Project Info

Exploring Great Lakes Wave Dynamics with NASA’s SWOT Satellite

Bia Villas Boas
villasboas@mines.edu
Eric Anderson
ejanderson@mines.edu

Project Goals and Description:

The recently launched NASA Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite is revolutionizing how scientists observe the surface height of water across oceans, rivers, and lakes. Using a novel radar interferometer, SWOT provides the first-ever two-dimensional maps of water surface elevation with unprecedented resolution. This project will explore SWOT’s new capabilities by focusing on the Great Lakes—large freshwater bodies with complex dynamics, including wind-driven waves. Specifically, we will compare and validate SWOT-derived measurements of wave heights and surface winds with in-situ buoy data and observations from other satellite missions. Our goal is to assess the accuracy of SWOT's wave observations and to investigate patterns of wave variability across the Great Lakes. By doing so, we aim to improve our understanding of how surface waves influence lake-atmosphere-ice interactions and to evaluate the potential of SWOT data for advancing surface water research.
The student will work closely with both the Surface Hydrology and Mines Oceanography research groups, participating in weekly meetings with faculty mentors (Anderson and Villas Boas) and contributing to shared datasets and software. A collaborative environment will be promoted through regular interactions with graduate students and postdoctoral researchers from both groups, providing opportunities for peer learning, mentorship, and exposure to a variety of research approaches. Tools like GitHub will support collaborative development and version control, and the student will be encouraged to contribute to group discussions and cross-disciplinary problem-solving during group meetings.

More Information:

Grand Challenge: Engineer the tools of scientific discovery.

Primary Contacts:

Bia Villas Boas, villasboas@mines.edu | Eric Anderson, ejanderson@mines.edu

Student Preparation

Qualifications

To succeed in this project, the student should have experience with basic programming, differential equations, and basic statistics. Previous knowledge of fluid dynamics and remote sensing is not required.

TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)

4

SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED

We’re seeking a student who is curious about Earth’s water systems and eager to apply scientific computing and core STEM concepts to cutting-edge satellite data. As part of this project, you will work closely with researchers from the Surface Hydrodynamics and Mines Oceanography research groups and receive training in data analysis methods, programming, and scientific communication. By the end of the project, the student will have:
  • Gained an understanding of physical processes driving surface waves and wind patterns in Earth’s largest lakes
  • Developed skills in satellite remote sensing, especially radar altimetry and SWOT data products
  • Learned to integrate and compare diverse datasets, including in-situ buoy observations and other satellite measurements
  • Built experience in scientific computing with tools such as Python, and applied best practices like version control, documentation, and data visualization
  • Practiced collaborative research, open science, and project communication through GitHub

MENTORING PLAN

The student will be co-mentored by Dr. Eric Anderson and Dr. Bia Villas Bôas through weekly meetings, where guidance and feedback on the project’s progress will be provided. Additionally, the student will participate in biweekly group meetings from both the Surface Hydrodynamics and Mines Oceanography research groups. Depending on the student’s progress and interest, there is the potential for submitting the results of this project for publication in a scientific journal as well as presenting at conferences.

Preferred Student Status

Sophomore
Junior
Senior
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