Eesaa Harris

PhD Students

Current

Social Profile:

Biography

Eesaa is currently a PhD student in Marine Sciences. His research focuses on the physical and biogeochemical interactions in the Red Sea. More specifically, Eesaa is investigating how sub- and mesoscale features (i.e., eddies, fronts, etc.) can affect the functioning of the ecosystems. To do so, he is using a synergistic approach by using remote sensing and in situ data from autonomous platforms (i.e., gliders) and cruises.

 

Eesaa’s favorite part of being a PhD student is going out on cruises.  He gets to interact with the Red Sea and spend a less structured day out at sea rather than in the labs.  There are more opportunities for improvising and being able to adapt.  Most of all, he can just experience the beauty of the Red Sea. 

Research Interests

Chemical oceanography, marine biogeochemistry, western Indian Ocean, ocean productivity, oligotrophic regions, tropical oceans

Education

University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

M.Sc. Oceanography (under review)

 

University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

BSc. Honours (Oceanography), GPA: 79%

First class

 

University of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

BSc. Ocean and Atmosphere Sciences, Environmental and Geographical Sciences (in progress; aim to graduate end of 2018), GPA: first year: 73.57%, second year: 78.33%, third year: 77.25%

Professional Profile

KAUST Visiting Students Research Program, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia (November 2021-March 2022)

Oceanography undergraduate course Head Tutor, Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town (February 2020-June 2021)

Laboratory assistant, Department of Oceanography, University of Cape Town (October 2017-December 2018)

Turtle care assistant, Two Oceans Aquarium (May 2015)

 

Awards

Tertiary level

UCT VC Research Scholarship recipient (2020-2021)

Dean’s Merit List throughout undergraduate study

First undergraduate participant of UCT Department of Oceanography’s SEAmester course aboard the SA Agulhas II research vessel (June 2017)

Research participant in the SCALE Antarctica research mission aboard the SA Agulhas II research vessel (October-November 2019)

 

Secondary level

First place in grade from 2010-2014 (grades 8-12)

Diamond status for the Young Biologist course at the Two Oceans Aquarium

Chairperson of the Islamia College Environmental Club for 2013

Research Interests Keywords

Chemical oceanography marine biogeochemistry ocean productivity oligotrophic regions tropical oceans