Alumni

Graduate Student (Ph.D. 2012)

Now: Professor, University of Southern California

luhar@usc.edu

Lab Website

At MIT I studied the flow-induced reconfiguration of flexible aquatic vegetation through a combination of theoretical analysis and laboratory experiments. Many species of aquatic vegetation are flexible: they are pushed over into streamlined postures by currents, and they move passively with the flow for parts of a wave cycle. In addition to limiting the drag generated by the vegetation (advantageous in high flow environments!), this passive reconfiguration also influences light availability and nutrient uptake. By generating drag and reducing near-bed flow, aquatic vegetation limits erosion and provides shelter for fauna. By producing oxygen and taking up excess nutrients from the water, aquatic vegetation can prevent dangerous eutrophication and anoxia. As a result, an improved knowledge of vegetation reconfiguration can help coastal engineers quantify the ability of aquatic vegetation to provide habitat and prevent erosion, and help ecologists understand how flow affects the health of aquatic vegetation.

Postdoctoral Fellow (2011-2012)

Now: McKinsey & Company, Luxembourg Office

fkerger (at) alumni.ulg.ac.be

The objective of my research is to assess the actual impact of vegetation on both the turbulent structure of the flow at the bed and its capacity to affect the bed load transport.

Graduate Student (S.M. 2011)

Now: Project Manager, China Development Bank, Beijing, China

zonglijun@gmail.com

At MIT I used laboratory experiments to study the deposition of sediment in a partially vegetated shallow channel.

Graduate Student (Ph.D. 2010)

Now: Executive Director, Ping An Overseas Holdings

xyzhangmit (at) yahoo.com

At MIT I used experiments and modeling to evaluate the impacts of vegetation on the thermally-driven exchange flows. The presence of vegetation may shelter the water and reduce the incident solar radiation, generating spatial gradients in water temperature. In addition, the vegetation provides significant drag that may reduce the magnitude of resulting exchange flows.

Graduate Student (Ph.D. 2008)

Now: Senior Lecturer, University of Aberdeen

ytanio (at) abdn.ac.uk

At MIT I developed and validated new predictive models for vegetation-generated turbulence and turbulent diffusivity within regions of uniform vegetation.

Graduate Student (Ph.D. 2006)

Now: Professor of Marine Sciences, UNC -Chapel Hill

bwhite (at) unc.edu

My current research focuses on the fluid dynamics of the ocean, specifically buoyancy-driven flows, turbulent mixing and eddies and their influence on global climate. I am also interested in physical-biological interactions in coastal and estuarine systems, particularly toward making our coasts more climate-resilient.

Graduate Student (Ph.D. 2007)

Now: Associate Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of New Hampshire

anne.lightbody (at) unh.edu

At MIT I studied the hydrodynamics of treatment wetlands and coastal wetlands.

Graduate Student (S.M. 2006)

Now: Senior Research Engineer, Water Resources Team Lead / Ocean, Coastal and River Engineering, National Research Council Canada

enda.murphy (at) nrc-cnrc.gc.ca; murphye (at) alum.mit.edu

At MIT I used experiments and numerical simulation to understand the effects of vegetation on mass transport in aquatic systems.

Graduate Student (Ph.D. 2005)

Now: Professor, University of Western Australia

marco.ghisalberti@uwa.edu.au

Graduate Student (Ph.D. 2000)

Now: Professor, University of Iceland Reykjavik

hrund (at) hi.is