PhD defence by Philip Alexander Hedlund Smith

On Thursday 14 August 2025 at 13:00, Philip Alexander Hedlund Smith from DTU Aqua will defend his PhD thesis “AI in a changing ocean. Big data analytics for modeling physical and biogeochemical ocean dynamics”.

You can follow the defence at DTU, Matematiktorvet, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, building 306, auditorium 34 or online on Zoom via this link 

Philip Alexander Hedlund Smith’s thesis explores how artificial intelligence can help turn ocean data, from satellites, sensors, and computer models into insight. The ocean is pivotal to life on Earth, shaping climate, supporting ecosystems, and providing critical resources, but many of its processes remain hidden beneath the surface, difficult to observe and understand, especially as climate change accelerates. 

By using deep learning, Philip Alexander Hedlund Smith’s research reconstructs what is happening below the ocean surface and forecasts changes in key ecosystem indicators like phytoplankton. His research also looks at which environmental factors matter most, and how those influences may shift in the future. Together, the results show how AI can support a deeper understanding of the ocean, helping scientists and decision makers respond more effectively to a changing planet.

Examiners

• Professor Andre W. Visser, DTU Aqua (chair)
• Professor Hans Burchard, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Germany
• Professor Markus Jochum, Niels Bohr Institute, Denmark

Chair at the defence

• Professor Martin Lindegren, DTU Aqua  

Supervisors

• Main supervisor: Professor Patrizio Mariani, DTU Aqua
• Co-supervisor: Senior Researcher Asbjørn Christensen, DTU Aqua
• Co-supervisor: Professor Emeritus Michael Arthur St John, DTU Aqua

Learn more

A copy of the thesis is available for reading at DTU Aqua. Please contact PhD Coordinator Susan Zumbach Johannesen, szjo@aqua.dtu.dk or Philip Alexander Hedlund Smith, pahsm@aqua.dtu.dk