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Francis Poulin
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Project: Western intensification in the ocean by submesoscale dynamicsFrancis Poulin is an assistant professor in applied mathematics at the University of Waterloo. His main research interest is geophysical fluid dynamics. Poulin investigates the large-scale dynamics of the ocean, with an emphasis on exploring the instability of currents. While at CIRES, Poulin will work with Baylor Fox-Kemper’s research group to look at wind-generated ocean gyre circulations. Unrelenting winds that pummel the ocean cause the surface water to begin to flow at about 2 percent of the wind speed and pile up in mounds. These large mounds of water and the flow around them—gyres—produce large circular currents in ocean basins. By using high-resolution, accurate numerical simulations, Poulin hopes to elucidate the energy cascade in the western boundary current and to develop parameters that will help improve the accuracy of General Circulation Models. Poulin enjoys using theoretical models to understand nature, but in Colorado he plans to enjoy nature directly. “To get ready for our trip, I’ve been telling my young daughter that we’re going on a mountain adventure,” he says. Sponsor: Baylor Fox-Kemper Email: fpoulin@uwaterloo.ca |
