is a new graduate student joining the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography for a Marine Science degree in the Fall of 2021. Masud is coming from Bangladesh, where he was an Oceanography lecturer! We can’t wait to meet him and work with him.
Research Interests: I love to observe the ocean, not only with my eyes, but also through remote sensing, including gliders, ARGO floats or even satellites from space. My research interests go beyond a single discipline. Perhaps, the best keywords to express me are Earth data, ocean sensors, scientific coding, ocean color, and artificial intelligence for ocean science. I am eager to unveil the mysteries of the oceans and climate. My journey towards ocean observation has started!
Benjamin Lowin
Background: My long-term goal is to help ensure food security and understand the impacts of climate change on the marine ecosystem. To fulfill this goal, I studied at the University of British Columbia (Canada), the University of Southampton (UK), and the University of Alaska Fairbanks. When studying the ocean I like to take an ecosystem-level approach, understanding the physics, chemistry, and biology of the system. Collaboration is vital when taking this approach, we all have much to share and learn from each other.
Research Interests: My major project while at Skidaway will be the BiOMe project, which aims to update the R/V Savannah’s underway system. This will build upon the existing underway system, adding a suite of optical measurements. The upgrade aims to allow R/V Savannah to collect continuous high-resolution data in support of any cruise.
2021 Summer Interns
Keshav Raviprakash
Background: I am from Cumming, Georgia, and am currently a rising junior undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Computer Systems Engineering at the University of Georgia. My research interests include the intersection of cyber-physical systems and computer engineering with sustainability, cybersecurity, and energy. However, I enjoy learning more about the intersections of technology with other disciplines and hope to gain a better understanding of the world around us.
Projects: This summer, I will be working with Dr. Rivero-Calle to build and configure a Xinabox CubeSat for use by the lab and for the creation of a new class at the University of Georgia in the near future. I will also be working on the NSF BIOME project by integrating the PIGI (Pressure of In Situ Gases Instrument) components for measuring the dissolved O2 and N2 concentrations in surface ocean waters. Both of the systems provide data that will improve in detecting the development of algal blooms across the Southeastern region of the United States as well as provide a better understanding of the factors that lead to this phenomena. Thus, I look forward to this summer and the opportunities that it will bring!
Deanna Edwing
Background: I am originally from Darnestown, Maryland but I just graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) in May 2021 with a B.S. in Oceanography and a B.A. in Geosciences, as well as minors in Geospatial Technologies and Geology. In the Fall, I will be heading off to the University of Delaware to pursue an M.S. in Marine Studies with a Concentration in Oceanography. My primary research interests include using satellite physical oceanography to study nearshore processes such as coastal hazards, but I also enjoy expanding my knowledge into other disciplines which is why this summer will be focused more on Ocean Color!
Project: This summer, I have come to the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography to work with Dr. Sara Rivero-Calle to coordinate image acquisition of the Seahawk CubeSat with NASA Goddard and AAC Clyde Space, handle image requests from the ocean color community, manage the CubeSat website, assist in fieldwork activities, and work on a small research project that investigates the variability in the turbidity of coastal waters of Georgia. I am very excited to be here this summer and I look forward to having the opportunity to explore the surrounding area!
Kelsea Edwing
Background: I am from Darnestown, Maryland, and just graduated from the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW) with a B.S. in Oceanography, a B.A. in Geosciences, and minors in geology and geospatial technologies. In the fall, I will be attending the University of Delaware as a Master’s student in Marine Studies with a concentration in Oceanography. My interests lie in the application of satellites in oceanography, so I enjoy any experience where I can work with satellite imagery and products. While my background is a more interdisciplinary mix between geological and physical oceanography, this summer will be all about Ocean Color!
Project: This summer, I will be working with Dr. Sara Rivero-Calle to coordinate image acquisition of imagery from the SeaHawk-1 with NASA Goddard and AAC Clyde Space. I will aid in handling image requests from the ocean color community, manage the Seahawk-1 CubeSat website, assist in fieldwork activities, and work on a small research project. I look forward to the adventures that this summer will bring!