My research focuses on three topics:
1. Submesoscale dynamics in the upper ocean
Uncovering Ocean Mixed Layer Dynamics from the Sea Surface State (Si et al., submitted).
Mixed-Layer Eddies and Vertical Heat Transport over the Antarctic Continental Shelf
Observed by Tagged Seals (Spungin et al., 2025)
(Image credit: meop.net)
2. Abyssal mixing and its impact on ocean circulation and global climate
Tidally-Induced Turbulence in the Abyssal Ocean (Si et al., in prep)
Ocean Mixing and Climate Feedbacks on Exoplanets with Stronger Tidal Forces (Si et al., 2022a)
Bottom Water Transport and Transformation across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (Schmidgall et al., 2023)
3. Ice-ocean dynamics in polar regions
Upwelling meltwater plumes drive warm ocean water shoreward within the submarine troughs, creating a positive feedback that may accelerate future melting of marine-terminating glaciers (Si et al., 2024).
Increased meltwater freshens coastal waters and alters the ocean’s density gradient, generating more ocean eddies that transport heat onshore, thereby accelerating melt through a second positive feedback (Si et al., 2023).
Sea Ice-Ocean Mechanical Interactions and Topographic Eddy Suppression (Si et al., 2022b)
