Rob Pinkel’s pioneering work in instrument development, ocean dynamics research lauded
Rob Pinkel, a Scripps Institution of Oceanography professor and a leader in the study of small-scale ocean processes, will receive the Henry Stommel Research Award from the American Meteorological Society (AMS) today.
The award is granted to researchers in recognition of outstanding contributions to the advancement of the understanding of the dynamics and physics of the ocean. Pinkel, who received his doctorate in oceanography from Scripps in 1974, pioneered the development of specialized instruments for observing ocean internal waves, turbulence, and other physical characteristics. With them, Pinkel has led major studies of ocean dynamics, such as the 1999-2005 Hawaii Ocean Mixing Experiment, which studied tidal generation of large amplitude internal waves around the Hawaiian Islands.
The AMS citation credits Pinkel “for developing outstanding instrumentation, using it widely, and interpreting the results to advance understanding of numerous small-scale processes in the upper ocean.”
“I first met Henry Stommel in 1967, while an undergraduate summer student at Woods Hole (Oceanographic Institution),” said Pinkel. “After these many years, it’s an honor to be selected for the award that bears his name.”
Pinkel’s laboratory has developed a variety of sensors that measure internal and surface waves via remote sensing, using Doppler sonars to provide sophisticated information about ocean dynamics. Most recently, Pinkel’s laboratory is experimenting with optical fibers to measure ocean temperature and using ocean-wave power to propel a vertically profiling instrument package known as the Wirewalker.
Pinkel was born on March 30, 1946 in Cleveland, Ohio. He received a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Michigan in 1968, and a master’s degree in physical oceanography in 1969 at Scripps before receiving his Ph.D. five years later. His advisers at Scripps were Russ Davis and the late Fred Spiess.
The award is named for Henry Stommel, who is considered among the leading physical oceanographers of all time. Stommel was primarily affiliated with Woods Hole, where he worked until his death in 1992.
The presentation takes place at the 92nd Annual Meeting of the Society in New Orleans.
– Robert Monroe
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Students on geology courses are the happiest with their degrees, this mark another great achievement!
As an Geology student not from USA, I am very interested in ocean exploration and discoveries about the dynamics. I live at calm sea Baltic sea and this is interesting, but I am more interested in oceans so I am very happy about anyone who gets awarded in this field for realy good job and discoveries. Congratulations!
Congrats Rob and wish you all the success. Keep up the good work
Congratulations!
I am studying Geology and Oceanography was one of my favorite courses. It is the biggest reward for a researcher to be granted the Henry Stommel Award and I want to congratulate you for achieving this milestone.
Congratulations, really great stuff.
Congrats on the award part. Your research will have followers and fans.
Thanks for the research
Congrats Dr. Pinkel. Thanks for the research. Being a ocean lover and sailer a lot more work needs to be done. This is a “wild and wonderful” world that can be very unforgiving and work to help explain what goes on is important.
Congrats Rob, we know that the ocean have a lot of species that needed to be discover and studies their history and ability. I think Rob have the honor to receive the award.
Cheers!
Well Spoken my friend! I love the passion people have for their jobs!
Congratulations, really great stuff.
Robert,
Is is possible to use your Deep-8 photo in a paper I am writing?
Thanks.
James
James, please email us at explorations@ucsd.edu and we will be happy to send it.