March 13, 2015 — The following was released by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth:
UMass Dartmouth School for Marine Science & Technology (SMAST) graduate student Ana Paula Krelling successfully defended her PhD to become the first UMass Dartmouth-University of São Paulo Institute of Oceanography (IOUSP) dual-degree PhD graduate. Ana Paula is co-advised by SMAST Professor Avijit Gangopadhyay and IOUSP Professor IIson da Silveira. Ana’s dissertation characterized the Portiguar Eddy, a major oceanic feature associated with the North Brazil Undercurrent (NBUC).
“We are very proud of Ana’s achievement. It was wonderful to have her advisor, Professor Gangopadhyay, participate in the event in person in São Paulo while many of us watched the event via interactive video conferencing,” said SMAST Dean Steven Lohrenz. “This accomplishment speaks to the impact of collaborative research. The economic and environmental issues related to our oceans goes beyond borders. We are excited to see the future opportunities for our faculty and students this partnership will continue to develop among both institutions.”
SMAST’s second dual-degree program doctoral candidate from Brazil, Jana del Favero, joined the University last semester and is pursuing her doctoral research under the guidance of Professor Jefferson T. Turner.
The dual degree program was initially established through an MOU signed in December 2011 by then UMass Dartmouth Chancellor Jean MacCormack and University of Sao Paulo Rector João Grandino Rodas. UMass President Robert Caret and Governor Deval Patrick joined Chancellor MacCormack and Rector Rodas for signing of the MOU. The purpose of the Agreement was to foster academic cooperation between the USP Institute of Oceanography and UMass Dartmouth by means of the co-supervision of PhD students of both institutions, aiming at the preparation of the PhD thesis/dissertation leading to double diploma/dual degree programs.
Ana Paula earned her bachelor’s degree in Oceanography from the Federal University of Pará, Brazil, and her master’s in Ocean Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Her PhD in Oceanography, with a concentration in Physical Oceanography, was awarded by the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo, where her research focused on the dynamics of ocean currents, melding observations with numerical modeling. Ana Paula’s Brazilian advisor, Professor Ilson da Silveira, in a paper co-authored by Luis Miranda and SMAST Professor Wendell Brown, was the first to describe in detail the NBUC 20 years ago. Ana Paula’s PhD advisor was Professor Avijit Gangopadhyay of SMAST. Ana Paula was supported by the Brazilian National Counsel for Scientific and Technological Development
The focus at SMAST is on interdisciplinary basic-to-applied marine sciences and the development of related innovative technologies. In addition to the scholarly marine science and technology communities, the SMAST mission also emphasizes interaction with regional industry, and government and non-governmental agencies on compelling regional marine-related issues and technological development.
Editor's Note: Photo attached of Professor IIson da Silveira (IOUSP), Ana Paula Krelling, and Professor Avijit Gangopadhyay. Committee member Professor Wendell Brown is on screen at rear.
