Research in my lab focuses on fluid dynamics in the coastal ocean and its effects on transport processes. We use field measurements, computational models, and theoretical analyses to understand fundamental physical processes in these systems. We also work extensively on interdisciplinary problems that have a significant physical component to better understand the effects of water motion on the geochemistry, biology, and ecology of shallow marine systems. 

Much of our research is on coral reef hydrodynamics and our lab leads the Physical Oceanographic component of the  

Current projects include: 1) wave-driven circulation and exchange in coral reef, lagoon, and pass systems; 2) extreme events and their effects on coral reef systems; 3) understanding the effects of rough bottoms such as corals on circulation and scalar mixing; 4) the impact of stratification on vertical mixing in a highly stratified wind-driven estuary; 5) larval transport around a coral reef island; 6) sponge excurrents; and 7) the effects of wave forcing on corallivory. 

School Division

Marine Science & Conservation

Education

  • Ph.D., University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (2002)
  • M.S., Stanford University (1992)
  • B.S., North Carolina State University (1991)

Websites

Recent Grants

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Recent Publications

  • Torres, WI; Holstein, DM; Putnam, HM; Edmunds, PJ; Puritz, JB; Toonen, RJ; Hench, JL
    Theoretical Ecology 18, no. 1 ( ):
  • Torres, WI; Hench, JL
    Journal of Physical Oceanography 54, no. 9 ( ): 2041 - 2056
  • Winslow, EM; Speare, KE; Adam, TC; Burkepile, DE; Hench, JL; Lenihan, HS
    Scientific reports 14, no. 1 ( ): 9006
  • Viehman, TS; Reguero, BG; Lenihan, HS; Rosman, JH; Storlazzi, CD; Goergen, EA; Canals Silander, MF; Groves, SH; Holstein, DM; Bruckner, AW; Carrick, JV; Haus, BK; Royster, JB; Duvall, MS; Torres, WI; Hench, JL
    Ecosphere 14, no. 5 ( ):
  • Yu, X; Rosman, JH; Hench, JL
    Journal of Fluid Mechanics 931, ( ):