Vigan MENSAH

Physical Oceanographer
Specially Appointed Assistant Professor
Institute of Low Temperature Science Hokkaido University

Kita-19, Nishi-8, Kitaku, Sapporo 060-0819, Japan.
Phone: +81-11-706-5483, Fax: +81-11-706-7362
e-mail: vmensah@lowtem.hokudai.ac.jp
Research Gate page: Vigan Mensah on ResearchGate
2022

Research Interests

My main research interest is on large scale oceanographic currents and hydrographic properties in polar regions, with a focus on the sea-ice and ocean interactions. My current focus is on the effects of sea ice melting and its temporal variability on the upper ocean properties of the western Arctic Ocean. I also study the variability of the water mass properties in the Sea of Okhotsk and the northwestern Pacific in relation with sea-ice formation in the Okhotsk Sea. Lastly, I also study the formation of dense water and Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) off Cape Darnley, Antarctica, via numerical modeling. I work both on ocean data and satellite observations, and realistic numerical model simulations (MITgcm). I have actively participated in various research cruises. My research approach is to optimize to the best of my abilities the quality of the data or model observations before starting the analysis. This leads me to work on both technical- and science-based manuscripts since I have started doing research.

Professional Experience:

Specially Appointed Assistant Professor, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University (2020-Present)
Postdoctoral fellow, Institute of Low Temperature Science, Hokkaido University (2017-2020)
Postdoctoral fellow, Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University (2016-2017)
Marine Scientist, DHI Water & Environment Pte Ltd, Singapore (2008-2011)
Part-time lecturer, ENSTA Bretagne (former ENSIETA), Brest, France (2005-2008)
Hydrographic data expert, SHOM (French Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service), France (2004-2008)
Hydrographic surveyor, SHOM (French Navy Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service), France (2004)
Radar operator and analyst, French Navy, France (1998-2003)

Education:

Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, Institute of Oceanography, National Taiwan University (2011-2015)
M.Sc. Environmental Engineering, ENSTA Bretagne (former ENSIETA), Brest, France (2005-2007)

Awards:

Outstanding reviewer Award by Communications earth & environment (2022)
Vei Chow Juan Best Ph.D. Thesis Award of the Taiwan Geological Society (2016)
Best graduate student's poster of the Taiwan Oceanographic Society (2013)

Research grants:

Sea ice melt and its impact on the upper ocean properties in a warming Pacific Arctic
Grant-in-aid for early-career scientists (2022-2023)

Refereed Publications:

Mensah, V., Chen, Y. C., Nomura, D., Ueno, H., Chien, H., & Ohshima, K. I. (2025). Multidecadal decline in sea ice meltwater volume and Pacific Winter Water salinity in the Bering Sea revealed by ocean observations. Progress in Oceanography, 230, 103377.
Mensah, V., Ohshima, K. I., Drucker, R., & Riser, S. (2024). Evaluation of the water mass composition in the Sea of Okhotsk and its long term change using an advanced mapping technique., Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 129(7), e2023JC020374.
Mensah, V., K. I. Ohshima (2023). A mapping methodology adapted to all polar and subpolar oceans with a stretching/shrinking constraint, Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, doi:10.1175/JTECH-D-22-0143.1. 40(10), 1241-1261.
Kokubun, N., Y. Tanabe, D. Hirano, V. Mensah, T. Tamura, S. Aoki, A. Takahashi (2021). Shoreward intrusion of oceanic surface waters alters physical and biological ocean structures on the Antarctic continental shelf during winter: Observations from instrumented seals. Limnology and Oceanography, 66(10), 3740-3753.
Nakayama Y., C. A. Greene, F. S. Paolo, V. Mensah, H. Zhang, et al. (2021): Antarctic Slope Current modulates ocean heat intrusions towards Totten Glacier.Geophysical Research Letters, 48, e2021GL094149., https://doi.org/10.1029/2021GL094149.
Mensah V., Y. Nakayama, M. Fujii, Y. Nogi, K. I. Ohshima (2021). Dense water downslope flow and AABW production in a numerical model: Sensitivity to horizontal and vertical resolution in the region off Cape Darnley polynya, Ocean Modelling, 165, 101843, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocemod.2021.101843.
Mensah V., K. I. Ohshima. (2021). Weakened overturning and tide control the properties of Oyashio Intermediate Water, a key water mass in the North Pacific. Scientific Reports, 11, 14526. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93901-6.
Mensah V., K. I. Ohshima. (2020). Variabilities of the Sea Surface Height in the Kuril Basin of the Sea of Okhotsk: Coherent Shelf-Trapped Mode and Rossby Normal Modes. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 50, 2289-2313, doi:10.1175/JPO-D19-0216.1.
Mensah V., M. Andres, M.-H. Chang, S. Jan (2020). Response of the Kuroshio east of Taiwan to mesoscale eddies and upstream variations. Journal of Oceanography, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10872-020-00544-8.
Siegelman, L., F. Roquet, V. Mensah, P. Riviere, E. Pauthenet, B. Picard, C. Guinet. (2019). Correction and accuracy of high-and low-resolution CTD data from animal-borne instruments. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 36(5), 745-760.
Mensah V., K. I. Ohshima, T. Nakanowatari, S. Riser. (2019). Seasonal changes of water mass, circulation and dynamic response in the Kuril Basin of the Sea of Okhotsk.Deep Sea Research Part I, 144, 115-131, doi:10.1016/j.dsr.2019.01.012.
Mensah, V., F. Roquet, L. Siegelman-Charbit, B. Picard, E. Pauthenet, and C. Guinet. (2018). A correction for the thermal mass-induced errors of CTD tags mounted on marine mammals. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 35, 1237-1252, https://doi.org/10.1175/JTECH-D-17-0141.1.
Chang, M.-H., Jan, S., Mensah, V., Andres, M., Rainville, L., Yang, Y. J., et al. (2018). Zonal migration and transport variations of the Kuroshio eastof Taiwan induced by eddy impingements. Deep-Sea Research Part I, 131,1-15.
Jan, S., Mensah, V., Andres, M., Chang, M.-H., & Yang, Y. J. (2017). Eddy-Kuroshio interactions: Local and remote effects. Journal of GeophysicalResearch: Oceans, 122, 9744-9764. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JC013476.
Nakanowatari, T., K. I. Ohshima, V. Mensah, Y. Mitani, K. Hattori, M. Kobayashi, F. Roquet, Y. Sakurai, H. Mitsudera, and M. Wakatsuchi. (2017). Hydrographic observations by instrumented marine mammals in the Sea of Okhotsk. Polar Sci., 13, 56-65, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polar.2017.06.001.
Andres, M., V. Mensah, S. Jan, M.-H. Chang, Y.-J. Yang, C.M. Lee, B. Ma, T.B. Sanford. (2017). Downstream evolution of the Kuroshio's time varying transport and velocity structure, Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, 122, doi:10.1002/2016JC012519.
Mensah, V., M. Andres, R-C. Lien, B. Ma, C. Lee. (2016). Combining observations from multiple platforms across the Kuroshio northeast of Luzon: a highlight on PIESs data, J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol., 33, 2185-2203, doi: 10.1175/JTECH-D-16-0095.1.
Mensah, V., S. Jan, M-H. Chang, Y-J. Yang. (2015). Intraseasonal to Seasonal Variability of the Intermediate Water along the Kuroshio path east of Taiwan, J. Geophys. Res. Ocean, 120, 5473-5489, http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ 2015JC010768.
Jan, S., Y. J. Yang, J. Wang, V. Mensah, T.-H. Kuo, M.-D. Chiou, C.-S. Chern, M.-H. Chang, and H. Chien. (2015).: Large variability of the Kuroshio at 23.75 N east of Taiwan. J. Geophys. Res. Oceans, 120, 1825-1840, doi:10.1002/2014JC010614. (Note: AGU's research spotlight).
Tsai, C.-J., M. Andres, S. Jan, V. Mensah, T. B. Sanford, R-C. Lien, and C. M. Lee. (2015). Eddy-Kuroshio interaction processes revealed by mooring observations off Taiwan and Luzon. Geophys. Res. Lett, 42, 8098-8105, doi:10.1002/2015GL065814.
Lien, R-C., B. Ma, C. Lee, T. B. Sanford, V. Mensah, L. R. Centurioni, B. D. Cornuelle, G. Gopalakrishnan, J. L. McClean, A. L. Gordon, M-H. Chang, S. R. Jayne, Y-J. Yang. (2015). The Kuroshio and Luzon Undercurrent East of Luzon Island, Oceanography, 28(4):54-63, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2015.81.
Andres, M., S. Jan, T. B. Sanford, V. Mensah, L. R. Centurioni, J. W. Book. (2015). Mean Structure and Variability of the Kuroshio from Northeastern Taiwan to Southwestern Japan, Oceanography, 28(4):84-95, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2015.84.
Yang Y. J., S. Jan, M.-H. Chang , J. Wang, V. Mensah, T.-H. Kuo, C.-J. Tsai, C.-Y. Lee, M. Andres, L. R. Centurioni, Y.-H. Tseng, W.-D. Liang, and J.-W. Lai. (2015). Mean Structure and fluctuation of the Kuroshio east of Taiwan from in-situ and remote observations, Oceanography, 28(4):64-73, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2015.82.
Mensah, V., S. Jan, M-D. Chiou, T-H. Kuo, R-C Lien. (2014). Evolution of the Kuroshio Tropical Water from the Luzon Strait to the east of Taiwan, Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, Vol. 86, p 68-81, ISSN 0967-0637,http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2014.01.005.
Mensah, V., M. Le Menn, Y. Morel. (2009). Thermal Mass Correction for the Evaluation of Salinity. J. Atmos. Oceanic. Technol., 26, 665-672.
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