Simulating ocean dynamics, one MITgcm run at a time
I'm a Physical Oceanographer and numerical modeller based in Mexico City, currently completing my M.Sc. in Earth Sciences at UNAM. My research focuses on internal wave and seiche dynamics using idealized numerical experiments in MITgcm. I also work on operational ocean forecasting for the Gulf of Mexico with HYCOM.
I care about reproducible science, clean computational workflows, and communicating complex ocean processes through data and storytelling.
- 🔭 Current research: Internal waves & seiche dynamics (M.Sc. thesis, UNAM)
- ⚙️ Current project: HYCOM-IOA operational forecast system for the Gulf of Mexico
- 🎤 Recently presented at: European Geosciences Union (EGU) 2025
- 🌍 Languages: Spanish (native) · English (B2/IELTS 6.5)
- 📍 Based in: Mexico City, Mexico
Ocean & Geophysical Modelling
Programming & Computing
Data & Visualization
Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate Change, UNAM — 2023–Present
Designing and running idealized numerical experiments in MITgcm to investigate internal-wave generation and seiche dynamics in enclosed basins. Work includes boundary-condition sensitivity analysis, terabyte-scale NetCDF postprocessing in Python, and reproducible workflow design for geophysical fluid dynamics research.
Advisor: 'Dr. Karina Ramos Musalem'
📌 Repos: BayIW_Rectan · BayIW_Rectan_2layer · -IWBayMITgcm-postprocessing
UNAM / CENAPRED collaborative project — 2025–Present
Contributing to the implementation and automation of the HYCOM-IOA operational forecast system for the Gulf of Mexico. Responsibilities include daily NetCDF acquisition pipelines, conversion to HYCOM native binary format, hybrid vertical-coordinate preparation, nesting generation, and restart-file production. Running on the Ometeotl supercomputing environment.
📌 Repo: HYCOM-IOA
Faculty of Sciences, UNAM — 2023
Investigated the dynamic interaction between two adjacent submarine canyons during upwelling events using MITgcm numerical simulations in a rotating tank setup. Designed 15 simulation runs varying stratification (Brunt-Väisälä frequency), Coriolis parameter, and density profiles — with canyon geometry based on the Astoria and Barkley Canyons (USA/Canada). Quantified upwelling depth and upwelling flux for each canyon and compared results against the theoretical scaling of Howatt & Allen (2013).
Key findings: The upstream canyon consistently showed greater upwelling depth and initial upwelling flux. Canyon interaction strength is inversely proportional to both the Burger number (Bu) and the Rossby number (Rw). Stratification plays a key role — higher N reduces the dynamic coupling between canyons.
Advisor: Dr. Ana Karina Ramos Musalem (UNAM)
Gulf of Mexico — May 2024
Participated in an interdisciplinary research campaign, collecting and curating physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic datasets. Contributed to quality control and consistency checks for observational data used in validation and modelling workflows.
| Degree | Institution | Period |
|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. Earth Sciences — Meteorology & Physical Oceanography | UNAM | 2023 – Present |
| B.Sc. Earth Sciences — Aquatic Sciences | UNAM | 2017 – 2023 |
I'm open to research collaborations, positions in ocean modelling, climate science, and polar oceanography, and conversations about reproducible scientific computing.
- 📧 Email: estebanci96@gmail.com
- 💼 LinkedIn: esteban-cruz-isidro
- 📍 Location: Mexico City, Mexico
"The ocean is a mighty harmonist." — William Wordsworth