Midshipman Independent Research Projects

2024

• Aragon, J., ICESat-2 Dynamic Ocean Topography with SIZRS Derived Dynamic Heights. CAPT Gallaher
• Bobrek, E., Deep Learning Model of Arctic Sea Ice Extent and Thickness. Prof. Muller
• Casey, G., Ice-ocean Boundary Layer Simulations Under Thinning Sea Ice using the Local Turbulence Closure (LTC) Model. CAPT Gallaher
• Engelhard, R., Climate Change Impacts Around Pituffik Space Base, Greenland: Integration of In Situ Data and a CMIP6 Modeling Approach. Prof. Henderson
• Esqueda, E., Analysis of Terrestrial Nutrient Flux in a Paleoestuarine Sequence During the End Devonian Mass Extinction. CDR Smart
• Guidera, J., Response of Simulated Supercells to the Evolving Near-Storm Environment around the 1 September 2021 Annapolis Tornado. Prof. Loeffler
• Hall, S., Non-Tidal Residual Current and Water Level Response to Storm Events in a Micro-Tidal Estuary. Prof. Smith, Prof. Montoya
• Hollowell, E., Deep learning Model of Future Speed of Sound Profiles in the South China Sea. Prof. Muller
• Milligan, B.A., Paleoclimatological Correlations From Sediment Proxies During Glaciation Associated with the End Devonian Mass Extinction. CDR Smart
• Schabacker, W., Sidescan Sonar Imaging of Underwater Targets with Different Geometries and Reflectivity. Prof. Smith, Mr. Hickman
• Schlemmer, R. Estimates of Gridded Sea Ice Thickness using Remote Sensing Data. CAPT Gallaher
• Seright, C., Seasonal Thaw Layer Responses to Decadal Warming and Increased Precipitation on the Alaskan North Slope. CAPT Gallaher
• Smith, M., Long Term Predictions of pH in the South China Sea. Prof. Muller
• Wheeler, C., Quantifying Spatial Heterogeneity in the Optical Properties of Surface Waters in a Semi-Enclosed Estuarine Basin. Prof. Smith, Mr. Hickman

2023

• Blank, S., Summertime Particulate Fluxes in the Sagavanirktok River on the North Slope of Alaska. Prof. Smith, CAPT Gallaher
• Carson, E., Comparison of Soundscapes on Oyster Reefs with Contrasting Exposure to Anthropogenic influence. Prof. Steppe
• Hirth, L., Response of Arctic River Constituent Fluxes to Summer Season Episodic Precipitation Events. CAPT Gallaher, Prof. Smith
• Jones, M. & Volinsky, J., Evaluating Greenland Blocking and Vapor Transport Representation in the CMIP6 Model Suite. Prof. Henderson
• Pearson, T., Comparing ALOS and COPDEM in Yellowstone National Park to Determine Patterns in Mountainous Terrain. Prof. Guth
• Rogers, M., Rare Earth Element Chemistry in Surface Waters of Rivers and Streams on the North Slope of Alaska. Prof. Smith, CAPT Gallaher
• Schlifstein, E., Spectral Analysis of Remotely Sensed pH changes in the South China Sea. Prof. Muller
• Toll, G., Analyzing Dune Migration through Colorado Great Sand Dunes National Park (2017-2022). Prof. Guth
• Wickramathilaka, G. Spectral Analysis of Sea Level Heights in the Caribbean Sea. Prof. Muller
• Ziegenfus, T., Developing a Convolutional Neural Network Model of Sea Ice coverage in the Arctic Ocean. Prof. Muller

2022

• Chatwell, J., A Testing Unit for the Optimization of Chlorination to Control Biofouling in Shipboard Systems. Prof. Smith, Mr. Hickman
• Colley, J., Understanding the Impact of Artificial Islands on Heat Flux in the South China Sea. Prof. Muller
• Foxen, B. Thaw Season Constituent Fluxes Through Arctic Rivers to Alaskan North Slope Coastal Waters. Prof. Smith, CDR Gallaher
• Gilbert, E., The State and Future of Mixed Layer Temperature and Salinity in the South China Sea. Prof. Muller, Instr. Davies
• Hilliard, B., Characterization of the Summertime Soundscape of a Pristine Oyster Reef in the Tred Avon River (Maryland, USA). Prof. Steppe
• Honing, K., Remote Sensing Analysis of Kilauea. Prof. Guth
• LaMendola, M., Optical Tracking of a Chemical Plume in a Shallow Water Estuarine System Using a Custom ASV. Prof. Smith, Mr. Hickman
• Mitchell, E., Sea-Ice Extent in the Arctic: A Neural Network Approach. Prof. Muller
• Schuerch, A., A Regression Model to Predict Total Suspended Solid Concentrations in the Severn River, MD. Prof. Smith, Instr. Davies
• Shen, S., Does Intraseasonal Meteorological Variability Modulate Water-Levels along the U.S. East Coast? Prof. Henderson, Instr. Davies
• Twohig, E., Humanitarian Assistance through Remote Sensing for Cyclone Gati in Somalia. Prof. Guth
• Vianco, S., Connecting Antarctic max-Temperature Anomalies and the Madden Julian Oscillation. Prof. Henderson, LT Lafleur

2021

• Cofer, H., Seasonal Variability in Material Fluxes Through Rivers and Streams on the North Slope of Alaska. Prof. Smith
• Hess, M., Spatial Distribution of Microplastics and Synthetic Particulates in the Severn River and Annapolis Harbor.  Prof. Smith, Instr. Tracy
• Long, K., Mass Fluxes through Small River Systems on the Alaskan North Slope in Response to Spatial and Temporal Thermodynamic Variations.  CDR Gallaher, Prof. Smith
• Santella, G., Early Melt Season Variability Of Fast Ice Degradation Due To Small Arctic Riverine Heat Fluxes.  CDR Gallaher
• Spedero, C., Subseasonal Variability of Surface Ocean Currents in the Bay of Bengal.  Prof. Barrett, Instr. Davies, Prof. Smith
• Taylor, A., Seasonal Change in Microplastics in Severn River Oysters.  Prof. Steppe

2020

• An, B., Preliminary Characterization of Springtime Soundscapes on a Severn River Oyster Reef.  Prof. Steppe
• Bess, A., Investigating Variability of Antarctic Sea Ice on Subseasonal-to-Seasonal Time Scales.  Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson
• Cartwright, N., Extreme blocking in the North Atlantic Arctic in future climates.  Prof. Henderson, Prof. Barrett
• Doyle, E., The USNA Polar Science & Technology Program 2019 Alaska North Slope Material Flux Study: Spring-To-Late Summer Variability in Iron and Carbon Fluxes Through Small Rivers.  Prof. Smith
• Evans, N., Preliminary result of heat, turbulence, and sediment fluxes through small rivers and streams from the U.S. Naval Academy Polar Science & Technology Program Alaska North Slope Material Flux Study. CDR Gallaher
• Fagan, W., Tracking rapid environmental chance with lidar and Planet imagery.  Prof. Guth
• Geoffory, T., Using high-resolution ICESat-2 point clouds to evaluate 1-3 arc second global digital elevation models.  Prof. Guth
• Jackson, C., Examining the Madden-Julian Oscillation in Climate Models.  Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson
• Malick, A., Microplastics in Digestive Systems of Winter Flesh Assemblages in the Sever River.  Prof. Steppe
• McClelland, M., System for Hazard Assessment of Release Chemicals (SHARC) Model Validation and Verification Studies: Improvement of Model Prediction for Chemical Releases in Dynamic Estuarine Systems.  Prof. Smith
• Sheehy, T.R., Validation of ICESAT-2 ocean elevation with hydrographic measurements from SIZRS flights.  CDR Gallaher

2019

• Barnes, T., Oregon Coast Risk Assessment Modeling for M9 Cascadia Event Inundation.  Prof. Guth
• Blackburn, J., Assessing Oysters (Crassostrea Virginica) Survival and Health in College Creek (Maryland, USA).  Prof. Steppe
• Buinaskas, M., Mapping debris fields of lost US ships from the 1994 Battle of Leyte Gulf.  Prof. Guth
• Caniban, J.P., The US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (PHNSY) Chlorination/D chlorination System Project Evaluation of Chemical Agents.  Prof. Smith
• Chandler, C., The fate of the upper ocean heat storage under late summer winds in the Arctic.  CDR Gallaher
• Davis, G., Local-scale Water Level Differences and Meteorological Divers in Annapolis, MD.  Instr. Davies, Prof. Smith
• Henry, M and McDonnell, E., Quantifying the Impact of Atmospheric Blocking on the Mean State of the North Atlantic Sector of the Arctic.  Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson
• Martin, K., Intraseasonal variability of the Gulf Stream current.  Prof. Barrett, Instr. Davies
• Paschall, R., Measuring Water-Quality of the Lower Severn River Using an Autonomous Surface Kayak.  Prof. Smith
• Swanson, T., GIS analysis of the battle of Samar, October 1994.  Prof. Guth
• Wan, L., Annapolis hurricane history: a study of the sensitivity to storm intensity and approach vector.  Instr. Davies, Prof. Barrett
• Wegner, M., Characterization of Mesozooplankton Species Assemblages in the Severn River, Annapolis, MD USA.  Prof. Steppe

2018

• Abunike, T., Development of algorithms for the detection and identification fo bottom-moored objects from sidescan sonar imagery.  Prof. Smith
• Aguilar, T., Variability of precipitable water vapor in the Atacama Desert, Chile.  Prof. Barrett
• Anies, E., Baseline analysis of oils, CDOM, and optical brighteners in shallow estuarine environments: potential tools for evaluating restoration effectiveness.  Prof. Muller
• Brandon, N., Reconstruction of a long-term storm frequency index at the site of the historic World War 1 shipwreck of the USS San Diego (ACR-6).  Prof. Smith
• Bruns, B., Simulating natural rainbows: effects of raindrop size, shape, and background.  Prof. Lee
• Cecchini, E., Estimates of upper ocean heat storage from the Oceans Melting Greenland Project.  CDR Gallaher
• Densmore, C., Exploring the propagation of MJO through the Maritime Continent. Prof. Barrett, CAPT Sanabia
• Ma, T., The Coastal Kayak Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) Version 2.0.  Prof. Smith
• Pahissa, M., Atmospheric glories: cloud optics meets microphysics.  Prof. Lee
• Winn, A., Cycling of Physical Parameters in the Severn River.  Prof. Steppe
• Wise, K., Effects of surface winds in air-sea interactions and oceanic temperature response in Hurricane Irma.  CAPT Sanabia

2017

• Byers, C., Exploring the use of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) Unmanned Quadcopters to Identify and Characterize Ice Surface Features.  Prof. Smith
• Densmore, C., Observational analyses of Madden-Julian Oscillation propagation through the Maritime Continent.  Prof. Barrett, CAPT Sanabia
• Kennedy, B., Depth in the Great Barrier Reef: the comparison of LANDSAT 8 images and bathymetric data.  Prof. Guth
• Laboy, B., Mapping of Coastal Reef Systems Using an Autonomous Surface Kayak.  Prof. Smith
• Leonard, C., The record-breaking weather of March 2016: synoptic analysis and characteristics.  Prof. Barrett
• Mollner, D., Monte Carlo simulations of clear twilights in aerosol & molecular atmospheres.  Prof. Lee
• Renfro-Pihut, T., Validation, calibration, and evaluation of a Severn River Delft3D-FLOW model.  CDR Swick
• Rose, J., Intraseasonal variability of the ocean: impacts of the Madden-Julian Oscillation.  Prof. Barrett, Instr. Davies
• Shinavski, K., Microplastics in the digestive tracts of Chesapeake Bay fish.  Prof. Steppe
• Snow, P., The use of Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for quantification of velocity fields in Severn River/College Creek, MD.  CDR Swick

2016

• Boyce, G., The search for the USS Indianapolis.  Prof. Guth
• Cheslack, H., Assessing ecosystem services of a restored oyster bar in College Creek post sea-wall renovation. Prof. Steppe
• Darragh, M., Development of Sediment Grain Size Maps from Sidescan Surveys of the Lower Severn River, Maryland.  Prof. Smith
• Eng, A. Seasonal Evolution of a Near-Surface Temperature Maximum (NSTM) in the Marginal Ice Zone (MIZ) of the Beaufort Sea from 2012-2013.  Prof. Smith
• Hayes, H., The effects of contamination on amphipod (Gammarus mucronatus) survival.  Prof. Steppe
• Hoecherl, V., A comparison of chromium concentrations in the sediments of the Severn River and a dredged material containment facility.  Prof. Steppe
• McKenna, J., Creating 3D point clouds of the HMS Greenwich ship model.  Prof. Guth
• Pruden, G., Assessment of gametogenic stage in College Creek oysters; spawning vs. resorption of gametes.  Prof. Steppe
• Sherenco, A., Using GIS to provide spatial analysis of artefacts on board the Swedish warship, Vasa.  Prof. Guth
• Talbot, T., Using the Google Cloud to process NDVI for analyzing water stress in Saudi Arabia and California cropland.  Prof. Guth

2015

• Boudart, E., Movement of catfish Ictalurus furcatus relative to streamflow and salinity in the Patuxent River.  Prof. Steppe
• Brecht, A., Atmospheric efficiencies for severe weather, Honors research project.  Prof. Barrett
• Fuller, M. Optical Characterization of the South River Estuary, MD Through EEMS/PARAFAC Analysis. Prof. Smith
• Leslie, H., The Madden-Julian Oscillation and severe convective storm hazards in the U.S., Independent research project. Prof. Barrett
• Lois, K. Validation and verification of model predictions for I-131 transport in the tidal-fresh Potomac River.  Prof. Smith
• Panek, L. Mineralogy, Bacterial Diversity, and Bioavailable Trace element Loading in the Silt/Clay Fraction of Surficial Soils from Iraq and Kuwait.  Prof. Smith
• Prochilo, A., Lidar analysis of the battle for Guam with applications to the present.  Prof. Guth
• Reynolds, S., Evolution of the upper-level outflow during hurricanes Iselle and Julio (2014) in the Navy Global Environmental Model (NAVGEM) analyses, Independent research project. Presented at the 95th AMS Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Paper 691. 
• South, K., Relationships between snow depth and the Madden-Julian Oscillation using self-organizing maps, Honors research project.  Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson
• Stapleton, J. and A. Borrego, Satellite and aircraft observations of upper-level outflow in Hurricanes Iselle and Julio (2014), Independent (Stapleton) and Honors (Borrego) research project.  Presented at the 95th AMS Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Paper 691.  Prof. Barrett., CAPT Sanabia
• Werling, J.,  Intraseasonal influences on terrestrial snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere, Honors research project.  Presented at the 95th AMS Annual Meeting in Phoenix, Paper S148.  Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson

2014 

• Baguley, L., Mapping water depth in the Chesapeake Bay, Florida Key, and Hawaii: a comparison of bathymetric soundings and Landsat I operational land imager imaging.  Prof. Guth
• Coughlin, J., Self-organizing maps and tropical intraseasonal variability, Honors research project.  Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson
• Henley, B., Hail occurrence: relationship to the intraseasonal oscillation, Honors research project. Presented at the 94th AMS Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Paper S6.  Prof. Barrett
• Hoerner, E., Artefact distribution on the Vasa.  Prof. Guth
• Hughes, N., Atmospheric contaminants in Chile: PM10 and O3, Honors research project.  Prof. Barrett
• Kreyenhagen, E., Intraseasonal influences on terrestrial snow cover in the Northern Hemisphere, Honors research project.  Presented at the 94th AMS Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Paper S87.  Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson
• LaFleur, D. M., A climatology of the Madden-Julian Oscillation, Honors research project. Presented at the 94th AMS Annual Meeting in Atlanta, Paper J4.2 and the 93rd AMS Annual Meeting in Austin, TX, Paper S62. Prof. Barrett, Prof. Henderson
• Suriben, R. Spatial Variations in Late Summer Tundra Methane Flux on the North Slope of Alaska.  Prof. Smith
• Talbot, T.  Image analysis of oyster gametogenesis.  Co-author on presentation of gametogenesis at Coastal Hypoxia Research Program PI Meeting, Edgewater, MD (2014).  Prof. Steppe
• Ziemski, B. Potential Legacy of Heavy Metal Contamination in the Sediments of Former Sewage Holding Ponds at Otter Point Creek, MD.  Prof. Smith

2013

• Baker, B. (App. Phys.) Optical Brighteners as a Wastewater Plume Tracer in Estuarine Systems.  Prof. Smith
• Fine, C., Structural changes and convective processes in tropical cyclones as seen in infrared and water vapor satellite data, Trident Scholar Project.  Prof. Barrett., CAPT Sanabia
• Fletcher, C. A Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics  Lesson Plan for Use in Teaching Water Quality Concepts in China.  Prof. Smith
• Fortner, E.  Settlement of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) and associated benthic fauna in the Severn River.  Prof. Steppe
• Fruin, B., Intra-seasonal variability of surface ozone in Los Angeles and its relationship to the Madden Julian Oscillation, Honors research project. Presented at the 93rd AMS Annual Meeting in Austin, Paper S79.  Prof. Barrett
• Kelly, S. (App. Phys.) Validation and Verifications of Model Predictions for ¹³⁷Cs Fate and Transport in the Tidal Fresh Potomac River.  Prof. Smith
• Moriarty, B., Fusion of hyperspectral imagery and gridded lidar data for urban area classification in Houston, Texas.  Prof. Guth
• Ragsdale, K., Relationship between particulate matter in the central Chilean Valley and the Madden-Julian Oscillation, Honors research project. Presented at the 93rd AMS Annual Meeting in Austin, Paper S82.  Prof. Barrett
• Stamer, S.  Scale Matters: The Need for a Customizable Autonomous Research Platform for Estuarine Research. Prof. Smith

2012

• Cary, C., Validation of Model Predictions for the Dispersion of Reactive Chemical Releases in a Sub-estuary of the Chesapeake Bay.  Prof. Smith
• Davidson, J., Assessing the Plausibility of Hough Transforms for Automated Detection of Biofouling and its Associated Agents.  Prof. Smith
• Ellis, A., Flocculation in the Pearl River Estuary – Particle Size Variations in a Circumneutral pH River System with High Colloidal Iron.  Prof. Smith
• Fisher, J., Influence of Different Organic Matter Loading on Ambient Bacteria in Brackish ‘Challenge’ Water Stored in Small-scale, Simulated Ballast Water Tanks.  Prof. Smith
• Lucas, A., A Wavelet Approach to the Combined Effects of the North Atlantic Oscillation and Arctic Oscillation on Arctic Sea Ice Extent.  Prof. Smith
• Mayer, H., Assessing reproductive condition of oysters (Crassostrea virginica) in the Severn River via image analysis.  Prof. Steppe
• Migut, S., An casualty analysis of the 2011 Joplin tornado, Independent research project.  Prof. Barrett
• Palmer, E., MJO and El Nino impacts on Chilean precipitation, Independent research project.  Prof. Barrett
• Pritchard, S., Meteorological factors affecting intraseasonal variability of surface ozone concentrations in Santiago, Chile by phase of the MJO, Honors research project. Presented at the 92nd AMS Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Paper S38.  Prof. Barrett
• Testino, A., Predicting air quality through the phasing of the Madden-Julian Oscillation in Santiago, Chile, Honors research project. Presented at the 92nd AMS Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Paper S55. 2012 AMS Macelwane Award winner.  Prof. Barrett

2011

• Barlow, C., Investigating wind energy potential in Chile from a synoptic-scale perspective, Honors research project. Presented at the 14th AMS Mountain Meteorology Conference in Lake Tahoe, Paper 1.15. 2011 Rhodes Scholarship winner.  Prof. Barrett
• Fitzmaurice, S., Projecting the Madden-Julian Oscillation onto air quality in Santiago, Chile, Honors research project. Presented at the 2011 National Air Quality Conference in San Diego, Paper P3.  Prof. Barrett
• Fridye, T., Application of Shallow Sediment Geochemical and Geophysical Data to Infer Methane Flux from Methane Hydrate Bearing Strata in Alaminos Canyon, Gulf of Mexico.  Prof. Smith
• Rahall, B., Comparison of grow-out of Crassostrea virginica spat set by traditional and in situ methods.  Poster presented at the 2011 National Shellfisheries Association Meeting, Baltimore, MD (2011).  Prof. Steppe
• Tagan, P., Cultivation of oyster spat-on-shell.  Co-author on poster presented at the 2011 National Shellfisheries Association Meeting, Baltimore, MD (2011).  Co- author on presentation at the International Conference on Shellfish Restoration, Charleston, SC (2010).  Prof. Steppe
• Ziel and Howell.  3D GIS and Spatial Analysis of Artifact Locations on the Gun Decks of Vasa.  Prof. Guth

2010

• Ashmore, D., Precipitation variability in Chile as seen by TRMM, Honors research project.  Prof. Barrett
• Byers. The Battle of Attu Island: Mountain Warfare at Sea Level.  8th International Conference on Military Geosciences, Vienna, Austria (2009).  Prof. Guth
• Hady, K., Performance of a microbial fuel cell deployed in Santee Basin.  Prof. Steppe
• Hearn, R., (USMA '11), Historical GIS: artillery at the Battle of Antietam (Sharpsburg).  Prof. Guth
• Krieger, D., Chilean winter precipitation: an exercise in interpolating sparse data onto a national grid, Honors research project. Presented at the 14th AMS Mountain Meteorology Conference in Lake Tahoe, Paper 1.13.  Prof. Barrett
• Moss, Deriving vegetation height from LIDAR DSMs and DTMs: The problem of negative elevation heights.  Prof. Guth
• Rentz, K., Variation in rocky intertidal algal abundance as a result of biological and environmental factors.  Prof. Steppe
• Ruffin, D., A GIS Analysis of the Meuse-Argonne offensive, SEP-NOV 1918.  Prof. Guth
• Ziel, E., 3D GIS of the Swedish warship VASA.  Prof. Guth

2009

• Devries, S., Advection and diffusion of satellite-tracked drifters within the Severn River (Annapolis, MD, USA); implications for connectivity among local tributaries and Chesapeake bay.  Co-author on presentation at the Chesapeake Community Modeling Program Symposium.  Annapolis, MD (2010).  Prof. Steppe
• Jacks.  Historical GIS of the Normandy Invasion (Operation Overlord). Prof. Guth
• Jordan, L., The relationship between tsunami generation and subduction zone earthquake characteristics.  Prof. Guth
• Moeller, M., Faunal assemblage found on oyster aquaculture trays in the Severn River.  Prof. Steppe
• Sweeney, S., Growth and mortality of the oyster Crassostrea virginica in aquaculture trays; the role of water depth and proximity to a restored oyster bar.  Co-author on Aquacultural Engineering paper (2010).  Prof. Steppe
• Terwey, A., Sub-bottom profile of old channels in the Chesapeake Bay.  Prof. Guth