I am an Assistant Research Scientist at the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies at Florida State University, working with Prof. Eric Chassignet. I have two areas of research: (1) Lagrangian coherence of mesoscale eddies and frontal interactions with ocean currents, and (2) modeling internal tides.
I obtained a Ph.D. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences (RSMAS), University of Miami, under Prof. Nick Shay. My Ph.D. research focused on the dynamics of the Loop Current and its frontal eddies in the Gulf of Mexico using theory, observations (mooring array, floats, airborne expandables, and drifters), altimetry, and numerical models.
My postdoctoral research at FSU-COAPS with Prof. Eric Chassignet focused primarily on understanding the influence of vertical resolution on internal tide energetics and vertical shear and subsequent impacts on sound speed variability and underwater acoustic propagation using idealized simulations. Ongoing research includes exploring the interaction between internal tides and mesoscale eddies.
Aboard the R/V Walton Smith during the ten days Gulf of Mexico research expedition deploying Autonomous Profiling Explorer (APEX) float and sampling the water-column using a CTD rosette.
Gulf of Mexico research expedition aboard the R/V Walton Smith.
Post-hurricane Nate ocean survey in the Gulf of Mexico on the NOAA WP-3D Orion “Hurricane Hunter” aircraft for the deployment of ocean xBT, xCTD, and xCP probes. From left to right: Luna Hiron, Dr. Johna Rudzin, and Dr. Benjamin Jaimes de la Cruz.
Dr. Josh Wadler and Luna Hiron in front of the NOAA WP-3D Orion "Hurricane Hunter" aircraft, in Lakeland, FL.