Virtual Centre for Ocean Satellite Salinity

Dr. Brenda Topliss

Name: Dr. Brenda Topliss

Email: ToplissB@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Field of Study: Ocean Climate

Dr. Brenda Topliss studied first as a physicist (Dunelm) and then as a physical oceanographer (SOS, Bangor). Salinity and temperature data are corner stone measurements for the physical oceanographer. Whether teaching on student training cruises or as a researcher on international ocean-going programs, making temperature and salinity measurements have been a routine part of an oceanographer's career. So the prospect of adding salinity to the list of ocean parameters measurable from space is an exciting one.

The multi-disciplinary aspect of ocean remote sensing has always been an interest for Dr. Topliss  who has worked on visible remote sensing applications of sediment mapping in high tidal regions, bio-optical mapping of shelf regions, lidar bathymetry measurements, and the bio-optics of complex coastal waters.

With infrared remote sensing Dr. Topliss has worked on regional calibrations for the early NOAA series (7,9,11) as well as developing climatological products based on satellite sea surface measurements and an interest through GODAE on developing more accurate products. Dr. Topliss has worked with the satellite team at NOC on GEOSAT and ERS-1 altimetry and aircraft scatterometry and with local colleagues on radar applications.

Dr. Topliss's current research work now include a strong interest in climate (CLIVAR). In how [environmental] indices can be used to understand changing global populations and biodiversity; the role of regime shifts (in concurrence with population dynamics) in explaining long-term variations, typically 10 to100 years, in aquatic species and the role of the oceans, through climate interactions, on terrestrial, vegetation time-series. These longer time scales also include links back to salinity based processes via basin-scale circulation and the larger-scale thermohaline circulation.

Dr. Topliss assists in the review process for CSA-EOADP commercial and research development programs, and both the EEC 5thFP Climate and Sustainable Marine Ecosystem and Earth Observation System programs. She is a Fellow of The (International) Remote Sensing Society, on the editorial board of CJRS and is active in electronic mentoring and WIST issues.

When Brenda is not engaged in science she literally walks away from the job. A keen Rambler, she enjoys day walks both in the English countryside and the Canadian woods. She has also enjoyed getting well above sea-level with walks to the top of Mt. Blanc, Mt. Kenya, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua.

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