Graduate opportunities in env. fluid mechanics at University of New Hampshire

[tracy...@gmail.com]

Graduate student (MS/PhD) opportunities are available to work with Prof. Tracy Mandel and/or Prof. Theresa Oehmke at the University of New Hampshire in the Mechanical Engineering or Ocean Engineering programs. Projects are primarily experimental, focusing on environmental/ocean fluid processes. Currently, students are sought to work on the following projects:

• Surface signatures of aquatic ecosystems: Characterizing and monitoring the spatial extent, health, and general characteristics of aquatic ecosystems like seagrass meadows presents a challenge that evolves both in space (due to fragmentation of these habitats) and time (due to tides, seasons, and ecosystem growth). The hydrodynamic signatures that these aquatic ecosystems leave on the water surface may serve as a proxy for characteristics of the system, as well as the flow it is exposed to. The successful graduate student will conduct laboratory studies on how the flexibility of submerged vegetation affects the observed surface signature. The student will work with multi-camera optical measurement techniques and single-point velocimeters and use a new open-channel flume located in UNH’s Chase Ocean Engineering lab. Advisor: Tracy Mandel. Desired start date: Spring 2024 or sooner.
• Seed transport in coastal vegetation: Genetic diversity in seagrass influences both short- and long-term resilience to environmental change. However, the effects of hydrodynamics on the genetic diversity and structure on seagrass populations is poorly understood. The graduate student will investigate transport and settling of seeds in a model seagrass bed under currents and/or oscillatory flow to compare with measurements of seagrass genetic diversity in the local Great Bay Estuary (collected and analyzed by project collaborators). The project involves measurements of final settling distributions of seeds under different release points and flow conditions; further experiments studying particle motion using particle tracking techniques are also possible. Advisors: Theresa Oehmke & Tracy Mandel. Desired start date: Spring or Fall 2024.

The Ocean Engineering (OE) and Mechanical Engineering (ME) programs at UNH have a number of world-class experimental and field facilities, including an oscillating water tunnel, a deep-water wave tank, a 60'x40'x20' open-water test tank, an atmospheric boundary layer-scale wind tunnel, and several different field stations. Prospective students with other environmental and experimental fluids interests may contact Dr. Mandel and/or Dr. Oehmke to discuss other possible projects.

For more information about degree/program requirements, visit the OE and ME program websites. Applicants should have a degree in engineering, physics, or earth/marine sciences, and have experience in quantitative and scientific analysis. Students with previous experience in experimental fluid mechanics are strongly preferred. Strong verbal and written communication skills are required.

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Tracy Mandel at tracy....@unh.edu and/or Dr. Theresa Oehmke at theresa...@unh.edu with information on their research experiences and interests, as well as their motivation to pursue a graduate degree. Please include a current CV. More information about faculty research can be found on Dr. Mandel’s lab website and Dr. Oehmke’s website.