Faculty & Staff

Silvia Matt

Research Scientist

silvia.matt@nova.edu

Education
Area(s) of Research

I am interested in numerical modeling and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) of turbulent flow, in particular gravity currents and other features involving small-scale dynamics and coherent structures, such as for example ship wakes. We are investigating the hydrodynamics of these flow features with application to remote sensing.

Another aspect of my research is mathematical modeling for the Electromagnetic Observatory, using computational fluid dynamics to investigate magnetic field disturbances in the ocean induced by internal waves.

Recently, my research also involved investigating the effect of surfactants on the air-sea interface and near-surface turbulence. We studied this effect with both laboratory techniques and numerical modeling.

I am also working with two students on an interdisciplinary project using molecular biology methods to look at the microbial composition of the sea surface microlayer in relation to physical oceanography and remote sensing.

Statement of Teaching Philosophy

I became a physical oceanographer because of a class I took and the great teacher I had in that class. In my teaching, I try to instill in students that same fascination for the ocean and its dynamic that inspired me during my own studies.

I know from personal experience that physics and math may be harder to approach for someone coming from a different background, such as biology, and I am committed to making even seemingly difficult topics approachable and enjoyable for all students.

Coming from an interdisciplinary background, my goal is to promote to students a comprehensive picture of oceanography, and to bridge gaps between disciplines.

Publications

Matt, S., A. Fujimura, A. Soloviev and S.H. Rhee, 2011. Modification of Turbulence at the Air-Sea Interface Due to the Presence of Surfactants and Implications for Gas Exchange. Part II: Numerical Simulations. In: "GAS TRANSFER AT WATER SURFACES 2010" , Kyoto University Press. View entire paper.

Soloviev, A. V., S. Matt, M. Gilman, H. Hühnerfuss, B. Haus, D. Jeong, I. Savelyev and M. Donelan, 2011. Modification of Turbulence at the Air-Sea Interface Due to the Presence of Surfactants and Implications for Gas Exchange. Part I: Laboratory Experiment. In: "GAS TRANSFER AT WATER SURFACES 2010" , Kyoto University Press. View entire paper.

Matt, S., M. Iskandarani and K. D. Leaman, 2009. The impact of temporal variability in forcing on a 2D gravity current from a high-order non-hydrostatic spectral element model. In: The International Conference MSS-09 "Mode Conversion, Coherent Structures and Turbulence", November 23-25, 2009", Conference Proceedings, URSS Publishing House, Moscow, p. 249-254.

Matt, S., P. K. Flook and C. H. F. Rowell, 2008. A partial molecular phylogeny of the Eumastacoidea s. lat. (Orthoptera, Caelifera). Journal of Orthoptera Research, 17(1), 43-55. View entire paper.

Matt, S., and W. E. Johns, 2007. Transport and Entrainment in the Red Sea Outflow Plume. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 37(4), 819-836. View entire paper.

Ozgokmen, T. M., W. Johns, H. Peters, and S. Matt, 2003. Turbulent mixing in the Red Sea outflow plume from a high-resolution nonhydrostatic model. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 33(8), 1846-1869. View Entire Paper.