Nelson Melo

11424 SW 132th Pl Unit. 2, Miami, Florida 33186

Phone: 305 331 2309

e-mail: nmelo00@gmail.com

NELSON MELO - Curriculum Vitae (Abstract - Apr. 2024)

I.  GENERAL INFORMATION

 

Name:                  Nelson Melo

Address:              11424 SW 132th Pl Unit. 2, Miami, Florida 33186, USA.

Mobil:                   (305) 331-2309

E-mail:                  nmelo00@gmail.com

E-mail:                  nmelo@altametry.com

WEB:                     nmelo.co

Current Position: Director – ALTAMETRY, Senior Researcher.

Citizenship:         United States, Cuba.

Languages:          Spanish (Native Language), English (speak, translate, read, and write), and Russian (speak, read, and write).

 

II.  PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINES

Project Manager, Physical Oceanography and Marine Remote Sensing, Science and Computer Instrumentation, Nuclear Physics, Solid State.

 

III. ACADEMIC DEGREES

 

Bachelor's Degree:

Bachelor of Physics.  Specialization: a) Nuclear Physics. b) Electronic and Solid-State Physics.

Obtained at the Physics Faculty, University of Havana, Cuba (1972 - 1978).

Master's Degree:

Master of Nuclear Physical Sciences.  Thesis Title: “Mossbauer Effect in Cuban Magnetite”. 

Obtained at the Physics Faculty, University of Havana, Cuba (1978)

Ph D. Degree:

Thesis Title: “Characterization of oceanographic parameters and phenomena around the island of Cuba from thermal and color space images of the sea.” University of South Florida (USF), USA. (In P).

 

Post-graduate studies:  

General Oceanography

Post-graduate university courses in general oceanography (16 months) received in Cuba, Russia and Bulgaria (Hydrography Cuban Institute, Cuba; Institute of Oceanography (Shirchov) Moscow; Russia. Institute of Oceanography, Sofia, Bulgaria).

 

Remote Sensing

Post graduate courses in Remote Sensing (18 months) received in Russia, Germany, Venezuela, Chile and USA (Institute of Oceanography (Shirchov) Moscow, Russia; Institute for Cosmic Research, Berlin, Germany; Institute of Oceanography, Rootstock, Germany; Universidad Simón Bolívar, Caracas, Venezuela; University of Chile, Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), Santiago, Chile; University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Fl, USA.)

 

Remote Sensing, Science and Computer Instrumentation

Post graduate courses in Remote Sensing, Remote Pilot, science and computer instrumentation (22 months) received in USA, Cuba, Russia, Germany (Mathematics Faculty, Havana University, Cuba; Institute of Oceanography (Shirchov) Moscow, Russia; Institute for Cosmic Research, Berlin, Germany; University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Fl., FAA Miami Fl. USA.)

 

IV.  WORK EXPERIENCE:

 

Research Specialties: Project Manager, Physical Oceanography and Remote Sensing (satellite remote sensors and aero-space digital images processing).  Scientific Diver (100 Ft, Nitrox certified); Boating skills and seamanship certified. FAA Remote Pilot

 

Institutions (USA):

Altametry INC. (20114 – Present.)

Florida International University - ALTA Systems, Miami, USA (2014 -2017);

Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS), Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS); University of Miami. Miami, USA (2001-2013).

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), Miami, USA (2001-2013).

Responsibilities:  Director of Marine Research, South Florida Oceanographic Research Projects. Windward Passage Circulation and Transport Study. Fisheries Oceanography of the Caribbean Sea.

Senior Research Associate, Chief Scientist in 132 oceanographic cruises (UM).

 

Institutions (Cuba):

Instituto de Oceanología (IDO), Instituto Hidrografico (ICH), Instituto de Geodesia y Cartografia (ICGC), Agencia de Medio Ambiente. Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología y Medio Ambiente (CITMA) Havana, Cuba (1978-1999).

Responsibilities: Director of the Division of Research and Environment; Head of the Research Group in Marine Remote Sensing; Principal Investigator of the International Project with the European Space Agency (ESA): “Integrated study of coastal environment in Cuba using satellite SAR - ERS imagery (AO3–126)”. Chief Scientist of the Marine Remote Sensing Group at the Instituto Cubano de Hidrografía (ICH) and at Centro de Investigaciones de Geodesia Cartografía y Teledetección (CIGCT). (86 - 95).

 

Remote Sensing, Science and Computer Instrumentation: Blimp borne remote sensing systems (Altimetry) design, develop and operation. Installation and operation of science, radio- location and computer instrumentation (computer and network installation, cabling, hardware and software maintenance, setup, and operation). Altametry, University of Miami, AM Computers Corp.

 

Project Leader, chief scientist, cruise leader, principal investigator (PI) or participant in Remote Sensing projects (Cuba, USA, Germany, Rusia); 162 USA, Cuban, or international remote sensing and oceanographic research projects and cruises (Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Black Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Cuban bays, Florida Bay, etc.) (1978 ----).

 

V. RESEARC PROJECT PARTICIPATION

 

Chief Scientist and participation in Remote Sensing and oceanographic research projects in USA, Mexico, Colombia, El Salvador, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, Florida Bay and adjacent coastal waters. Altametry INC. Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) University of  Miami, USA and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA USA), (2001 - present)

 

Resent projects participation includes but not limited to:

 

•             Blimp borne remote sensing instruments (design, develop and operation).

•             International Remote Sensing (aerial and satellite) instrumentation and research.

•             South Florida Regional Observing System

•             High Resolution Assessment of Carbon Dynamics in Seagrass and Coral Reef Biomes

•             Coral Reef Ecosystem Research

•             Creation and management of newly designed Shallow Water Drifters

•             HPCC Project: Exploring New WEB-Based Techniques for Analysis and Visualization of Environmental Data

•             South Florida Ecosystem Restoration and Modeling Program (SFERPM)

•             Real Time Oceanographic Observations in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)

•             Florida Bay Inner Basins Circulation Study

•             Interdisciplinary Coastal Oceanographic Observations

•             Meso-American System Transport & Ecology Research

 

Principal investigator of the European Space Agency (ESA) International Project: “Integrated study of coastal environment in Cuba using satellite SAR - ERS imagery (AO3–126).” (Instituto de Oceanología de Cuba). (1999).

 

 Officer and Chief Scientist of the project GEF/PNUD CUB/92/G-31 “Protección de la Biodiversidad y Desarrollo Sostenible del Archipiélago Sabana-Camagüey”, “Thermal and superficial pigments characterization in shelf and oceanic areas of the Archipelago Savanna-Camagüey, Cuba (GEOCUBA Investigación y Consultoría). (1995).

 

Author and co-author of the integral geographical studies and series of thematic maps of the Archipelagos (3): Sabana - Camagüey, Canarreos & Jardines de la Reina. Cartography characterization of coastal and shelf areas using Remote Sensing methods. (National prize of science and technique), (CIGCT). (90 - 93).

 

Chief Scientist for the book “Diving guide of Santa Lucía, Camagüey, Cuba” (geographical and oceanographically characterization of 38 diving points), (CIGCT). (1992).

 

VI.  TEACHING EXPERIENCE:

Universidad de la Habana, Cuba. Taught 6 courses to university and superior technical level student: “Electromagnetism”; “General Oceanography”; “Remote Sensing”; “Remote Sensing of the Natural Resources”; “Marine Remote Sensing”; “Computer Instrumentation”.  Advisor for four Degree Theses.

 

VII.  REFEREED Publications

 

Melo, N., G. Paili, P. Lugari, E. Martinez, A. Nardini, et al. Verde, Eventos Ambientales 2011-2015. (2018). “Metodos de Caracterizacion de Ecosistemas Costeros”. Fundación Universitaria Dominicana Pedro Henriquez Urena. ISBN 978-9945-597-44-8

 

D. Turk, K. K. Yates, M. Vega-Rodriguez, G. Toro-Farmer, C. L’Esperance, N. Melo, D. Ramsewak, M. Dowd, S. Cerdeira Estrada, F. E. Muller-Karger, S. R. Herwitz, W. R. McGillis (2015). Community metabolism in shallow coral reef and seagrass ecosystems, lower Florida Keys. MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES. Vol. 538: 35–52, 2015 doi: 10.3354/meps11385.

 

E. M. Johns, B. A. Muhling, R.C.Perez, F.E.Mueller-Karger, N. Melo, R. H. Smith, J. T. Lamkin, T. L. Gerald and E. Malca (2014). Amazon River water in the northeastern Caribbean Sea and its effect on larval reef fish assemblages during April 2009. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Fish. Oceanography, 11 NOV 2014 | DOI: 10.1111/fog.12082.

 

Zhao, J., B. Barnes, N. Melo, D. English, B. Lapointe, F. Muller-Karger, B. Schaeffer, and C. Hu (2013).  Assessment of satellite-derived diffuse attenuation coefficients and euphotic depths in south Florida coastal waters. Remote Sensing of Environment 131, 38–50.

 

Zhao, J., C. Hu, B. Lapointe, N. Melo, E. M. Johns, and R. Smith (2013),  Satellite-Observed Black Water Events off Southwest Florida: Implications for Coral Reef Health in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Remote Sensing 5, 415-431; doi:10.3390/rs5010415.

Manzello, D. P., I. C. Enochs, N. Melo, D. K. Gledhill, and E. M. Johns (2012). Ocean Acidification Refugia of the Florida Reef Tract.  PLoS ONE 7(7): e41715. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0041715.

 

Melo, N., and T. N. Lee.  (2012). Water circulation and renewal in Florida Bay is influenced by flow from the southwest shelf and tidal passes.  In:  SOUTH FLORIDA MARINE ENVIRONMENTS: An ecological synthesis; Chapter 2, Oceanographic Connectivity.  W. Kruczynski and P. Fletcher, Eds.  ISBN 978-0-9822305-3-4 (2012).

 

Ivan Peréz-Santos y W. Schneider (2012), Book: “Oceanografía de la Cuenca de Yucatán, Mar Caribe: Implicaciones dinámicas, observaciones y modelos numéricos”, Capítulo 4: Respuesta de la clorofila-a durante el paso de eventos meteorológicos de escala sinóptica”. Arnoldo Valle-Levinson, Marcus Sobarzo, Inia Soto, José Garcés-Vargas, Raúl Montoya-Sánchez, Nelson Melo y Frank Müller-Karger. Editorial Académia Española, ISBN: 978-3-8454-9263-6, 148 pp.

 

Cannizzaro, J. P., C. Hu, K. L. Carder, C. R. Kelble, N. Melo, E. M. Johns, G. A. Vargo, and C. A. Heil (2013).  On the accuracy of SeaWiFS ocean color data products on the west Florida shelf. On the accuracy of SeaWiFS ocean color products on the west Florida shelf.  In Press. J. COASTAL RESEARCH - D-12-00223.

 

Fiechter, J., B. K. Haus, N. Melo, and C. N. K. Mooers (2008). Physical processes impacting passive particle dispersal in the Upper Florida Keys. Continental Shelf Research 28, 1261– 1272.

 

Lee, T. N., N. Melo, E. Johns, C. Kelble, R. H. Smith, and P. Ortner (2008). On Water Renewal and Salinity Variability in the Northeast Subregion of Florida Bay. Bulletin of Marine Science 82(1), 83–105.

 

Lee, T. N., E. Johns, N. Melo, R. H. Smith, P. B. Ortner, and D. Smith (2006). On Florida Bay hypersalinity and water exchange.  Bulletin of Marine Science 79(2), 301-327.

 

Melo N., F. Müller-Karger, S. Cerdeira, R. Pérez de los Reyes, I. Victoria del Río, P. Cárdenas Pérez, and I. Mitrani Arenal (2000).  Near-Surface Phytoplankton Distribution in the Western Intra-Americas Seas: The Influence of El Niño and Weather Events”. Journal of Geophysical Research 105 (C6), 14,029-14,043.

 

 Melo N “Oceanography” chapter in the: “Derrotero de las Costas de Cuba” book (ICH). (85 - 86).

 

VIII. OTHER PUBLICATIONS

 

Melo, N., T. N. Lee, N. Smith, E. M. Johns, R. H. Smith, P. B. Ortner, and D. Smith. (2008). “Understanding Florida Bay Hypersalinity and Water Exchange”, Abstract published in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem Restoration Planning, Policy and Science Conference. Jul 28-Aug 01 2008 Naples, Fl.

 

Melo N., T. Lee, N. Smith, E. Johns, R. Smith, P. Ortner, D. Smith. (2005) “Recent Measurements of Salinity, Flow and Sea Level Variability in the Western Basin of Florida Bay  – Rabbit and Twin Key Basins” Abstract published in the Florida Bay and Adjacent Marine Systems Science Conference. Dec 11-14 2005 Duck Key, Fl.

 

Bitterman, D., N. Melo, R. H. Smith, and W. D. Wilson (2003).  Florida Bay Shallow Water Surface Drifter.  Paper published in CD-ROM by: X-CD Technologies. Office of Conferences and Institutes (OCI), University of Florida / IFAS, PO Box 110750, Building 639, Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-0750, PHONE: 352-392-5930 / FAX: 352-392-9734.

 

Melo N.,  T. N. Lee, E. J. Williams, D. Smith, M. Framinan, R. H. Smith, and E. Johns (2003). A Movie of Florida Bay Sea Level Response to Local Wind Forcing.  Movie published in CD-ROM by: X-CD Technologies. Office of Conferences and Institutes (OCI), University of Florida / IFAS, PO Box 110750, Building 639, Mowry Road, Gainesville, FL 32611-0750, PHONE: 352-392-5930 / FAX: 352-392-9734.

 

 

Updated: Apr. 2024