Desert Research Institute
Desert Research Institute
Jack Gillies
| Dr. John "Jack" Gillies: Professional Qualifications/CV |
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Dr. Jack Gillies
Title: Interim Executive Director; Research Professor Professional InterestsDr. John A. Gillies has over 14 years experience in the research field of aeolian processes. Currently his research focuses on the physics of fugitive dust emission by wind and anthropogenic processes, the transport and deposition processes, as well as the mitigative actions that can be taken to ameliorate this environmental problem. A second major research initiative he is currently working on is understanding and modeling boundary-layer flow over sparsely vegetated rangelands and Antarctic polar desert surfaces to characterize the effects of the roughness elements on sand transport and dust emissions. He is using shear stress partitioning theory and full scale field-testing to reconcile model predictions with measurements. Dr. Gillies is also investigating the effectiveness of managed vegetation covers and surface treatments to reduce dust emissions from susceptible surfaces. Dr. Gillies has collaborated in the design, construction, and utilization of portable field wind tunnels and the attendant specialized instrumentation for measuring surface shear stress and the in situ emission rates of particulates from various types of surface that are susceptible to wind erosion and fugitive emissions. He has also been involved in developing tower-mounted, self-orienting, suspended sediment samplers for measuring particulate concentration profiles in the atmosphere for estimating vertical fluxes. This instrumentation was developed primarily for use in remote, logistically difficult situations. He has also been involved in research that has examined the role of the surficial characteristics that control the release of dust to the atmosphere in the southwest United States, West Africa, and Canada. Research Areas
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