Neil Malan PhD - Numerical modelling of the oceans around Southern Africa

Neil is a PDP PhD student working with Dr. Juliet Hermes on numerical modelling of the oceans around Southern Africa. With a background in oceanography and climate dynamics, his PhD work focuses on understanding the driving mechanisms which maintain upwelling systems on the east coast, their interaction with the Agulhas Current, and their sensitivity to large scale climatic changes. This work involves the use of two different Ocean General Circulation Models, as well as both in-situ and satellite observations, in order to try and understand the complicated dynamics at work when the Agulhas - one of the fastest ocean currents on earth - comes into contact with the South African coast.