University of Texas at Dallas Engineer Secures NSF Grant for Cutting-Edge Ocean Research
In a significant stride towards advancing our understanding of atmosphere-ocean interactions, Dr. Kianoosh Yousefi, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas, secured a grant of more than $300,000 from the National Science Foundation (NSF). This funding, which is part of a collaborative proposal with Columbia University, will fuel Yousefi’s groundbreaking research on “Evaluating and Parameterizing Wind Stress Over Ocean Surface Waves Using Integrated High-Resolution Imaging and Numerical Simulations.”
The project aims to unravel the intricate interplay between wind stress and ocean surface waves, employing a pioneering approach that combines high-resolution imaging techniques with advanced numerical simulations. Yousefi’s expertise in mechanical engineering and air-sea interactions will be harnessed to develop innovative methods for evaluating wind stress distributions over the ocean surface, a critical aspect of understanding climate patterns and predicting extreme weather events.
This NSF grant recognizes Yousefi’s exceptional capabilities and highlights the importance of his research in addressing critical gaps in our knowledge of ocean dynamics. The investment signifies a strong commitment to advancing scientific frontiers and promoting interdisciplinary research at UT Dallas.
As Yousefi is an early career faculty member who joined the University in 2023, this grant stands as a testament to our faculty’s dedication to fostering cutting-edge research that enhances our understanding of the natural world. The results of Yousefi’s project have the potential to reshape our understanding of oceanic processes and offer valuable insights into the intersection between mechanical engineering and climate science.
The NSF has designated the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UT Dallas as the principal institution leading this collaborative research grant.