image: 2008 Rosenstiel Award Winner Dr. Dennis McGillicuddy. view more
Credit: WHOI
Virginia Key, Fla.-- The University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science announced today that it has selected Dennis J. McGillicuddy, Jr., Ph.D., as recipient of the 2008 Rosenstiel Award. McGillicuddy, a senior scientist in the department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in Woods Hole, Mass., is a pioneer in the study of physical-biological interactions in the ocean. His multidisciplinary studies of plankton and ocean currents are helping to decipher what controls the productivity of marine ecosystems and how this affects the global carbon cycle.
The Rosenstiel Award is designed to honor scientists who, in the past decade, have made significant and growing impacts in their field. It's an award targeted for researchers who, in their early to mid-career stages, are already making outstanding scientific contributions.
McGillicuddy has broken new ground by bridging the gap between several physical and biological oceanographic disciplines, revolutionizing progressive marine ecosystem modeling and observations. He has developed physical-biological models for studying the population dynamics of copepods (tiny free-swimming crustaceans) on Georges Bank, as well as harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Maine. Some of these models have assimilated physical and biological data, an important step in providing forecasts of harmful algal blooms (including “red tides.”)
“Understanding how marine systems function requires an integrated strategy that includes theory, observation and modeling,” said McGillicuddy. “By weaving these three approaches together, we can build comprehensive simulations that explicitly resolve the coupled physical-biological-chemical processes. This integration of observations and models not only provides a useful methodology for oceanic process studies, but also maximizes the utility of observations and aids in their interpretation.”
McGillicuddy’s research uses field data, satellite remote sensing and numerical models. Projects range from mesoscale ocean dynamics to coastal ocean prediction, bio-optics, marine biogeochemistry, marine ecology, and fisheries oceanography. He also has a distinguished publication record, with more than 52 refereed journal publications to his credit. As a member of the steering committees for US GLOBEC (GLOBal ocean ECosystem dynamics) and GEOHAB (Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms), he participates actively in the oversight of national and international programs pursuing interdisciplinary research.
Raised in west Florida, McGillicuddy received his B.A. in Engineering Science cum laude at Harvard in 1987 and his Harvard M.S. in Applied Physics in 1989. Subsequently, he received his Ph.D. in Earth and Planetary Sciences in 1993, also at Harvard.
The Rosenstiel Award, created through an endowment from the Rosenstiel Foundation, recognizes outstanding scientists for their contributions to marine science. It is awarded annually to one individual on a rotating basis for achievements in six broad disciplinary areas: marine geology and geophysics; meteorology and physical oceanography; marine and atmospheric chemistry; marine biology and fisheries; applied marine physics; and marine affairs. This year's award to Dr. McGillicuddy falls within the discipline of applied marine physics.
Founded in the 1940's, the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science has grown into one of the world's premier marine and atmospheric research institutions. Offering dynamic interdisciplinary academics, the Rosenstiel School is dedicated to helping communities to better understand the planet, participating in the establishment of environmental policies, and aiding in the improvement of society and quality of life. For more information, please visit www.rsmas.miami.edu