University of Massachusetts, Boston team
Ryan Dorland, Graduate Student
University of Massachusetts Boston
Ryan is a doctoral candidate studying the physical processes of strong currents and eddies in polar oceans. He studies the impact of currents on zooplankton processes. To do this, he uses direct measurements in the field combined with mathematical methods and computer modeling back at the lab. He employs Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) technology that uses sound waves to measure ocean currents and zooplankton distributions beneath ships. He uses these data to estimate This will be Ryan’s fifth trip to the Antarctic in the past five years. When not working in the lab or in Antarctica, Ryan can be found jogging, reading history novels, camping primitively or following his favorite baseball team, the Minnesota Twins.
Di Wu, Ph.D. candidate
Environmental, Earth and Ocean Science department
University of Massachusetts Boston
Di was trained in mechanical engineering. However, when she started applying for
graduate schools, she decided to become an oceanographer. She works on the interaction of physical
and biological processes in the California Current off the Oregon coast. She
specializes in using an Optical Plankton Counter (OPC) to measure zooplankton
sizes. Di uses the information about these sizes to understand the plankton
food web. Di also studies
strong ocean currents and eddies. This information helps Di to understand the rate of movement of
zooplankton through such waters as the Antarctic coastal regions. In her spare
time, Di enjoys traveling, reading and baking homemade bread.
Meng Zhou, Associate Professor
University of Massachusetts Boston
Meng is a physical oceanographer who has spent more than 10 years studying zooplankton behavior and population dynamics. Meng studies physical processes of ocean currents and eddies, and their impacts on zooplankton processes and distributions. He takes measurements using acoustic and optical devices in the Southern Ocean, Norwegian coastal oceans, Massachusetts Bay, Hudson River and California Current off the Oregon coast. He analyzes physical and biological processes using numerical models, and he develops mathematical theories. When not working, Meng enjoys yard work, canoeing, hiking, creative-cooking and traveling. Click here to find some additional information about Meng Zhou.
Yiwu Zhou, Research Associate
University of
Massachusetts, Boston
Originally from China, Yiwu graduated from Tsinghua
University, China, and the State University of New York at Stony Brook in
applied math and mechanical engineering. Her love of nature brought her to the
fields of physical and biological oceanography. Yiwu has been working on
projects of plankton dynamics, physical processes and their impacts on plankton
distributions. She does this both by writing computer codes and by going to
sea. She has traveled to the
Arctic, Antarctica, and tropical regions for various projects, but her passion
for world travel hasn’t yet been fulfilled. When not working, Yiwu spends time
digging dirt in her garden, or digging wisdom from books.
