SMAST Prof. Changsheng Chen and WHOI Scientist Emeritus Robert Beardsley were presented with the annual meeting award last week by NERACOOS, the Northeast Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems.
“From the founding of NERACOOS, Changsheng Chen and Robert Beardsley have led the development and evaluation of numerical models of water properties, currents and waves in the northwest Atlantic,” the award text reads. “These models add value to the NERACOOS data products, and extend the reach of the observing system to a wider spectrum of users by providing real time forecasts.”
The cited models are based on the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model originated by Chen, and developed and refined in collaboration with Beardsley for over a decade. The Marine Ecosystem Dynamics Modeling Group at SMAST, led by Chen, is involved in applying the FVCOM model to aquatic systems the world over.
NERACOOS was incorporated in November 2008 to “lead the development, implementation, operation, and evaluation of a sustained, regional coastal ocean observing system for the northeast United States and Canadian Maritime provinces… .” NERACOOS is one of eleven regional associations that constitute the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®).
Photo, l to r: Changsheng Chen, Zdenka Willis (Director U.S. IOOS Program Office), Robert Beardsley.