Dr Robert Williamson

DST/NRF PDP Post-Doctoral Fellow

During my undergraduate studies in environmental science I was fortunate to participate in various coastal-oriented training cruises. My broad interest in the environment began to focus more on the biophysical processes in the marine realm. This realignment of my studies allowed me supervision from both an oceanographers and biologists perspective, which itself proved a valuable contribution to my experience. The deterministic and stochastic nature of various interactions within my selected field led me to apply probabilistic methodologies for understanding and predicting how systems develop over time. Currently I am exploring the feasibility of using remote sensing data to predict nearshore processes that are yet to captured in sufficient detail by satellite sensors.

Degree: Post Doctorate

Supervisors: Dr. Tommy Bornman (SAEON Elwandle) and Prof. Albertus J. Smit (University of the Western Cape)

Project duration: June 2016 to June 2018

Host: Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (UWC) and SAEON Elwandle Node

Project title: Nearshore variability of coastal proceses along South Africa’s shoreline.

Abstract: An initial analysis will compare in situ records of nearshore temperature time series with various corresponding remote sensing sea surface temperature data (in terms of resolution and level of processing). The results will be discussed in terms of the suitability of these data products to study nearshore processes.

Following this, the dynamic nature of coastal and offshore features visible to satellites (e.g. atmospheric and oceanic frontal features, local wind and sea surface temperature phenomena) will be incorporated into a model developed to discover patterns in complex systems, to explore their influence on nearshore temperature variability.

Status: Data analysis, model development.

Umbrella programme: South African Coastal Temperature Network

Running cost funds: SAEON Elwandle Node, SA/Poland Bilateral, SMCRI

Bursary: Professional Development Programme (NRF)

Email: robert@saeon.ac.za