People

The primary objective of Prof. Mitarai’s research is to understand the role of ocean turbulence in regulating biological processes and their consequences for marine ecosystems. These studies include investigations of larval dispersal via oceanic eddies and the role of dispersal in structuring marine populations, understanding biological responses of marine species to turbulent flows and their integrated effects on biogeochemical cycling, and atmosphere-ocean interactions in tropical cyclones and their consequences in dynamics of marine ecosystems. Prof. Mitarai aims to contribute to a new interdisciplinary field in ocean sciences.

Heng specializes in experimental hydrodynamics with a focus in turbulent boundary layer flows over a rough or porous bed and their impact on sediment transport. She is currently working on flow-body interaction in a flume system under unidirectional or oscillatory flows mainly by using Particle Image Velocimetry.

Tunggul is an Ocean Engineer and Experimentalist in Fluid Mechanics, focusing on research areas including Air-Sea Interaction (ASI), Ocean Wave Physics, and Wave Turbulence. He has extensive experience utilizing experimental techniques and camera-based imaging technologies, including Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) and Laser Surface Detection methods, Stereoscopic Imaging, and 3D Surface Reconstruction. Tunggul is particularly interested in Ocean-Atmosphere Interaction, which is essential in the global climate and to improve the climate prediction model, especially during extreme conditions such as Typhoons/Tropical cyclones.

Kota’s research interest is originally in animal behavior. In the interdisciplinary environment of our unit, Kota studies how marine animals respond to flow conditions. Current project focuses on investigating effects of flow speed and turbulent fluctuation on planktivorous reef fish including unique garden eels. He is running website that inform interesting fact about garden eels. (All about garden eels)

Lily is a current rotation student in the MBU with a background in general physics and an interest in oceanography. Through ocean numerical modeling and fieldwork, she will study the dynamics of rip currents for local Okinawan shores. This research can hopefully offer some insight into both material transport, for example for coral larvae, but also for safety around more dangerous areas of the Okinawan coast.

My background is in environmental engineering with a focus on environmental fluid mechanics. I have recently completed my masters and am here to pursue my interest in research while working with typhoon data. I am originally from Long Beach, CA and I love to run and I love the ocean!

Sophie is a current student at the University of Aveiro, Portugal where she's completing a MSc. in Applied Marine Biology. She has a background in shallow coral reef research and restoration and is now curious to learn about their deeper counterparts, namely cold-water corals. During her time in the Mitarai Unit, she aims to combine the current - unfortunately scarce - knowledge on cold-water coral biology with biophysical modelling to gain a better understanding on the potential dispersal pathways and connectivity of these unique ecosystems.

Jakob did his Master’s degree in Marine Environmental Sciences, focusing largely on numerical modeling approaches. Having previously worked on seed transport in ocean currents, he wants to extend his knowledge by looking at long-distance hydrochorous dispersal of mangrove seeds. Additionally, he will be working on modeling the dispersal of cold-water coral larvae at a regional scale.

Technicians support the MBU’s research activities by providing technical assistance, including field support, maintenance of lab/field equipment, and management of past data/samples and products.

Technicians support the MBU’s research activities by providing technical assistance, including field support, maintenance of lab/field equipment, and management of past data/samples and products.

Tomoko handles procurement (research equipment, consumables, outsourcing), travel and meeting arrangements (students, postdocs, professors, visitors), and record keeping (budget, equipment, training, health checkups, publications). She is also serving as a contact point (recruitment, fieldwork, etc.).