The Cooperative Institute for Climate, Ocean, and Ecosystem Studies

During the summer of 2023, I had the incredible privilege of participating in the CICOES REU, an experience that far exceeded my expectations and left an indelible mark on my personal and academic growth. Over the course of this transformative summer, I not only developed as a student, but also evolved as an aspiring researcher.

My research explored patterns within diverse headland environments, utilizing idealized numerical modeling of wave-driven flow in conjunction with particle tracking. This endeavor was motivated by an interest in understanding the role of ocean currents and wave interactions with environmental factors like coral reefs, rip currents, and rocky shorelines in fostering ecological connectivity among marine organisms. Throughout this journey, I dedicated myself to mastering various aspects of Python packages, particularly Xarray, to effectively process data and uncover meaningful patterns. My mentor played a pivotal role in my progress, offering unwavering support through enlightening one-on-one discussions and sharing valuable insights into their own path to a postdoc position.

The summer also provided ample opportunities to engage with diverse research areas. I was invited by my mentor to participate in the weekly UW Environmental Fluid Mechanics lunches, where I was able to meet and learn from graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and established researchers, gaining invaluable insights into their ongoing projects and experiences in the world of research and graduate school. My expressed interest in fieldwork led to an exciting opportunity to join a demonstrative cruise aboard the Rachel Carson, where I not only learned about various career trajectories, but also had the chance to contribute to research endeavors. Furthermore, I had the unique experience of visiting a NOAA facility to assist in collecting oyster data for a fellow intern’s project.

My time with CICOES was truly eye-opening and immensely valuable. I was fortunate to share this journey with an extraordinary cohort that became both academic peers and close friends, with whom I explored the vibrant city of Seattle and the beauty of Washington. CICOES’ unwavering support, including informative seminars and their availability for questions and concerns, added a cherry on top to my unforgettable summer experience. I am deeply grateful to CICOES for providing me with this amazing research opportunity.

Project Introduction

Research Poster