Geórgenes Cavalcante

Research Scientist Affiliation: NYU Abu Dhabi
Education: BA in Meteorology - Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil; MSc in Meteorology - Federal University of Alagoas, Brazil; PhD in Geosciences/Physical Oceanography - Fluminense Federal University, Brazil / Texas A&M University

Research Websites: Mubadala Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental ScienceS (ACCESS)

Research Areas: Physical oceanography


Geórgenes Cavalcante is a Research Scientist at the Mubadala-Arabian Center for Climate and Environmental Sciences (ACCESS) at New York University Abu Dhabi. He received his PhD in Geosciences with a specialization in Physical Oceanography from Fluminense Federal University, Brazil, in 2007, including an 18-month internship at the Department of Physical Oceanography at Texas A&M University. Cavalcante’s scholarly contributions focus on physical oceanography, with significant work on understanding hydrodynamic processes and their impact on marine and coastal ecosystems, particularly in the Arabian Gulf.

Cavalcante has led several notable research projects, including studies on the impacts of desalination plants on coastal waters, climate change effects on coastal lagoon stability, and the hydrodynamic variability of Sharjah’s coral reefs. His recent work, such as the Gulf Ocean Forecast System (GOFS) and lagoon dynamics vulnerability assessments, underscores his commitment to addressing pressing environmental challenges. His research has been published in prestigious journals, with key publications including studies on marine environments under extreme stress, hydrodynamic modeling, and water exchange across the Strait of Hormuz.

Research Summary

Cavalcante's research focuses particularly on advancing the understanding of hydrodynamics in the Persian/Arabian Gulf and how these dynamics interact with broader ecological and environmental processes. This includes examining the impact of hydrodynamic forces on marine biogeochemical cycles and how these forces influence the distribution and health of marine biota, such as coral reefs.

Establish the magnitude and variability of tidal and oceanographic processes, wind effects, and far-field forcing in the coastal regions within the Arabian/Persian Gulf through long-term in situ oceanographic and meteorological data.