Doctor Natasha Sarah Lucas is a researcher in the field of Physical Oceanography with overarching research goals of understanding how small-scale process ((O)0.1 m – 10 km) in the ocean surface boundary layer affect the distribution of heat, salt and biological tracers and their ventilation between the atmosphere and the deeper ocean, with subsequent climatic impacts. She aims to further our knowledge of the mechanisms (Surface, Langmuir and Ekman buoyancy forcing, convective buoyancy forcing and submesoscale instabilities) that control the evolution of the mixed layer and how interactions within these layers, particularly those of icebergs, can affect the salt, heat and biological distribution within the water column.

Her recent research interests focus on ocean mixing and the impact of small-scale processes on the Agulhas leakage current in the Cape Basin, off the west coast of South Africa; a hotspot of eddy kinetic energy, feeding warm and salty Indian Ocean water into the Atlantic and subsequently affecting the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Her previous role focused on the stability of the cryosphere around Antarctica and its subsequent impact on the climate, with a particular focus on submesoscale dynamics and the interaction of icebergs with upper ocean layers. Before this, she developed techniques to aid design and operation of tidal energy convertors by characterisation of key aspects of turbulence, i.e. the scales, structure/coherency and stress, which are most likely to compromise TEC structural integrity. She was also a key researcher on the OSMOSIS project, focusing on the role of Langmuir circulation and inertial shear spikes in driving mixing within and below the surface mixed layer of the ocean.

Her work utilises autonomous profiling platforms along with ship borne measurements and moorings. She has expertise in novel applications of instrumentation, with the development of Structure Functions using moored ADCPs and turbulence analysis using gliders. She works with full data timescales from acquisition to processing and analysis. With research interests pivoting around observational oceanography; ocean turbulence and mixing, ocean dynamics and fluxes.

Natasha currently sits on the SCOR working group Analysing Ocean Turbulence Observations to Quantify Mixing (ATOMIX). Through her career she has received awards from the Antarctic Science Bursary 2023, UKRI Instant Recognition Award 2023, BAS GEM Award 2021, Rank Prize Funds Laser Ablation award 2004 and the European Space Agency/Internation Astronautical Federation World Space Congress Award 2002. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and was the UK representative on the European strategy program called OPERA2015 (Optics and Photonics in the European Research Area).

Natasha has worked in Oceanography since 2012, but her previous work spans from laser ablation to teaching methodologies. She has an active role in shaping young minds and outreach, including providing oceanographic roadshows at WOMAD and BLUEDOT festivals, the design and implementation of undergraduate curricula for the Institute of Physics, the teaching of physics, maths, ICT and outdoor education both paid and voluntary, science week demonstrations in schools, rocket science roadshows, engineering workshops (such as building a hovercraft), participation in the Princes Trust Volunteers Programme and volunteering at DASH Hulme.

Dr Natasha Lucas

Rm 325 Westbury Mount, / Ystafell 325 Westbury Mount,

School of Ocean Sciences, / Ysgol Gwyddorau Eigion,

Bangor University, / Prifysgol Bangor,

Askew St, / Ffordd Y Coleg

Menai Bridge, / Porthaethwy,

Anglesey, / Ynys Mon,

LL59 5AB, UK 

n.lucas@bangor.ac.uk

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natasha_Lucas

https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashalucas/

  • Physical Oceanographer

    Bangor University & Nortek

    Apr 2017 – Present

    School of Ocean Sciences - Menai Bridge

    The aim of this project is to develop techniques to aid the design and operation of Tidal Energy Convertors (TECs) by characterisation of key aspects of turbulence, i.e. the scales, structure/coherency and stress, which are most likely to compromise the structural integrity of the tidal energy infrastructure.

    Oceanographers are able to exploit local assumptions of stationary and homogeneity to measure the rate of dissipation of turbulent kinetic energy (ε) by applying the recently developed structure function approach to velocity profiles measured using off-the-shelf acoustic Doppler current profilers (ADCPs) (Lucas et al., 2014; Wiles et al., 2006). These flows have primarily been applicable to quantification of fluxes across critical interfaces within marine environments, and thus of considerably lower Reynolds numbers than those found in the tidal race environments attractive to TEC.

    Recent measurements demonstrate that whilst ε is strongly linked to tidal current speed, in a confined channel it is highly variable, fluctuating by over an order of magnitude for a given flow speed. Importantly, the widely used acoustic techniques reported above fail to resolve this variability in ε, which results from the formation of coherent structures.

    The occurrence of coherent structures is linked the formation of vortices downstream of rough seabed topography leading to the ejection of turbulence from the turbulent boundary layer close to the sea bed. The surface manifestation of sub-surface coherent structures, “boils”, are commonly observed in regions of strong flow such as rivers and strong tidal flows, the intensity of which is observed to increase with the roughness of the sea bed. This complication puts these processes beyond simple parameterisation, and hence inclusion in current standard tidal models, and so implying the need for site specific assessment of the potential impact of coherent structures on in-stream tidal energy generation infrastructure.

    Physical Oceanographer

    Norsk Polarinstitutt

    Apr 2016 – Dec 2016

    Tromso / Bangor

    NORWEGIAN YOUNG SEA ICE PROJECT (N-ICE2015)

    The study of under ice turbulence and its role in diapycnal mixing modulating the heat budget of the Arctic Ocean. Using novel instrumentation and techniques we are able to study turbulence directly under ice floes. https://eos.org/project-updates/arctic-research-on-thin-ice-consequences-of-arctic-sea-ice-loss

    Physical Oceanographer

    School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University

    Apr 2012 – Jan 2016

    Menai Bridge

    Natasha works as a Post-Doctoral Research Assistant for the OSMOSIS[i] project; working in partnership with other institutions to develop new parameterisations of turbulent processes that drive the deepening and shoaling of the ocean surface boundary layer (OSBL).

    Natasha’s work concentrates on analysis of mooring-, ship- and glider-based measurements of small and fine-scale processes to investigate the dynamics of turbulent mixing in the NE Atlantic Ocean, focusing on how the OSBL fluxes heat and momentum, including the processes of Langmuir circulation and inertial shear spikes, and how these processes drive mixing within and below the OSBL governing surface temperatures and mixed layer depths.

    Her work also includes analysis of atmospheric, hydrographic, velocity and microstructure measurements in the small-fetch environment of the Clyde Sea. Concurrent to this project she has been involved in a parallel turbulence project at Lake Windermere, assisted in the supervision of an MSc and PhD student, taught for the MSc in Physical Oceanography and undertaken participation in teaching cruises on the RV Prince Madog. She has written and collaborated to produce papers on the quantitative results of her work and presented results both nationally and internationally.

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    [i] Ocean Surface Mixing and Submesoscale Interaction Study

2022

2019

2018

  • PublishedAnnual Cycle of Turbulent Dissipation Estimated from Seagliders
    Evans, D. G., Lucas, N., Hemsley, V., Frajka-Williams, E., Naveria Garabato, A. C., Martin, A., Painter, S. C., Inall, M. E. & Palmer, M. R., 16 Oct 2018, In: Geophysical Research Letters. 45, 19, p. 10560-10569 45.
    Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2015

2014

2025

  • Nortek - SOS meeting: future instruments and collaboration

    Meeting to discuss recent applications of Nortek instruments within SOS, what Nortek have on the horizon and how we can continue to work together moving forwards.

    7 Mar 2025

    Activity: Types of Business and Community - Hosting of external, non-academic visitor (Contributor)

Education

  • The University of Salford

    Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (FHEA)

    Education

    2011 – 2012

     

  • The University of Salford

    PhD

    Laser ablation, spectroscopy, space technology

    2001 – 2007

    Activities and Societies: SUMC, SUCK

    PhD title:

    The application of Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) to the analysis of geological samples in simulated extra-terrestrial atmospheric environments

     

  • The University of Salford

    BSc

    Physics with Space Technology

    1st Class Honours

    1997 – 2001

    Activities and Societies: SUMC, SUCK, Student Rep.

Volunteer Experience

 

Volunteer

DASH, AVIT, among others..

1996 – 2012

16 yrs

Volunteer experience:

February 2006 – April 2012, Adventure Volunteers Initiative Team (AVIT).

Duke of Edinburgh Volunteer for Deans Open Award Centre, including IT training and setup of a networked PC Suite.

February 2002 – December 2007, Salford University Canoe and Kayak (SUCK)

Level 4 Inland Kayak Coach, providing free white water coaching for the club both in the UK and Europe. Trip Secretary for the years 2002 - 2005.

April 1996 – June 1997, Drugs Advice and Support in Hulme (DASH)

Needle Exchange worker & supervisor of D.A.S.H. at the women’s evening.

March 1996 – June 1996, The Princes Trust Volunteers

Team building, Community project, Individual voluntary placement, Group project

Awards and Accreditations:

Full University Colours

8 Hour Aquatic First Aid

HeartStart Trainer

MIDAS Certificate

Duke of Edinburgh Platinum Award

BCU Inland Kayak Coach, Level 4

GNAS, Archery Leader

SPA Trained

Introduction to Counselling

Acupuncture (short course)