Physical Oceanography · Rutgers University
Hi, I’m Becca Horwitz.
I’m a PhD candidate in Physical Oceanography at Rutgers University. My research explores the connections between physical and biological processes in coastal ocean systems and how these interactions shape marine ecosystems.
I integrate a range of observational tools—including satellite observations, ocean gliders, meteorological data, and high-frequency radar—to investigate historical trends and real-time ocean dynamics. I am passionate about communicating my findings to diverse stakeholders, including coastal communities, policymakers, and the fishing industry, to support informed responses to environmental change.
Looking ahead, I hope to contribute to a better understanding of coastal systems worldwide by helping to expand ocean observing networks to improve public access to critical ocean observations.
PhD Research
My doctoral research focuses on the Mid-Atlantic Bight, where I investigate how physical oceanographic processes influence regional ecosystems. This densely populated coastal region supports important commercial fisheries and marine resources, making it particularly vulnerable to climate change.
My thesis examines the drivers of extreme ocean temperature events in the region and explores how these events may influence primary productivity, fisheries, and biogeochemical cycles.
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Let’s stay in touch
CV
Download CV (PDF)Education
2023 – presentPhD Candidate, Oceanography
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Travis Miles
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Travis Miles
2018 – 2022B.A., Double Major in Geology and Environmental Studies
Carleton College
Carleton College
Professional experience
2024 – presentGraduate Assistant
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
2026Field Team Lead, Western Antarctic Peninsula NSF LTER Cruise
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
2022 – 2023Research Technician
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Haskin Shellfish Research Laboratory
2021 – 2022NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Intern
Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS)
Science Center for Marine Fisheries (SCEMFIS)
2021NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates Intern
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
Rutgers University, Department of Marine and Coastal Sciences
2019 – 2022Campus Sustainability Coordinator
Carleton College Sustainability Office
Carleton College Sustainability Office
Publications
2023Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. (2023). “Overlap between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Offshore Wind Lease Areas.” ICES Journal of Marine Science. 82 (4): pp 190. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsad190
2023Busch, E., Miles, T., Lopez, A., Horwitz, R. (2023). A Dip in the Pool: Analyzing the Stability Strength of the Mid-Atlantic Cold Pool. OCEANS 2023, Marine Technology Society (MTS)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) U.S. Gulf Coast, Biloxi, MS. DOI: 10.23919/OCEANS52994.2023.10337025
2022Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. (2022). Investigating the Overlap Between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Off-Shore Wind Lease Areas. OCEANS 2022, Marine Technology Society (MTS)/Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Hampton Roads, Hampton Roads, VA. DOI: 10.1109/OCEANS47191.2022.9977050
Awards and fellowships
2026Thomas Lloyd Endowed Graduate Fellowship
Rutgers University
Rutgers University
2025Teledyne-Webb Graduate Research Fellowship
Rutgers University
Rutgers University
2024Honorable Mention, Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
National Science Foundation (NSF)
2024Early Career Ocean Professional Travel Grant
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Global Ocean Observing System
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the Global Ocean Observing System
2023Summer Undergraduate Pipeline to Excellence at Rutgers Graduate Fellowship
Rutgers University
Rutgers University
2022Finalist, Student Poster Competition
Office of Naval Research, Marine Technology Society Oceans Conference 2022
Office of Naval Research, Marine Technology Society Oceans Conference 2022
2022Sigma Xi Member
2022Stewsie Award
Carleton College
Carleton College
2021Honorable Mention, Poster Conference Competition
Rutgers University Research Internship in Ocean Sciences
Rutgers University Research Internship in Ocean Sciences
Field and lab experience
2026Phytoplankton Sub-Team Lead, North Atlantic Ocean
R/V Falkor (too), Salt finger Processes Influence on Carbon and Ecosystem dynamics (SPICE) Cruise
4 weeks
R/V Falkor (too), Salt finger Processes Influence on Carbon and Ecosystem dynamics (SPICE) Cruise
4 weeks
- Analyzed samples collected from CTD Rosette using filters, Imaging Flow Cytobot, and FIRe
- Oversaw 3 person team
2026Phytoplankton Group Lead, Western Antarctic Peninsula
R/V Roger Revelle, Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (PAL-LTER)
8 weeks
R/V Roger Revelle, Palmer Long Term Ecological Research (PAL-LTER)
8 weeks
- Responsible for 4 person team under PI Dr. Oscar Scofield
- Led CTD and Rosette operations
- Coordinated all phytoplankton related deck, field and lab operations
- Analyzed samples collected from CTD Rosette using filters, Imaging Flow Cytobot, QFT-iCAM and FIRe
2023 – presentSlocum Glider Deployment and Recovery
Rutgers University, R/V Rutgers and R/V Arabella
More than 50 days
Rutgers University, R/V Rutgers and R/V Arabella
More than 50 days
2022 – presentOyster Population Surveys, Delaware Bay
Rutgers University, Commercial Oyster Boats and NJ DEP Boats
More than 10 days
Rutgers University, Commercial Oyster Boats and NJ DEP Boats
More than 10 days
- Assisted with deck operations and sample sorting
2022, 2023Surfclam Population Surveys, Atlantic Ocean
Rutgers University, F/V Joey D
1 week
Rutgers University, F/V Joey D
1 week
- Shift lead, managed communication between crew, captain and science team
- Assisted with navigation and way point finding
- Collected CTD and PCO2 data, Petersen grab and Surfclam samples
Presentations
2026Miles, T., Gradone, J., Hopson, L., Horwitz, R., Engdahl, J., Glenn, S. Observations of the storm-driven fall overturn of the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool from a glider mounted microrider. Poster presented at the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) 2026 Ocean Sciences Meeting, Glasgow, Scotland.
2025Horwitz, R., Miles, T. Investigating Variability of Mid-Atlantic Bight Ocean Temperature Extremes. Poster presented at the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Dewey Beach, Delaware.
2024Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. Investigating the Overlap Between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Leased Off-Shore Wind Sites. Poster presented at the North American Wind Energy Academy (NAWEA)/WindTech 2024 Conference, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
2024Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Glenn, S., Stienbarger, C. Detection of Anomalous Sea Surface Temperature Events Using an Ocean Observation Network. Poster presented at the Agulhas Current Design Workshop, Cape Town, South Africa.
2024Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. Overlap between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Offshore Wind Lease Areas. Poster presented at the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO) 2024 Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana.
2022Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. Investigating the Overlap Between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Leased Off-Shore Wind Sites. Poster presented at the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting, Asbury Park, New Jersey.
2022Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. Investigating the Overlap Between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Leased Off-Shore Wind Sites. Poster presented at the Marine Technology Society Oceans 2022 Conference Student Poster Competition, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
2022Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. Investigating Possible Overlap Between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Leased Off-Shore Wind Sites. Poster presented at the Mid-Atlantic Committee on the Ocean, Mid-Atlantic Ocean Forum Student Poster Session, virtual.
2022Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. Investigating Possible Overlap Between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Leased Off-Shore Wind Sites. Poster presented at the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography Ocean Sciences Meeting, Ocean Policy Session, virtual.
2021Horwitz, R., Miles, T., Munroe, D., Kohut, J. Investigating Possible Overlap Between the Mid-Atlantic Bight Cold Pool and Leased Off-Shore Wind Sites. Poster presented at the Rutgers University Research Internship in Ocean Sciences Poster Conference, New Brunswick, NJ.
Conference and symposia convener
2025, 2026Co-Organizer, MTS NJ Student Section Research Symposium, Atlantic City, NJ
2024Moderator, Offshore Wind Energy Research, Development, Evaluation, and Policy, ASLO Ocean Sciences Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana
Workshops and trainings
2025Mission is Ocean (MOCEAN) Workshop on Nature-Enhancing Multi-Objective Offshore Wind farms
2024Jaia Robotics Jaiabot Training
2024Rutgers University Slocum Glider Training
2022Joint NOAA and Rutgers University Workshop in Fisheries Population and Ecosystem Dynamics
2022Fishing Partnership Safety and Survival Training
Teaching and mentoring experience
2026Summer Undergraduate Intern: Rachel Poppleton
Sea Temperature Variability in Costa Rica, Implications for Coral Climate Refuges, NSF-REU Intern (co-mentor)
Sea Temperature Variability in Costa Rica, Implications for Coral Climate Refuges, NSF-REU Intern (co-mentor)
2024Summer Undergraduate Intern: Alexa Liebhardt
Growth Analysis of Atlantic Surfclams Between Physical Environments, NSF-REU Intern (co-mentor)
Growth Analysis of Atlantic Surfclams Between Physical Environments, NSF-REU Intern (co-mentor)
2025Ocean Methods in Data Analysis: Physical Processes
Rutgers University, Teaching Assistant
Rutgers University, Teaching Assistant
2024Physical Oceanography
Rutgers University, Teaching Assistant
Rutgers University, Teaching Assistant
2021Global Change Biology
Carleton College, Teaching Assistant
Carleton College, Teaching Assistant
University service and committees
2026 – presentSocial Media Content Manager, Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observing Leadership
2023 – presentChair, Seminar Committee, Rutgers University Department of Marine and Coastal Science
2025Intern Coordinator, Rutgers University Department of Marine and Coastal Science NSF REU Internship (RIOS)
2024Co-Founder, Society of Women in Marine Science (SWMS), Rutgers University Chapter
2024 – 2025Treasurer, Oceanography Graduate Student Association, Rutgers University
2021 – 2022Captain, DIII Women’s Swim and Dive Team, Carleton College
Professional service
Manuscript Reviewer for the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
Select outreach and broader impacts
2023 – present“Marine Technology Exhibit,” Rutgers Day