Jinsu Bae
Tell us about yourself:
I am in the final stages of PhD program in the University of Alabama under the supervision of Dr. Douglas J. Sherman. I completed my undergraduate and master's degrees in South Korea with a geography major, so my younger days have been entirely dedicated to geography. I love outdoor activity and fieldwork, which makes me more interested in geomorphology because all landforms cannot be fully acknowledged without directly observing them.
What is your research about?
My PhD work focuses on threshold shear velocity which initiates the movement of sand grains from the surface. There are two kinds of threshold shear velocity, one is fluid shear velocity where wind is the only force to move sand grains, and impact shear velocity where saltating grains take a role in the movement of sand grains. I'm focusing on the former and trying to approach this through fieldwork. The major components include surface shear force and grain size. I'm trying to measure these in the field and define new concepts of fluid threshold velocity based on data to resolve disagreements on threshold shear velocity between modeling and field-based experiments.
What excites you about your research?
The initiation of grain movement by shear stress is the fundamental and the very starting point of sediment transport processes in aeolian geomorphology as well as fluvial, glacial, and coastal geomorphology. Surprisingly, there is no agreement on this issue despite decades of research. If I can contribute to resolving this issue, I would be really excited. Moreover, I love getting out to the field. The field is full of adventure and unexpectedness. It can be a waste of time sometimes when the experiment setup is ready and no wind blows. However, when getting enough wind, it can be a great pleasure that cannot be felt inside the lab or in front of the computer. I love everything I encounter during fieldwork.
What broader importance does your research have for society?
Sediment transport processes are very important to understand all kinds of sedimentary landforms. Even though I study aeolian sediment transport process, it can be generally applied to other environments because the general principle is the same: shear stress that moves objects and resistance that is against it. To understand how sedimentary landforms are formed, we can figure out how to conserve them. For example, a coastal dune is the typical aeolian sedimentary landform that can serve as a barrier against storms. To examine sediment processes on beaches in front of dunes, we can decide whether the dune is progressing or not, and further the need for nourishment.
What inspired you to pursue a career in Earth Science?
It is very difficult to get and measure the signals from nature. However, this signal won't lie. Nature, I feel is very candid and I can hear nature if I properly prepare instruments and the fieldwork design. Even though there can be engagement of one's perspective when interpreting the data, the first-level data is genuine. So, I love listening and measuring signals that Earth produces in the field.
What are you looking to do after you complete your PhD or postdoc?
I prefer to do a postdoc after I complete my PhD. I would like to continue studying geomorphology and doing fieldwork. I am not confined to searching academia or aeolian geomorphology only, but it would be really exciting if I can get a position to do various fieldwork experiences.
Given unlimited funding and access to resources, what is your dream project that you would pursue?
It would be really exciting if I can work with other fields of geomorphology or related disciplines. For example, based on the aeolian sediment processes, I may reconstruct the wind regime of the time when a moraine had been formed. It should need help from glacial geomorphologists to understand moraines. Also we can construct the environment at the time when the moraine started to form. It would be really great to do the fieldwork under the glacier. This is one example, but my dream project is working with other fields to broaden my research and provide various fieldwork experiences.
What else do you do? Any hobbies or interests outside of work?
I love all kinds of outdoor activities such as biking, whitewater rafting, hiking, and traveling with my beautiful, lovely wife. When I'm inside, I prefer to taking care of my cat, Grace and dog, Holly.