Dr Tasha Lucas
Postdoctoral Research Officer
Affiliations
Contact info
Dr Natasha Lucas
Rm 207 Craig Mair Building, / Ystafell 207 Craig Mair Adeilad,
School of Ocean Sciences, / Ysgol Gwyddorau Eigion,
Bangor University, / Prifysgol Bangor,
Askew St, / Ffordd Y Coleg
Menai Bridge, / Porthaethwy,
Anglesey, / Ynys Mon,
LL59 5AB, UK
+44 (0) 1248 388 065
Overview
Researcher: 2017 - present, Bangor Uni & Nortek-AS
Developing techniques to aid the design and operation of Tidal Energy Convertors by characterisation of key aspects of turbulence, i.e. the scales, structure/coherency and stress, which are most likely to compromise the structural integrity of the tidal energy infrastructure.
Researcher: 2016, Norwegian Young Sea Ice Project, Norwegian Polar Institute
The study of under ice turbulence and its role in diapycnal mixing modulating the heat budget of the Arctic Ocean. https://eos.org/project-updates/arctic-research-on-thin-ice-consequences-of-arctic-sea-ice-loss.
Researcher, 2012-2016, Bangor Uni
Working on the Ocean Surface Mixing, Ocean Sub-mesoscale Interaction Study focusing on the role of Langmuir circulation and inertial shear spikes in driving mixing within and below the surface mixed layer of the ocean.
Curriculum designer, 2008-2012
I was project lead to design and develop a Repackaged Degree. Within this programme I developed problem based learning (PBL) modules unified with industrial seminars, with labs linked to lectures integrating social media and Web 2.0 technologies.
Researcher, 2001-2008
Working in the corporate sector my role was to develop a stand-off rugidised Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) system with a range capability in excess of 100m for remote, non-contact material detection/characterisation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials for security and protection, as part of a project for Applied Photonics Limited and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.
Previous to this I was reading for my PhD. For this work I developed a LIBS system for the analysis of geological samples in simulated extra-terrestrial environments. The analysis covered pressures of 160x10^3 Pa to 0.4x10^-3 Pa and ambient gaseous mixtures of air, nitrogen and methane. Particular attention was paid to temporal and power considerations under such regimes.
Research
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Physical Oceanographer
Company Name Bangor University & Nortek
Dates Employed Apr 2017 – Present
Location School of Ocean Sciences - Menai Bridge
The aim of this project is to develop techniques to aid the design and operation of Tidal Energy Convertors (TECs) by characterisation of key aspects of turbulence, i.e. the scales, structure/coherency and stress, which are most likely to compromise the structural integrity of the tidal energy infrastructure.
Oceanographers are able to exploit local assumptions of stationary and homogeneity to measure the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (ε) by applying the recently developed structure function approach to velocity profiles measured using off-the-shelf acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) (Lucas et al., 2014; Wiles et al., 2006). These flows have primarily been applicable to quantification of fluxes across critical interfaces within marine environments, and thus of considerably lower Reynolds numbers than those found in the tidal race environments attractive to TEC.
Recent measurements demonstrate that whilst ε is strongly linked to tidal current speed, in a confined channel it is highly variable, fluctuating by over an order of magnitude for a given flow speed. Importantly, the widely used acoustic techniques reported above fail to resolve this variability in ε, which results from the formation of coherent structures.
The occurrence of coherent structures is linked the formation of vortices downstream of rough seabed topography leading to the ejection of turbulence from the turbulent boundary layer close to the sea bed. The surface manifestation of sub-surface coherent structures, “boils”, are commonly observed in regions of strong flow such as rivers and strong tidal flows, the intensity of which is observed to increase with the roughness of the sea bed. This complication puts these processes beyond simple parameterisation, and hence inclusion in current standard tidal models, and so implying the need for site specific assessment of the potential impact of coherent structures on in-stream tidal energy generation infrastructure.Physical Oceanographer
Company Name Norsk Polarinstitutt
Dates Employed Apr 2016 – Dec 2016
Location Tromso / Bangor
NORWEGIAN YOUNG SEA ICE PROJECT (N-ICE2015)
The study of under ice turbulence and its role in diapycnal mixing modulating the heat budget of the Arctic Ocean. Using novel instrumentation and techniques we are able to study turbulence directly under ice floes. https://eos.org/project-updates/arctic-research-on-thin-ice-consequences-of-arctic-sea-ice-lossPhysical Oceanographer
Company Name School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University
Dates Employed Apr 2012 – Jan 2016
Location Menai Bridge
Natasha works as a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant for the OSMOSIS[i] project; working in partnership with other institutions to develop new parameterisations of turbulent processes that drive the deepening and shoaling of the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL).
Natasha’s work concentrates on analysis of mooring-, ship- and glider-based measurements of small and fine-scale processes to investigate the dynamics of turbulent mixing in the NE Atlantic Ocean, focusing on how the OSBL fluxes heat and momentum, including the processes of Langmuir circulation and inertial shear spikes, and how these processes drive mixing within and below the OSBL governing surface temperatures and mixed layer depths.
Her work also includes analysis of atmospheric, hydrographic, velocity and microstructure measurements in the small-fetch environment of the Clyde Sea. Concurrent to this project she has been involved in a parallel turbulence project at Lake Windermere, assisted in the supervision of an MSc and PhD student, taught for the MSc in Physical Oceanography and undertaken participation in teaching cruises on the RV Prince Madog. She has written and collaborated to produce papers on the quantitative results of her work and presented results both nationally and internationally.
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[i] Ocean Surface Mixing and Submesoscale Interaction Study
Contact Info
Dr Natasha Lucas
Rm 207 Craig Mair Building, / Ystafell 207 Craig Mair Adeilad,
School of Ocean Sciences, / Ysgol Gwyddorau Eigion,
Bangor University, / Prifysgol Bangor,
Askew St, / Ffordd Y Coleg
Menai Bridge, / Porthaethwy,
Anglesey, / Ynys Mon,
LL59 5AB, UK
+44 (0) 1248 388 065
Research Activity at Previous HEIs
Learning Technologies and Digital Skills Lecturer
Company Name University of Salford
Dates Employed Oct 2009 – Jun 2012
I worked in the Academic Support Unit at The University of Salford, working with all staff and students to teach and implement Learning Technologies and Digital Skills incorporating; ICT, Web 2.0, web design, programming, learning technologies, information literacy and business systems.
Curriculum Design
Company Name Institute of Physics, Univeristy of Salford, HEFCE
Dates Employed Nov 2008 – Oct 2009
I was project lead to design and develop a Repackaged Degree for the University of Salford, as part of the Stimulating Physics Project funded by the Institute of Physics and the Higher Education Funding Council for England. Within this programme I developed problem based learning (PBL) modules to be integrated with industrial seminars, with labs linked to lectures integrating social media and Web 2.0 technologies.
Liaison Officer
Company Name THE UK CONSORTIUM OF PHOTONICS AND OPTICS, (UKCPO)
Dates Employed Jun 2005 – Apr 2008
Freelance part time work:
PHP & MySQL Database Design and Management and Website Administrator
Freelance IT Trainer
Company Name Distrupol, Astra Zeneca, Nestlé UK and Aon Consulting. Among others..
Dates Employed 1996 – 2008
FREELANCE IT TRAINER: Delivering bespoke training, floor-walking, standard courses and manual writing on various external contracts such as; Distrupol, Astra Zeneca, Nestlé UK and Aon Consulting
Research and Laser/LIBS specialist
Company Name Applied Photonics Ltd
Dates Employed Jun 2007 – Nov 2007
Scientist working to develop a stand-off rugidised LIBS system with a range capability in excess of 100m for remote, non-contact material detection & characterisation of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive materials for security and protection, in collaboration with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.
Outdoor Education
Company Name FREELANCE OUTDOOR EDUCATION COACH
Dates Employed Jul 2006 – Apr 2007
Freelance, part time:
Kayaking, Climbing, Problem Solving and Archery
Presenter
Company Name NATEC ROCKET SCIENCE ROADSHOW
Dates Employed Apr 2004 – Feb 2005
Freelance, part time:
Presenter of Rocket Science Roadshows to many schools across the UK. In collaboration with Starchaser Industries Ltd and The University of Salford.
Researcher
Company Name BAE Systems
Dates Employed 1999 – 2000
RESEARCH SCIENTIST; BAE Systems, ATC Sowerby. 1 year contract
Scientist working in the Functional Materials group on a project based on the microwave behaviour of electromagnetic materials.
Other
Education
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The University of Salford
Degree Name Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (FHEA)
Field Of Study Education
Dates attended or expected graduation 2011 – 2012
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The University of Salford
Degree Name PhD
Field Of Study Laser ablation, spectroscopy, space technology
Dates attended or expected graduation 2001 – 2007
Activities and Societies: SUMC, SUCK
PhD title:
The application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to the analysis of geological samples in simulated extra-terrestrial atmospheric environments
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The University of Salford
Degree Name BSc
Field Of Study Physics with Space Technology
Grade 1st Class Honours
Dates attended or expected graduation 1997 – 2001
Activities and Societies: SUMC, SUCK, Student Rep.
Volunteer Experience
Volunteer
Company Name DASH, AVIT, among others..
Dates volunteered 1996 – 2012
Volunteer duration 16 yrs
Volunteer experience:
February 2006 – April 2012, Adventure Volunteers Initiative Team (AVIT).
Duke of Edinburgh Volunteer for Deans Open Award Centre, including IT training and setup of a networked PC Suite.
February 2002 – December 2007, Salford University Canoe and Kayak (SUCK)
Level 4 Inland Kayak Coach, providing free white water coaching for the club both in the UK and Europe. Trip Secretary for the years 2002 - 2005.
April 1996 – June 1997, Drugs Advice and Support in Hulme (DASH)
Needle Exchange worker & supervisor of D.A.S.H. at the women’s evening.
March 1996 – June 1996, The Princes Trust Volunteers
Team building, Community project, Individual voluntary placement, Group project
Awards and Accreditations:
Full University Colours
8 Hour Aquatic First Aid
HeartStart Trainer
MIDAS Certificate
Duke of Edinburgh Platinum Award
BCU Inland Kayak Coach, Level 4
GNAS, Archery Leader
SPA Trained
Introduction to Counselling
Acupuncture (short course)
Research outputs (7)
- Published
Turbulence and Coherent Structure Characterisation in a Tidally Energetic Channel
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
The contribution of surface and submesoscale processes to turbulence in the open ocean surface boundary layer
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
- Published
Evolution of Oceanic Near Surface Stratification in Response to an Autumn Storm
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review