Jennifer Wells' Brief C.V.

Jennifer Wells
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Department of Engineering and applied Science
Memorial University of Newfoundland
St. John's, NL, Canada * A1B 3X5
(709) 737-8377
Education

M.Sc., Physics, May 2005
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Thesis Title: Experimental Investigations of Non-Rotating and Rotating Two-Dimensional Turbulence.
Performed an experimental study of the zonal band structures that evolve from quasi-two-dimensional flows using a laser Particle Imaging Velocimetry system.
Employed a rotating platform in order to reproduce the effects of the Coriolis force felt by two-dimensionally turbulent flows in the Earth's oceans and atmosphere.

B.Sc. (Hons.), Physics, May 2005
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Thesis Title: Dipole-Wall Interactions in Freely Decaying Q2D Turbulence.
Performed an experimental analysis of dipole-wall interactions in freely decaying quasi-two-dimensional turbulence.
Designed an experimental apparatus which included a laser Particle Imaging Velocimetry system.

Research Experience

Research and Project Oceanographer, Oct 2005 - Present
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Performing laboratory indenter experiments to study the mechanics of ice failure.
Experiments focus on the relationship between fracture and load reduction, the role of flaws on fracture behavior and the contact pressures at the ice indenter interface.
Aided in field trials aimed at studying the keel strength of ice ridges using a flatjack apparatus.

Research Assistant, Aug 2005 - Oct 2005
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Used Matlab to perform preliminary data analysis on ADCP data recovered from the August 2005, Funk Island Bank Cruise.
Prepared the data report Analysis of Physical Oceanographic Data from Funk Island Bank, August 2005.

Research Assistant, Feb 2005 - July 2005
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Performed small-scale laboratory experiments to explore wakes behind selp-propelled bodies.
Conducted experiments to test the Sudden Infill Scenario of the Black Sea.
Designed an experimental apparatus that reproduces the dynamic conditions found in the Black Sea under laboratory conditions.

NSERC Summer Research Grant, May-Aug 2002
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Performed an experimental study of turbulent vortex flows in a layered fluid.
Examined the time evolutions of the integral quantities of these flows using the computer software Matlab.

Research Assistant, Sept-Apr 01-02
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Aided in the development of an experimental procedure where electromagnetic forcing was used to generate quasi-two-dimensional turbulent flows.
Utilized the Particle Imaging Velocimetry method for the analysis of these flows.

Research Assistant, May-Aug 2001
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Performed miscellaneous laboratory duties aiding in the study of vortex structures.
Assisted in the development of a Particle Imaging Velocimetry method.

Teaching Experience

Teaching Assistant, Jan-Apr 2004, Sept-Dec 2004
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Demonstrated laboratory experiments.
Assisted students in all aspects of the experimental process including: theory; data acquisition; data analysis; report writing.
Presented introductory talks to students discussing the scientific importance and basic procedural elements of the experiment being performed.
Held informal office hours to encourage students to improve abilities.
Graded laboratory journals for selected slots of Physics 2055 and Physics 2053.

Teaching Assistant, May-Aug 2003
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Created, through teamwork, marking guidelines for second-year laboratory reports.
Guidelines are now the recommended grading procedure for Graduate Teaching Assistants in the Physics department at Memorial University of Newfoundland and are available here.

Teaching Assistant, Jan-Apr 2003, Sept-Dec 2003
Memorial University of Newfoundland

Graded laboratory journals for selected slots of Physics 2053, 2054, 2055 and 2056.
Provided constructive feedback to the students.

Research Assistant, June-Aug 1998
Sir Wilfred Grenfell College

Preformed miscellaneous laboratory duties including a review of various physics 1054 laboratory experiments.
Aided in a research project involving the creation of an undergraduate level astronomy experiment involving the determination of the physical properties of asteroids based on light curves.

Publications and Presentations

Mackey, T., Wells, J., Jordaan, I., and Derradji-Aouat, A. 2007. Experiments on the fracture of polycrystalline ice. Proceedings of the 19th International Conference on Port and Ocean Engineering Under Arctic Conditions (POAC 2007), Dalian, China, Vol 1, p. 339-349. (Presenter)

Wells, J., Jordaan, I., Derradji-Aouat, A., and Budgen, A. 2007. Laboratory investigation of the fracture behavior of polycrystalline ice with embedded monocrystals – Phase I, NRC technical report, January 2007.

Jordaan, I. and Wells, J. "Ice Fracture Mechanics", Poster presentation of experiments performed on ice fracture mechanics.

Wells, J. deYoung, B. and Foley, J., "Analysis of Physical Oceanographic Data from Funk Island Bank, August 2005", Physics and Physical Oceanography Data Report 2005-2, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland (2005).

Afanasyev, Y. D. and Wells, J., "Anisotropic turbulence on the polar beta-plane," Photo displayed in the fluid dynamics gallery at efluids.com (2005).

Afanasyev, Y. D. and Wells, J., "Quasi-two-dimensional turbulence on the polar beta-plane: laboratory experiments", Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dynamics, 99 (1), 1-17 (2005).

Wells, J. and Afanasyev, Y. D., "Decaying quasi-two-dimensional turbulence in a rectangular container: laboratory experiments", Geophys. Astrophys. Fluid Dynamics, 98 (1), 1-20 (2004).

Wells, J. "Dipole-Wall Interactions in Freely Decaying Q2D Turbulence", Seminar based on thesis work, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, December 2002.

Wells, J. "Laboratory Experiments on Beta-Plane Turbulence", Seminar based on thesis work, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, January 2005.

Wells, J. "Interaction of Decaying Q2D Turbulence with Rigid Boundaries", Poster presentation at the Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference 2003, Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Abu-Kharma, M., Bromberek, M., Ferdous, S., Skanes, I. and Wells, J. "Marking Guidelines for Second-Year Laboratory Reports", Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Wells, J. "Double Diffusion", Class lecture presented to students in Physics 6323, Department of Physics and Physical Oceanography, Memorial University of Newfoundland, October 2004. Reproduced in written form in class lecture notes which will be used as a reference text for this course in the future.

Awards

Fellow of the School of Graduate Studies, Memorial University of Newfoundland (2004).
Completed Memorial University of Newfoundland's Graduate Research Integrity Program (2004).
Honorable Mention for Poster Presentation at the Canadian Undergraduate Physics Conference (2002).
NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Award (2002).
Sir Wilfred Grenfell College Principal's List (1998).
Sisters of Mercy Anniversary Scholarship (1997-98).

References

Available Upon Request