Magata Mangatane at University Of Cape Town, South Africa
Magata Jesaya Mangatane is a final-year PhD candidate in Ocean and Atmosphere Science at the University of Cape Town, specializing in satellite remote sensing and numerical ocean modeling. With a strong foundation in physical oceanography, he has built technical proficiency in Python, MATLAB, Fortran, and shell scripting, leveraging high-performance computing systems to investigate air-sea-ice interactions in the Southern Ocean. Jesaya is passionate about climate and ocean research and has experience in fieldwork, teaching, and collaborative international research.
Professional Profile:
Orcid
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Education Background
Jesaya earned his BSc in Ocean and Atmosphere Science and Archaeology from the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 2019, followed by a BSc Honours in Ocean and Atmosphere Science in 2020, awarded with first-class honors and a departmental medal. He began his MSc by dissertation at UCT in 2021, which was upgraded to a PhD in 2022. His current research focuses on the role of sea-ice type and thickness in vertical exchanges in the Southern Ocean, with a provisional submission date of December 2025.
Jesaya has served as a lecturer and practical demonstrator at UCT, contributing to courses such as SEA3004F (Ocean and Atmosphere Dynamics), where he teaches the application of MATLAB and Python for analyzing observational and model data. He has also held leadership roles including representing Early Career Researchers in the Marine and Antarctic Research center for innovation and sustainability (MARiS), and serving on the UCT Oceanography postgraduate committee. His international engagements include advanced NEMO modeling training and collaborative research with the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change in Italy.
Research Focus
His research interests include sea-ice modeling, satellite altimetry, high-resolution ocean circulation models, air-sea interactions, and climate variability in polar regions. Jesaya is particularly focused on improving the understanding of ocean-ice-atmosphere coupling using both observational data and model simulations, with an emphasis on the Southern Ocean.
Author Metrics:
Jesaya is the first author of a peer-reviewed publication in Remote Sensing titled “Intercomparison of Antarctic Sea-Ice Thickness Estimates from Satellite Altimetry and Assessment over the 2019 Data-Rich Year” (2025). He has also presented his work at several international conferences, including ICSHMO 2025 and the CRiceS annual meeting, showcasing his comparative analyses of satellite and model-derived sea-ice data.
Awards and Honors:
Jesaya was awarded first-class honors and the class medal for his BSc Honours in Oceanography in 2021. He was also named to the University of Cape Town Dean’s Merit List in 2019 for consistent academic excellence. These accolades reflect his dedication to academic and research excellence throughout his studies.
Publication Top Notes
1. Intercomparison of Antarctic Sea-Ice Thickness Estimates from Satellite Altimetry and Assessment over the 2019 Data-Rich Year
- Authors: MJ Mangatane, M Vichi
- Journal: Remote Sensing
- Volume/Page: 1180
- Year: 2025
- DOI/Link: [Provide DOI or journal link if available]
- Summary: This study compares Antarctic sea-ice thickness estimates derived from IceSat-2 and CryoSat-2 satellite altimetry during the data-rich year of 2019. The intercomparison provides insights into spatial-temporal variations and assesses the consistency and uncertainties in the satellite-derived estimates.
2. Antarctic Sea-Ice Thickness from IceSat-2 and CryoSat-2 Satellites
- Authors: M Mangatane, M Vichi
- Conference/Programme: South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP)
- Year: 2024
- Event Type: Poster/Oral Presentation / Technical Report (specify if known)
- Summary: This work presents a comprehensive dataset and analysis of Antarctic sea-ice thickness derived from the IceSat-2 and CryoSat-2 satellites under SANAP. The study aims to enhance regional understanding of polar sea-ice behavior using multi-mission satellite synergy.
Conclusion
Magata Jesaya Mangatane exemplifies the qualities of an emerging scientific leader in the field of satellite remote sensing and oceanography. His research is not only technically robust and methodologically innovative but also addresses key questions in climate science and polar processes. Jesaya’s dedication, scholarly achievements, and growing influence in the field make him a compelling and deserving candidate for the Research for Young Researcher Award.
With continued growth in publication, communication, and interdisciplinary outreach, he is well-positioned to become a pivotal figure in advancing satellite-based environmental research in the years to come.