Feizi Receives NSF Award to Analyze and Predict Freak Oceanic Waves

Mon May 13, 2019

Soheil Feizi, an assistant professor of computer science with an appointment in the University of Maryland Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), is part of a University of Maryland team that just received a National Science Foundation award to advance the analysis and prediction of freak oceanic waves.

The NSF grant, expected to total $1 million over three years, will support efforts to develop a data-driven framework and other tools to better understand rogue (freak) waves, which—while rare—are considered one of the greatest maritime risks.

Feizi is a co-principal investigator on the project, and is joined by Balakumar Balachandran, professor and chair of mechanical engineering, and Kayo Ide, an associate professor of atmospheric and oceanic science.

The researchers say the results of their work can provide key information for improving the risk-based design of civil engineering and marine systems, including offshore platforms, wind turbines and ships.