Students

Emily Rogalsky

  • Name: Emily Rogalsky
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Environmental Policy and Institutional Behavior
  • Email: rogalsky at eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: At the Summer Institute I am working on piloting the Transatlantic Glider RU27, aka the Scarlett Knight. This glider is currently crossing the Atlantic Ocean and will potentially land in Spain in the next few months. After the glider utilizes the speed of the Gulf Stream it has to navigate through the complicated eddy field while battling biofouling. In addition to the piloting I am working on a model that will help us navigate the glider out of an eddy using the velocity of the glider and current that the glider is currently stuck in.
Kaycee Coleman

  • Name: Kaycee Coleman
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Marine Biology/Biological Oceanography
  • Email: kaco@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: At the Summer Institute Dani and I are working on comparing the velocities of the Glider with CODAR currents and ADCP (Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler) currents. An ADCP measures velocity using sonar and the Doppler shift. The sonar is emitted from the ADCP and is dispersed to the ocean floor. The sonar is then bounced back to the ADCP which calculates the velocity throughout the water column using a Doppler shift. Specifically we were looking at data from March 11th-14th, because this is when the Sharp (a boat equipped with an ADCP) was in the same region on the continental shelf that the Glider was profiling. Our main goal in doing this is to see how well the Glider is measuring velocity. The ADCP currents best matched the Glider currents on March 12th, when the Glider was flying deeper. Any discrepancies between the Glider currents and the ADCP currents are most likely due to the differences in depth and longitude and latitude. Dani will explain the differences between the Glider and the CODAR currents. The Summer Institute has been a great experience for me because I got very comfortable working with MATLAB and sorting though data. We also spent a great deal of time one on one with our professors since we had so many question, but everything worked out in the end.
Danielle Holden

  • Name: Danielle Holden
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Physical Oceanography
  • Email: dbholden@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: While at the Summer Institute, Kaycee and I have been testing whether the glider is processing data accurately. After comparing the glider to the ADCP, we decided to incorporate CODAR, a high-frequency radar that measures surface current velocities with the Doppler Shift. Since CODAR measures only surface currents and the ADCP measures deeply, we realized that we can compare the glider to both ADCP and CODAR based on depth. We discovered that when the glider was deep, the glider and ADCP yield similar velocities at the same locations, and when the glider was shallow, the glider and CODAR yield similar velocities at the same locations. Therefore we were able to prove that the glider is, in fact, accurate. For more on how we compared the glider and ADCP, look at Kaycee’s testimony. This was a difficult project because we had to work with and understand MATLAB, but I feel much more comfortable working with MATLAB in the future. Overall, it has been a real pleasure being able to work closely with professors while working in a unique environment.
Mike Smith

  • Name:Mike Smith
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Biological science
  • Email: michaesm@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: At the Summer Institute, I have been working on a CODAR (Coastal Ocean Dynamics Application Radar) resiliency plan. Keeping our High Frequency Radar sites operational is a top priority. The United States Coast Guard is now using our data for search and rescue missions. Consistent, real time data is essential to reach our goals. We have found that it is essential that the COOL Room has two different types of direct communication with each CODAR site. Also, each site must have a backup power source (i.e diesel, solar, wind power) that automatically switches on in the event of a power outage.
Mike Garzio

  • Name: Mike Garzio
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Email: mgarzio@marine.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: I am a graduate student working with marine ecosystems.  I plan on using phytoplankton ecology to better understand the systems as a whole, and I also have a special interest in the Antartarctic/Polar systems.  The changing climate is most prolific down there, and I hope to be able to research the shift in flora and fauna in the ensuing years.
Steven Savard

  • Name: Steven Savard
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Marine Science, Marine Biology/Biological Oceanography
  • Email: sfsavard@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: As part of the Summer Institute I have worked on a compilation of data collected from the West Antarctic Peninsula. This data includes variables such as chlorophyll concentration, HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) pigments, weather data, nutrients, and many others. This compilation has yet to be done, and will thus be used as a basis for many future studies.
Colin Evans

  • Name: Colin Evans
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Marine Science, Biological Oceanography
  • Email: cevans7@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: At the IMCS Summer Institute, I am working with CTD data collected by RU27. Specifically, I am working with density profiles collected in the water column from everyday since RU27 was launched. With this data, I am comparing water column densities and realting it to missed calls and flight patterns so Nilsen and I are working together on this project. As Nilsen stated, we are looking to make a clear, contour plot of a time series focusing on density profiles throughout the trip across the Atlantic.
Nilsen Strandskov

  • Name: Nilsen Strandskov
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Biological Oceanography
  • Email: nstrands@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: At the Summer Institute I am also working with data collected from RU27. Along with Colin, we are working on plotting time series of salinity/temperature/density that the glider has encountered thus far on her Trans-Atlantic journey. I am also in charge of looking at the position of the Iridium Satellites and wave heights to see when and where 27 may run into trouble when she tries to call in.
Anthony Lund

  • Name: Anthony Lund
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major:Environmental Planning and Design, Urban Forestry Certificate
  • Email: anthlundat eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: My name is Anthony Lund and I am a Cook College, Rutgers University senior. I am studying Environmental Planning and Design and I am enrolled in the Community and Urban Forestry Certificate Program. The ocean is an important part of our environment; oceans contain a large amount of bio-diversity, along with helping to regulate our climate and weather. In order to effectively understand the interactions between people and the environment it is important to gain an understanding of the ocean.
    I was a member of the first attempt at a Transatlantic Crossing with a Slocum Electric Glider, using Ru17. Through my aviation experience, I was able to assist engineers and path planners with the daily operations of Ru17. I was also responsible for helping to compile and present the flight data recorded by Ru17. Although 17 did not make the full crossing, the mission was considered a success. Through our experiences from the Ru17 mission, we are constantly changing and adapting various operations of our current Ru27 mission. These experiences will help to ensure a successful completion of the 27 mission; along with providing our team with valuable work and research experience.
Katie Bianchini

  • Name: Katie Bianchini
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Civil/Environmental Engineering
  • Email: kbianchi@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: Here at the summer institute i am continuing to work with the gliders, both in person and through their data. We are working with RU27 to optimize her flight, and prevent major problems by changing and mantaining sensors such as the Fin, Roll, Pitch, Energy, and many others. In addition I am working on gliders that are flying on the Endurance Line of the coast of New Jersey.
Andre Amador Ramirez

  • Name: Andre Amador Ramirez
  • University: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
  • Major: Mechanical Engineering
  • Email: andre.amador@upr.edu
  • Testimonial: My research as a RIOS intern involves the analysis and validation of CODAR HF radar data output from the CDDO station located in Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico. This station was installed last February and we are now looking at its readings for the first time. Since CODAR measures sea surface currents, comparing its output against established systems such as NOAA tidal current predictions, ADCP readings, and ADCIRC Model predictions can tell us if CODAR is operating consistently and accurately. In addition, I have been receiving training on how to troubleshoot a CODAR station.
Christian Sueiras Figueroa

  • Name: Samuel Rivera Aparicio
  • University: University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus
  • Major: Civil Engineering
  • Email: samuel.rivera8@upr.edu
  • Testimonial: In the IMCS Research Internship in Oceanographic Sciences Program (RIOS Program 09), I am working with the data from the 13 MHz Codar System CDDO in Cabo Rojo Puerto Rico, primarily with the ship detection data. The CDDO site was installed in February of 2009 and until now nobody had looked at the data. It is of top priority to calibrate and validate the data of a Codar System once it is installed so that agencies such as the U.S. Coast Guard can use it to enhance emergency responses and identify threats to national security. Also, I have been receiving training in the operation of the hardware and software of the SeaSonde system so that once the summer is finished I will be able to operate and troubleshoot the system in Puerto Rico. Hopefully by the end of the summer the CDDO site will be working at its full potential and providing reliable data.
Carissa Wilkerson

  • Name: Carissa Wilkerson
  • University: Hampton University
  • Major: Marine and Environmental Science
  • Email: carissa.wilkerson@pipeline.hamptonu.edu
  • Testimonial: My research focuses on how storm events impact the Raritan River. My research partner and I are currently analyzing historical precipitation and water quality data to determine the connection between the two. We have also chosen ten stations along the Raritan to sample. We will obtain a vertical profile of each station through the use of a CTD. The parameters that we are testing include salinity, nitrates, dissolved oxygen, pH, and backscatter. The Raritan River is one of the most polluted rivers in the US and has been neglected up until this point. Hopefully we find cutting edge data to aid in future restoration of this river.
Brian Bachrach

  • Name: Brian Bachrach
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Cell Biology and Neuroscience
  • Email: bachrach@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: My responsibility at the Summer Institute involves using a program OBIS.  By using OBIS, I researched every phylum and species of marine life to get an understanding of those species that live in the Atlantic and that may have biological impacts on the glider.  When I find a relevant species, I create an HTML code for that species which includes a picture, OBIS map, and a short summary of information about that species.  This code is then used to update the Biological Interactions page on the Atlantic Crossings website
Dave Kaminsky

  • Name: Dave Kaminsky
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Biological Oceanography
  • Email: kaminsky@marine.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: My primary focus at the Summer Institute is piloting the TransAtlantic glider: RU27. On her journey from the coast of New Jersey across the Atlantic Ocean to Spain, she will encounter biological, chemical, and physical obstacles 24 hours a day. My job is to use the latest data and imagery, collective intelligence, and gut feeling to pilot RU27 via satellite through everything the Atlantic Ocean has to throw at her to get her across to Spain while collecting data from her on-board sensor (CTD). In addition, I also work with the rest of our glider fleet here at Rutgers University during the brief moments of “downtime” we have that RU27 decides to give us every now and then.
Shannon Harrison

  • Name: Shannon Harrison
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Marine Science: Biological Oceanography
  • Email: shann16@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial: I have been working with gliders for two years now and I was involved with RU17’s mission. This summer I am working on RU27’s mission to cross the Atlantic. I use satellite data and imagery to help guide RU27 across the ocean. Sea surface temperature, altimetry, HYCOM, and chlorophyll data is used in Google Earth to choose new waypoint to send to RU27. I also look at RU27’s velocity and other flight dynamics to monitor how she is flying and to help make waypoint decisions.
Dakota Goldinger

  • Name: Dakota Goldinger
  • University: Rutgers University
  • Major: Marine Science w/ a Biological Oceanography
  • Email: dakotag@eden.rutgers.edu
  • Testimonial:
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