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Postdoctoral Fellow

Nelson Gouveia

Nelson Gouveia

Postdoctorial Fellow in Geography, University of Victoria    
Contact

Spectral Lab Research:

As part of the Sargassum Project, I am developing a predictive model to forecast the influx of Sargassum along the northern coast of Brazil. The objective is to better understand how oceanographic, continental, and atmospheric variability influences the dynamics, transport pathways, and coastal landfall of Sargassum. The project also aims to assess the vulnerability of affected coastal regions, with a focus on environmental, social, economic, and public health impacts.

Background:

I am a scientist dedicated to understanding interconnected processes that link continental hydrology and biological and physical processes in the oceans and atmosphere. My work focuses on understanding the interactions between these systems to address pressing environmental challenges. With a strong interdisciplinary background, I am passionate about leveraging advanced data analysis techniques, modeling, and remote sensing to tackle environmental issues. I hold a PhD and a Master's degree in Remote Sensing, with expertise in data science, machine learning, hydrodynamic modeling, and Lagrangian ocean modeling.

expertise and experience:

remote sensing, modeling, hydrology, data science, machine learning

Publications:

Furtado, M. D. S. C., Queiroz, J. C. B., Bentes, B., Gouveia, N. D. A., de Lima, M. J. A., Ruffino, M. L., & Isaac, V. (2024). How does climate change affect small scale fisheries? A case study of the Lower Amazon in Brazil. Fisheries Management and Ecology, 31(1), e12654. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12654

Julio Lara

Julio Lara

PhD in Marine Sciences, National Autonomous University of Mexico    
MS, National Autonomous University of Mexico
BS Marine Biology, University of the Sea (Mexico)       
Contact      

Spectral Lab Research:

I am a postdoctoral fellow focussed on developing and validating a digital monitoring and forecasting system specifically designed for the Mexican Caribbean to address the persistent challenge of massive Sargassum beach landings. My project combines numerical modeling, high-resolution satellite imagery, and field campaigns to monitor Sargassum at sea and predict its potential coastal arrivals. In the field, I use drifting buoys, drones, ADCPs, and other techniques to characterize winds, currents, and the distribution and trajectories of Sargassum. These measurements provide the critical data needed to calibrate, train, and validate the monitoring and forecasting system, ensuring that it delivers reliable and locally relevant information to support adaptive coastal management.  

Background:

My interest in ocean transport processes has persisted throughout my career. During my undergraduate research in Marine Biology at the University of the Sea (Mexico), I used numerical models to study how distant coral reefs remain connected via larval dispersal. At the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), my Master's work focused on modeling the complex larval transport of commercially important lobster populations in the Gulf of Mexico, developing custom particle-tracking algorithms to capture their unique behaviors. I also contributed to oil spill dispersion modeling at the Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change, simulating the effects of windage and degradation on oil transport. During my PhD in Marine Sciences, I started to investigate the transport dynamics of Sargassum in the Mexican Caribbean involving a combination of different tools plus an interdisciplinary and collaborative approach. Now, my work at UVic bridges biology, oceanography, and computation to transform complex environmental data into practical forecasting tools that help address one of the region’s most urgent coastal challenges.

Expertise and Experience:

oceanography, digital monitoring, forecasting, modeling

Publications:

Lara-Hernández, J. A., Zavala-Hidalgo, J., Sanvicente-Añorve, L., & Briones-Fourzán, P. (2019). Connectivity and larval dispersal pathways of Panulirus argus in the Gulf of Mexico: A numerical study. Journal of Sea Research, 155, 101814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seares.2019.101814

Mohsen Ghanbari

Mohsen Ghanbari

Postdoctoral Fellow in Geography, University of Victoria    
PhD Systems Design Engineering, Vision and Image Processing
Lab, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
MSc Remote Sensing, Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology,
Tehran, Iran
BSc Geomatics Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Contact

Spectral Lab Research:

As a postdoctoral fellow in the SPECTRAL lab, co-supervised by Dr. Maycira Costa (Department of Geography) and Dr. Neil Ernst (Department of Computer Science), I am focused on developing machine learning methods for kelp mapping. In partnership with VERTEX Resource Group and the Hakai Institute, I am working on creating software that leverages deep learning approaches to determine the aerial extent of floating kelp using optical satellite images. The software, called Satellite-based Kelp Mapping (SKeMa), will be primarily used by the First Nations in British Columbia to monitor kelp in their marine Traditional Territories.

In line with the Space Strategy for Canada and Canada's Strategy for Satellite Earth Observation, this project aims to use Space-Based Earth Observation (SBEO) satellite images to aid First Nations in monitoring critical kelp ecosystems impacted by climate change. The active participation of the First Nations in the software development process will be crucial to ensure the final software is as user-friendly as possible. The developed framework will significantly enhance the use of SBEO imagery by the First Nations, enabling them to monitor essential habitats for Pacific salmon, a species of ecological, cultural, and economic significance in British Columbia. Furthermore, it will help identify key conservation areas, potential sites for kelp restoration, and planning for wild kelp harvest and aquaculture, contributing to the Blue Economy.

Background:

My previous experience includes the development, implementation, and optimization of machine learning-based algorithms for processing remote sensing images to extract useful information through image segmentation, classification, and change detection. I have also been involved in the development, implementation, and optimization of algorithms for satellite systems. Previous research has mainly focused on synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellites and SAR image processing.

Expertise and Experience:
remote sensing, synthetic aperture radar, systems engineering, machine learning

Publications:

Ghanbari, M., Xu, L., Clausi, D., A. (2023). Local and Global Spatial Information for Land Cover Semi-Supervised Classification of Complex Polarimetric SAR Data. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing.

Ghanbari, M. (2021) Classification of Compact Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar Images. PhD Thesis, University of Waterloo.

Ghanbari, M., Clausi, D., A., Xu, L. (2021).CP-IRGS: A Region-Based Segmentation of Multilook Complex Compact Polarimetric SAR Dat. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing.

Ghanbari, M., Clausi, D., A., Xu, L., and Jiang, M. (2019). Contextual Classification of Sea-Ice Types Using Compact Polarimetric SAR Data. IEEE Transactions on Geoscience and Remote Sensing.

Ghanbari, M., and Akbari, V. (2018). Unsupervised Change Detection in Polarimetric SAR Data With the Hotelling-Lawley Trace Statistic and Minimum-Error Thresholding. IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing.

Ghanbari, M., and Akbari, V. (2015). Generalized Minimum-Error Thresholding for Unsupervised Change Detection from Multilook Polarimetric SAR Data. IGARSS 2015, IEEE International Geoscience and Remote Sensing Symposium, Italy, Milan, 26–31 July 2015.

Jordanna Bergman

Jordanna N. Bergman

Postdoctoral Fellow in Geography, University of Victoria
PhD in Biology, Carleton University    
BSc in Marine Biology, University of South Florida
Contact  

Spectral Lab Research:

Hi! For my postdoc, I have the privilege of working with Drs. Maycira Costa and Anne Salomon to evaluate the spatial-temporal dynamics of kelp-encrusting bryozoans ("KEB") across British Columbia's coast. In close collaboration with Indigenous, government, and research partners spanning from Haida Gwaii to Victoria, we seek to evaluate the abiotic and biotic variables that may be influencing KEB presence, abundance, and distribution within kelp forests. Encrustation by bryozoans may not only affect kelp forest health and resilience, but could also influence the diverse ecological communities they support. By weaving together ecological theory and Indigenous Knowledge to better understand how kelp forests tolerate and recover from KEB, amid phenological shifts due to climate extremes, we hope to illuminate their current and future health, and persistence.

Background:

I'm a Canadian-American aquatic ecologist and conservation scientist. My love for the outdoors fueled a passion to learn how to take care of our beautiful world, and encouraged my desire to pursue a career in environmental research. For more, see:

https://jordannabergman.wixsite.com/jordannabergman

Expertise and Experience:

biodiversity, ecology, conservation, scientific diving

Marta Konik

Marta Konik

Postdoctoral Fellow in Geography, University of Victoria    
PhD Natural Sciences, The Institute of Oceanology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Sopot, PL
MSc Oceanography, Marine Physics, The University of Gdansk, PL
BSc Physical Oceanography, The University of Gdansk, PL       
Contact     

I have a background in physical oceanography and remote sensing. I am particularly interested in the relationships between seawater properties and biological and physical processes in the ocean, which I observe using various satellite sensors. I have used optical imagery to analyze ocean colour and phytoplankton composition, as well as active microwave sensors to describe the sea surface and identify oil spills. My PhD research focused on the near-surface cyanobacteria blooms in the Baltic Sea, and characterizing their impact not only on the ocean colour, but also on the sea surface temperature and roughness observed with several types of satellite sensors.

During my postdoctoral research, I will apply my knowledge to map kelp beds with optical and SAR imagery (Synthetic Aperture Radar). Such a synergistic approach will provide more frequent information on the kelp bed extent since the SAR measurements are less sensitive to clouds. More detailed information on the seasonal kelp bed changes will help characterize their biomass fluctuations better and detect the alerting trends. 

 Publications:

Weitkamp, L., Barclay, A., Beamish, R.J., Costa, M., Farley, E., Freshwater, C., Gilk-Baumer, S., Graham, C., Howard, K., King, K., Konik, M., Murphy, J., Neville, C., Pakhomov, E.A., Radchenko, V., Riddell, B., Rondeau, E., Saunders, M., Schubert, A., VanDoornik, D., Yang, B. (in press). Highlights of the 2022 IYS Pan–Pacific Winter Expedition. North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission Bulletin.

Konik, M., Angelica Peña, M., Hirawake, T., Hunt, B.P.V., Suseelan Vishnu, P., Eisner, L.B., Bracher, A., Xi, H., Marchese, C., Costa, M. (2024). Bioregionalization of the subarctic Pacific based on phytoplankton phenology and composition. Progress in Oceanography, 228, 103315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pocean.2024.103315

Pramlall, S., Jackson, J., Konik, M., Costa, M. (2023). Merged multi-sensor ocean colour chlorophyll product evaluation for the British Columbia coast. Remote Sensing, 15, 687. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15030687

Romina Vanessa Barbosa

Romina Vanessa Barbosa

Postdoctoral Fellow in Geography, University of Victoria

Contact  

PhD, Marine Ecology, Université de Bretagne, Brest, France

MSc, Oceanography, Instituto Oceanográfico da Universidade de São Paulo (IO-USP), Brazil.

BSc, Biology, Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (UNC), Cordoba, Argentina.      

I am a marine ecologist interested in the relationship between the environment and species distribution and dynamics. I aim to understand how environmental conditions affect the species at different levels of biological organization and spatial scales. That is, how environmental conditions affect the species' individuals by conditioning their performance on diverse physiological processes such as growth and reproduction, as well as how such environmental conditions affect population-level processes such as recruitment and mortality rate. The same environmental conditions could affect at different levels of organization in a contrary way, making complex patterns emerge. In order to understand such complex relationships, I integrate diverse sources of observation (such as aerial images and field sampling) and experimental data into correlative and mechanistic models. They allow me to reproduce the observed distribution and dynamic of species and infer the potential effects of particular environmental conditions such as the high temperatures during heat-wave events. 

Currently, during my postdoctoral research, I work with the First Nations of the Broughton Aquiculture Transition Initiative (BATI), the Spectral lab, the Kelp Rescue Initiative, and the Salmon Coast Field Station (SCFS). Our goal is to improve our knowledge about the distribution and state of kelp in the Broughton area (northeast of Vancouver Island) and how it could help in the recovery of wild salmon populations in the area by giving them better habitat conditions. My specific objectives in the project are to perform field observations and species distribution model predictions to map the distribution of bull kelp in the Broughton area. Furthermore, I will calibrate a Dynamic Energy Budget model for the bull kelp, Nereocystis luetkeana, to identify the main drivers of its temporal changes and the physiologic processes involved. Finally, I will participate in assessing the use of kelp habitat for juvenile salmon for evidencing the potential importance of kelp for salmon population recovery in the area.

 

Nasiha Jahirhussain

Nasiha Jahirhussain

Post Doctoral Researcher

Nasiha is an optical oceanographer, carrying out research in satellite remote sensing analysis of coastal, estuarine and open ocean waters. Earlier research modules during her Ph.D. work were involved in biogeochemical characteristics of oceanic waters by the use of remotely sensed satellite imagery. Nasiha had developed several in situ observation-based ocean optical models and their proof-of-concept algorithms for remote sensing implications, to better understand the oceanographic particle system spanning from sediment settling velocity to particulate load composition. Nasiha engaged in a number of ocean research cruises for the field measurement of optical-oceanographic parameters such as radiometric quantities, coefficients of absorption, attenuation, scattering and fluorescence, turbidity together with aerosol optical thickness of the atmospheric column.

Presently, Nasiha is working in the FOCOS (Ferry Ocean Colour Observation Systems) research project that acquires and utilizes autonomous above-water radiometric measurements, primarily for the satellite remote sensing applications of marginal seas and dynamic coastal waters. Her recent study depicted the spatial variability of in situ remote sensing reflectance to derive uncertainties associated with transitional water boundaries and optically complex coastal waters. The research work showed that the high spatial variability in remote sensing reflectance was predominantly associated with the spatial dynamics of the optical water constituents, thus limiting the use of these datasets as Fiducial Reference Measurements for the satellite validation process. Nasiha is currently working with a large hyperspectral FOCOS dataset for the robust evaluation of satellite retrieved and atmospherically corrected reflectance.

Nasiha is an independent researcher, yet a collaborative teammate. To further say about Nasiha, she believes in the collective knowledge acquired by humanity to date, and her favorite quote is by Isaac Newton, “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”.

Alejandra Mora-Soto

Alejandra Mora-Soto

Postdoctoral Fellow in Geography, University of Victoria

2021, PhD in Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, UK. 2012, MSc. in Environmental Monitoring, Modelling and Management, King's College London, UK.

2006, Geographer, Universidad de Chile, Chile


Contact | alemoras@uvic.ca |

My background is in geography and remote sensing. My PhD research was on the distribution and changes of the giant kelp forest ecosystem, with focus on the sub-Antarctic latitudes of South America. I developed kelp mapping techniques using Google Earth Engine and Sentinel-2 imagery, validated with UAV and underwater surveys. I also compared current and historical kelp distributions using nautical charts from the 19th century, and analysed their future trends through the frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves and marine cold-spells around southern Patagonia.

My current postdoctoral research is on the resilience of the kelp forests along the British Columbia coast. The aim of this project is to determine the long-term distribution patterns of kelp forests (giant and bull kelp), to define their spatial-temporal resilience to environmental and biotic drivers. This project also employs a large amount of datasets, from satellite imagery to nautical charts to define how kelp canopies are changing over time.

Outside of my work, I enjoy knitting and drawing. I’m also an amateur accordionist always willing to learn and play more songs.

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

 

Gita Narayan

Gita_Narayan.jpg

Postdoctoral Researcher

Ph.D., 2011. University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

M.Sc, .2003, University of Victoria, Victoria B.C.

B.Sc., 1998 University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta

Link to Thesis

Gita is working collaboratively with members of the SPECTRAL Lab, on a project focused on quantifying kelp spatio-temporal resilience to changing environmental and climatic conditions across coastal British Columbia (BC). This project will involve cooperation with different coastal communities and institutions across BC and it will be based on the assessment of large spatial and temporal datasets of kelp distribution, both historically and more recently. The project will initially focus on coastal areas of the Salish Sea and expand to include the broader coastal areas along BC's coast. The project aims to: (i) collaboratively develop spatiotemporal map of kelp extent; and (ii) define environmental and biological drivers of kelp change. The findings of this project will help support and improve kelp forest conservation and management strategies.

Gita has a background in marine micropalaeontology and ecology. She received her PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia, her MSc from the University of Victoria, BC and her BSc (Zoology) from the University of Alberta. She has worked as a marine (geo-) ecologist in the temperate, coastal ecosystems of British Columbia and in the tropical coral reef ecosystems and associated habitats in Eastern Australia (PhD) and in Zanzibar, East Africa (Postdoctoral research at the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research, Bremen, Germany). Her expertise and previous experience has been built upon research on benthic foraminiferal taxonomy and ecology. Her broader interests include marine benthic community ecological health assessments and the response of key marine bio-indicators and ecosystem engineers to long-term ecological changes in coastal marine environments. In her spare time, Gita studies herbal medicine (part-time) and is interested in local botany (including marine plants), gardening and spending time in or by the ocean.

Links to Publications



Christian Marchese

CM_IMG_UVIC_LAB (2).jpeg

Christian Marchese

Postdoctoral Fellow

PhD. University of Quebec

I am a biological oceanographer and I obtained my PhD in Environmental Sciences at the University of Quebec in Rimouski (UQAR). I am interested in understanding phytoplankton dynamics and productivity in the coastal and open ocean. My research explores the importance of physical-biological interactions in the pelagic realm and how simultaneous changes in several environmental drivers are affecting marine ecosystems. Most of my work is involved in generating long-term time-series by combining satellite information, field measurements, and model-derived data.

My postdoctoral research with the Hakai Coastal Initiative aims at identifying, by using very high-resolution satellite data, coastal marine biogeochemical provinces of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska and their spatial-temporal dynamic. Defining a coastal marine bioregionalization at regional scales will enhance understanding of how organisms and food webs may respond to different biophysical conditions.


Fernanda Giannini

fernanda.jpg

Post Doc Researcher  
University of Victoria (UVic)/University of British Columbia (UBC)/Hakai Institute

PhD. University of São Paulo

MSc. Federal University of Rio Grande


Contact  |  Thesis    

I completed a PhD on Biological Oceanography, with main research interest on phytoplankton ecology and photo-physiology, primary production, ocean color and remote sensing of the ocean, coastal water bio-optics and riverine-coastal oceanography. The main focus of the current project is to combine high resolution satellite remote sensing with in situ oceanographic sampling to examine the spatial and temporal variability of the physical, chemical and biological properties of the coastal oceans from British Columbia to Southeast Alaska. The project aims to address what are the spatial and temporal dynamics of the biogeochemical properties of the coastal oceans of British Columbia and Southeast Alaska; what are the dominant bottom-up control processes driving the dynamics of these regions; and what are the implications of bottom-up processes for regional primary productivity, and the foraging habitat available to migrating juvenile salmon. 

Publications:

1.    Ciotti, Á.M., Ferreira, A. and Giannini, M.F. 2018. Seasonal and event-driven changes in the phytoplankton communities in the Araçá Bay and adjacent waters. Ocean & Coastal Management.

2.    Giannini, M.F.C., Harari, J., Ciotti, A.M. 2017. The use of CBERS (China-Brazil Earth Resources Satellite) to trace the dynamics of total suspended matter at an urbanized coastal area. Brazilian Journal of Oceanography. v. 65(2), p. 309-323, doi: 10.1590/S1679-87592017135006502

3.    Giannini, M.F.C. and Ciotti, A.M. 2016. Parameterization of natural phytoplankton photo-physiology: Effects of cell size and nutrient concentration. Limnology and Oceanography. v. 61, p. 1495 - 1512. doi: 10.1002/lno.10317

4.    Ferreira, A., Ciotti, A.M., Giannini, M.F.C. 2014. Variability in the light absorption coefficients of phytoplankton, non-algal particles, and colored dissolved organic matter in a subtropical bay (Brazil). Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. v. 139, p. 127 – 136

5.    Giannini, M.F.C., Garcia, C.A.E., Tavano, V.M. Ciotti, A.M. 2013. Effects of low-salinity and high-turbidity waters on empirical ocean colour algorithms: An example for Southwestern Atlantic waters. Continental Shelf Research. v. 59, p. 84 - 96

6.    Moser, G.A.O., Ciotti, A.M., Giannini, M.F.C., Tonini, R.T., Harari, J. 2012. Changes in phytoplankton composition in response to tides, wind-induced mixing conditions, and freshwater outflows in an urbanised estuarine complex. Brazilian Journal of Biology. v. 72(1), p. 97 - 11

Karyn Suchy

Post Doctoral Researcher
PhD Biology (University of Victoria)  
BSc, MSc Zoology (University of Manitoba)

Contact | Thesis

Research Areas:
My broad interests are in zooplankton ecology and biological oceanography. For my PhD research, I determined how short-term variations in food quantity, food quality, and primary productivity influence zooplankton communities in coastal marine ecosystems on the west coast of Canada and in the tropical waters of Guanabara Bay, Brazil. The main goal of my postdoctoral work is to investigate the level of synchrony between phytoplankton and zooplankton phenology in the Salish Sea. Time-series data for phytoplankton will be derived from various sources (satellite imagery, buoy data, ferry data, citizen science data, and research cruise data) and then coupled with historical and present zooplankton data. By looking at long-term spatial data of phytoplankton and zooplankton, we can identify their response to different climate drivers (e.g. SST, wind) and global climatic indices. Ultimately, changes in the seasonal patterns of these lower trophic levels will provide insight into their influence on the growth, survival, and overall return strength of salmon populations in the region.