Dr Petra Heil

Research Scientist, Australian Antarctic Division

Principal Investigator

I hold a PhD (1999) by research from the Institute for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Studies, Australia. My thesis research was on sea-ice growth, drift and deformation off East Antarctica. I also hold degrees (1994) in physics and oceanography, both from the Christian Albrechts University, Kiel, Germany.

I work as a sea-ice scientist within the Ice-Ocean-Atmosphere-Climate Group of the Australian Antarctic Division. My interests include sea-ice modelling (stand-alone and coupled codes, decadal modelling and short-term forecasting), fast-ice studies (in situ and remotely sensed), and investigation of sea-ice drift and deformation (drifting buoys and remotely sensed).

My previous work experience includes high-performance numerical modelling at the Tasmanian Partnership for Advanced Computing, Australia (2002-2004) and with the International Arctic Research Center, Alaska, USA (2000-2002). At both occasions my focus was on sea-ice modelling: In Alaska I worked in a small team developing a regional model for the study of high-frequency processes. Since back in Australia I have been involved in large-scale (global) sea-ice modelling (including coupled to ocean and/or atmosphere) with the aim to develop a climate-type model suitable also for short-time forecasting, in collaboration with scientists from CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research, Bureau of Meteorology and various universities. Other research of mine included the analysis of fast-ice and meteorological data, satellite- and buoy-derived ice motion data, design of a mass-balance station and incorporation of a stress gauge in a sea-ice buoy.