International Pacific Research Center | People

James T. Potemra

Manager, APDRC
Faculty, HIGP

International Pacific Research Center
School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology
University of Hawaii
Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

Phone: (808) 956-2737
Fax: (808) 956-9425
Email:

Education

1998 - Ph.D. (Oceanography), University of Hawaii
1990 - M.S. (Oceanography), Florida State University
1986 - B.S. (Physics), Stevens Institute of Technology

Research Interests

General ocean circulation and its relationship to climate
Processes in the western equatorial Pacific and eastern Indian Ocean and their connection

Scientific Work Experience

Manager, Asia-Pacific Data-Research Center, IPRC (1/11 – present)
Assistant Manager, Asia-Pacific Data-Research Center, IPRC (5/08 – 12/10)
Faculty, Hawaii Institute of Geophysics and Planetology/SOEST (5/08 – present)
Assistant Researcher, International Pacific Research Center (IPRC) at the University of Hawaii (8/01 – 4/08)
Research Associate Postdoctoral, University of Washington School of Oceanography (7/99 – 8/01)
Postdoctoral Fellow, International Pacific Research Center (IPRC) at the University of Hawaii (9/98 – 6/99)
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Hawaii (8/92 – 8/98)
Senior Scientist, Hughes STX Corporation (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center) (8/90 – 8/92)
NASA Traineeship, Florida State University (9/88 – 8/90)
Associate Staff, Atlantic Research Corporation (6/86 – 9/88)
Technical Staff, Atlantic Research Corporation (6/85 – 9/85)

Refereed Publications

Yi, D. L., O. Melnichenko, P. Hacker, and J. Potemra, 2020: Remote sensing of sea surface salinity variability in the South China Sea. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 125 (12), doi:10.1029/2020JC016827. IPRC-1489.
Hardesty, B.D., J. Harari, A. Isobe, L. Lebreton, N.A. Maximenko, J.T. Potemra, E. van Sebille, A.D. Vethaak, and C. Wilcox, 2017: Using Numerical Model Simulations to Improve the Understanding of Micro-plastic Distribution and Pathways in the Marine Environment. Front. Mar. Sci., 4 (30), doi:10.3389/fmars.2017.00030. IPRC-1246.
Melnichenko, O.V., A. Amores, N.A. Maximenko, P. Hacker, and J.T. Potemra, 2017: Signature of mesoscale eddies in satellite sea surface salinity data. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 122 (2), 1416-1424, doi:10.1002/2016JC012420. IPRC-1236.
Melnichenko, O.V., P. Hacker, N.A. Maximenko, G. Lagerloef, and J.T. Potemra, 2016: Optimum interpolation analysis of Aquarius sea surface salinity. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 121 (1), 602-616, doi:10.1002/2015JC011343. IPRC-1164.
Potemra, J.T., P. Hacker, O.V. Melnichenko, and N.A. Maximenko, 2016: Satellite estimate of freshwater exchange between the Indonesian Seas and the Indian Ocean via the Sunda Strait. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 121 (7), 5098-5111, doi:10.1002/2015JC011618. IPRC-1193.
Melnichenko, O.V., P. Hacker, N.A. Maximenko, G. Lagerloef, and J.T. Potemra, 2014: Spatial Optimal Interpolation of Aquarius Sea Surface Salinity: Algorithms and Implementation in the North Atlantic. J. Atmos. Ocean. Tech., 31 (7), 1583-1600, doi:10.1175/JTECH-D-13-00241.1. IPRC-1052.
Jia, Y., P.H.R. Calil, E.P. Chassignet, E.J. Metzger, J.T. Potemra, K.J. Richards, and A.J. Wallcraft, 2011: Generation of mesoscale eddies in the lee of the Hawaiian Islands. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 116 (5), C11009, doi:10.1029/2011JC00730.
Jochum, M., and J.T. Potemra, 2008: Sensitivity of tropical rainfall to Banda Sea diffusivity in the Community Climate System Model. J. Climate, 21, 6445-6454.
Potemra, J.T., and N. Schneider, 2007: Influence of low-frequency Indonesian throughflow transport on temperatures in the Indian Ocean in a coupled model. J. Climate, 20, 1339-1352.
Potemra, J.T., and N. Schneider, 2007: Interannual variations of the Indonesian throughflow. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 112, C05035, doi:10.1029/2006JC003808.
Yu, Z., and J. Potemra, 2006: Generation mechanism for the intraseasonal variability in the Indo-Australian basin. J. Geophys. Res.-Oceans, 111, C01013, doi:10.1029/2005JC003023.
Annamalai, H., J. Potemra, R. Murtugudde, and J.P. McCreary, 2005: Effect of preconditioning on the extreme climate events in the tropical Indian Ocean. J. Climate, 18, 3450-3469.
Potemra, J.T., 2005: Indonesian throughflow transport variability estimated from satellite altimetry. Oceanography, 18, (4), 98-107.
Annamalai, H., R. Murtugudde, J. Potemra, S.P. Xie, P. Liu, and B. Wang, 2003: Coupled dynamics over the Indian Ocean: Spring initiation of the zonal mode. Deep Sea Research II, 50, 2305-2330.
Potemra, J.T., S.L. Hautala, and J. Sprintall, 2003: Vertical structure of Indonesian throughflow in a large-scale model. Deep Sea Research II, 50, 2143-2161.
Potemra, J.T., J. Sprintall, S.L. Hautala, and W. Pandoe, 2003: Observed estimates of convergence in the Savu Sea, Indonesia. J. Geophys. Res., 108 (C1), 3001, doi:10.1029/2002JC001507.
Sprintall, J., J.T. Potemra, S.L. Hautala, N.A. Bray, and W. Pandoe, 2003: Temperature and salinity variability in the exit passages of the Indonesian Throughflow. Deep Sea Research II, 50, 2183-2204.
Potemra, J.T, S.L. Hautala, and J. Sprintall, 2002: Interaction between the Indonesian seas and the Indian Ocean in observations and numerical models. J. Phys. Oceanogr., 32 (6), 1838-1854.
Hautala, S.L., J. Sprintall, J.T. Potemra, A.G. Ilahude, J.C. Chong, W. Pandoe, and N. Bray, 2001: Velocity structure and transport of the Indonesian throughflow in the major straits restricting flow into the Indian Ocean. J. Geophys. Res., 106, 19,527-19,546.
Potemra, J.T., 2001: The potential role of equatorial Pacific winds on southern tropical Indian Ocean Rossby waves. J. Geophys. Res., 106, 2407-2422.
Potemra, J.T., 1999: Seasonal Variations of the Pacific to Indian Ocean Throughflow. J. Phys. Ocean., 29, 2930-2944.
Potemra, J.T., and R. Lukas, 1999: Seasonal to interannual modes of sea level variability in the western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans. Geophys. Res. Lett., 26, 365-368.
Potemra, J.T., R. Lukas, and G. Mitchum, 1997: Large-scale Estimation of Transport from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 27,795-27,812.
Potemra, J.T., M.E. Luther, and J.J. O'Brien, 1991: The Seasonal Circulation of the Upper Ocean in the Bay of Bengal. J. Geophys. Res., 96, 12,667-12,684.
Potemra, J.T., 1987: SSBN Technical Support Evaluation of Ship Control Systems ECP's, ORI Technical Reports TR 2745, TR 2755, TR 2756 and TR 2757.
Potemra, J.T., 1986: Simulation Testing of a Submarine Depth Changing Algorithm, ORI Technical Report TR 2671.