Patricia Engel
Department of Physical Oceanography
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
Email: engelp@whoi.edu
Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139
Email: engelp@mit.edu
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Geophysical fluid dynamics, dynamical oceanography, coastal oceanography, near-shore
processes, topographic effects, strait dynamics, dense overflows, estuarine physics, and
laboratory techniques.
EDUCATION
present
Graduate Studies, Physical Oceanography, MIT-WHOI Joint Program
2006
B.S., Physics, University of Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana.
EXPERIENCE
2006-present Graduate Research – Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab
Department of Physical Oceanography
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
Advisor: Jack Whitehead
2006
Society of Physics Students - American Institute of Physics Intern
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), D.C.
Mentors: Orkid Coskuner and Cynthia Lo (NIST)
Gary White and Liz Caron (APS)
An 8-week structural and thermodynamical study of aqueous arsenic
by first principles.
2005
NSF - Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Student
Molecular Physics Laboratory, SRI International, California
Mentor: Konstantinos Kalogerakis
A 12 week summer project focused on infrared spectroscopy of thin ammoniahydrocarbon ice films relevant to Jupiter’s atmosphere.
2004
NSF – Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Student
Department of Physics, Plasma Science Laboratory, Auburn University, Alabama
Mentor: Edward Thomas
A 10 week summer project involving the design, construction, installation, and
first tests of temperature gradient induced microgravity conditions in an argondc dusty/complex plasma.
2004-2006
Undergraduate Research Assistant
Nuclear Structure Laboratory, University of Notre Dame, Indiana
Mentor: Philippe Collon
Accelerator Mass Spectrometry: Beam line and Browne-Buechner Spectrograph
restoration, and detector calibration.
AWARDS / HONORS
2006
University of Notre Dame Class of 2006 Outstanding Physics Major Award
2006
Honorable Mention, NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
2006
Phi Beta Kappa Induction
2005-2006
Barry M. Goldwater Scholar
2005-2006
Society of Physics Students Leadership Award 2005-6
2005
Sigma Pi Sigma (ΣΠΣ) Induction (National Physics Honor Society)
2005
American Geophysical Union Student Travel Grant
2004
Undergraduate Student Poster Award
American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics, Fall Meeting
2002-2006
Robert C. Byrd Scholar
2002, 03, 04
Shuichi, Katsu, and Itsuyo Suga Scholar
2002
University of Notre Dame Scholar
2002-2006
University of Notre Dame Arts and Letters/Science Honors Program
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Coming soon… none so far
ABSTRACTS and CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS
Engel P, O. Coskuner, C. Lo, “Structural and Thermodynamical Studies of As(III) and
As(V) by First Principles” Stanford Environmental Molecular Science Institute
2nd Annual Meeting, August 7, 2006. Poster.
Engel P, Kalogerakis K “Infrared Spectroscopy of Ammonia – Hydrocarbon Ices Relevant to
Jupiter’s Clouds” American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting San Francisco California, Dec. 5,
2005. Poster.
Engel P, Silver J, Thomas E “Microparticle transport in an argon dc glow discharge dusty plasma
due to an applied temperature gradient” American Physical Society Division of Plasma Physics
Fall Meeting Savannah Georgia, Nov. 16, 2004. Poster.
PROPOSALS FUNDED
Coming soon… none so far
PROFESSIONAL TALKS and PRESENTATIONS
2007
Jelly Talk, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, date and title TBD
2006
American Institute of Physics Summer Intern Final Presentations, American
Center for Physics, Maryland, “Structural and Thermodynamical Studies of
Aqueous Arsenic by First Principles” August 1, 2006.
2005
University of Notre Dame Honors Program Seminar, “Nuclear Astrophysics,
Environmental Science, and Detector Calibration” Nov. 16, 2005.
2005
SRI International, Molecular Physics Laboratory, REU Presentation
“IR Spectroscopy of Ammonia-Hydrocarbon Ice Films Relevant to
Jupiter’s Atmosphere”, California, August 5, 2005
2005
19th National Conference on Undergraduate Research Lexington Virginia,
“Dust Transport in an Argon DC Glow Discharge Dusty Plasma” Apr. 22, 2005.
2004
Department of Physics, Auburn University, REU Final Presentations,
“Microparticle Transport Driven by a temperature gradient in a dc glow
discharge plasma” Alabama, July 29, 2004.
SHIPBOARD EXPERIENCE
2006
PhilEx Exploratory Cruise, R/V Melville, 28 days
Chief Scientist: Arnold Gordon (Lamont Doherty Earth Observatory)
Watch stander responsible for collection and analysis of CTD data.
Assisted and observed deployment and recovery of ADCP moorings, ARGOS
floats, glider, and Microstar drifters.
2005
MIT-WHOI Joint Program Introductory Cruise, SEA
SSV Corwith Cramer, 10 days
Watch stander. Assisted in collection and analysis of CTD data, shipec
grabs, Nansen tows, water sample analysis, lookout, navigation, steering,
maneuvering under sail, and cleaning the ship.
LEADERSHIP and SERVICE
2007-2008
Secretary, EAPS (MIT Department) Graduate Student Activities Council
2007-2008
President, Green Hall Dormitory, MIT
2006-2007
Council Member and Speaker Organizer, Tech Catholic Community
2006-2007
Department Representative, Graduate Student Council
Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Science, MIT
2006-2007
Floor Officer, Green Hall Dormitory, MIT
2005-2006
Past President, Society of Physics Students, University of Notre Dame
2004-2006
College of Science Undergraduate Representative, University Committee
on the Academic Code of Honor, University of Notre Dame
2004-2005
President, Society of Physics Students, University of Notre Dame Chapter
2004, 2005
Judge, Northern Indiana Regional Science & Engineering Fair
2004
Undergraduate Representative, Physics Departmental Honor Code
Committee, University of Notre Dame
2004
Treasurer, Society of Physics Students, University of Notre Dame Chapter
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
2003
Collaborative Learning Group Leader, University of Notre Dame
Tutor of freshmen studying engineering physics.
2002, 2003
Summer School Teacher’s Aide, Punahou School, Hawaii
Book Cooks 1 & 2. Reading, writing, math, cooking and crafts with 25 first and
second graders.
2000-2002
High School Math Tutor, Punahou School, Hawaii
Math tutor for Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Calculus.
NON-REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
Engel P "Spectography: Browne-Buechner Resurrected" Technical Review: University of Notre
Dame Engineering Magazine, Vol 58, No.1, Winter 2005 page 22-23.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
American Meteorological Society 2007-present
American Geophysical Union (AGU) 2005-present
Society of Physics Students (SPS) 2004-2007
Society of Rheology (SoR) 2005-06
American Physical Society (APS) 2004-05