Bio

Derek Fong's research in environmental and geophysical fluid dynamics focuses on understanding the fundamental transport and mixing processes in the rivers, estuaries and the coastal ocean. He employs different methods for studying such fluid processes including laboratory experiments, field experiments, and numerical modeling. His research projects include studying lateral dispersion, in stratified coastal flows, the fate and transport of freshwater in river plumes, advanced hydrodynamic measurement techniques, coherent structures in nearshore flows, bio-physical interactions in stratified lakes, fate of contaminated sediments, and secondary circulation and mixing in curved channels.

Derek teaches a variety of classes at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Some of the classes he has offered include Mechanics of Fluids; Rivers, Streams and Canals; Transport and Mixing in Surface Waters; Introduction to Physical Oceanography; Mechanics of Stratified Fluids; Dynamics of Lakes and Reservoirs; Science and Engineering Problem Solving using Matlab; the Future and Science of Water; Hydrodynamics and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics.

Prior to coming to Stanford, Derek spent five years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution studying the dynamics of freshwater plumes for his doctoral thesis. He has also served as a senior lecturer at the University of Washington, Friday Harbor Laboratories in Friday Harbor, Washington.

Academic Appointments

  • Sr Research Engineer, Civil and Environmental Engineering

Honors & Awards

  • SSP Teaching Award, Singapore-Stanford Partnership (2007)
  • Pritchard Award, Coastal Estuarinel Research Federation (2012)

Professional Education

  • B.S., Stanford University, Civil Engineering, with distinction (1991)
  • M.S., Stanford University, Water Resources Engineering (1992)
  • Ph D., MIT/WHOI Joint Program, Physical Oceanography (1998)

Contact

  • Academic
    dfong@stanford.edu
    University - Staff Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering Position: Senior Research Engineer
    • Yang & Yamazaki Environment and Energy Building MC4020
    • 473 Via Ortega, Rm 399
    • Stanford,  California  94305 
    (650) 725-9720 (fax)
    University - Affiliate Department: Civil and Environmental Engineering (650) 725-9720 (fax)

Additional Info

2024-25 Courses

All Publications

  • Characterization of the biological, physical, and chemical properties of a toxic thin layer in a temperate marine system MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES McManus, M. A., Greer, A. T., Timmerman, A. H., Sevadjian, J. C., Woodson, C., Cowen, R., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S., Cheriton, O. M. 2021; 678: 17-35

    View details for DOI 10.3354/meps13879

    View details for Web of Science ID 000720333500002

  • Circulation patterns in a shallow tropical reservoir: Observations and modeling JOURNAL OF HYDRO-ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH Yang, P., Fong, D. A., Lo, E. M., Monismith, S. G. 2019; 27: 75–86

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jher.2019.09.002

    View details for Web of Science ID 000500382200006

  • Vertical mixing in a shallow tropical reservoir LIMNOLOGY Yang, P., Fong, D. A., Lo, E., Monismith, S. G. 2019; 20 (3): 279–96

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s10201-019-00577-z

    View details for Web of Science ID 000475646700004

  • Modeling Sedimentation Dynamics of Sediment-Laden River Intrusions in a Rotationally-Influenced, Stratified Lake WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH Scheu, K. R., Fong, D., Monismith, S. G., Fringer, O. B. 2018; 54 (6): 4084–4107

    View details for DOI 10.1029/2017WR021533

    View details for Web of Science ID 000440309900018

  • One-Dimensional Particle Tracking with Streamline Preserving Junctions for Flows in Channel Networks JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING Sridharan, V. K., Monismith, S. G., Fong, D. A., Hench, J. L. 2018; 144 (2)

    View details for DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001399

    View details for Web of Science ID 000418189700007

  • Modeling Intrajunction Dispersion at a Well-Mixed Tidal River Junction JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING Wolfram, P. J., Fringer, O. B., Monsen, N. E., Gleichauf, K. T., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G. 2016; 142 (8)

    View details for DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)HY.1943-7900.0001108

    View details for Web of Science ID 000381055400001

  • Observations of vertical eddy diffusivities in a shallow tropical reservoir JOURNAL OF HYDRO-ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH Yang, P., Xing, Z., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G., Tan, K. M., Lo, E. Y. 2015; 9 (3): 441-451

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jher.2014.09.004

    View details for Web of Science ID 000361772900011

  • Sediment transport dynamics near a river inflow in a large alpine lake LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY Scheu, K. R., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G., Fringer, O. B. 2015; 60 (4): 1195-1211

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lno.10089

    View details for Web of Science ID 000357894500008

  • Scale-Dependent Dispersion within the Stratified Interior on the Shelf of Northern Monterey Bay JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY Moniz, R. J., Fong, D. A., Woodson, C. B., Willis, S. K., Stacey, M. T., Monismith, S. G. 2014; 44 (4): 1049-1064

    View details for DOI 10.1175/JPO-D-12-0229.1

    View details for Web of Science ID 000334128200001

  • Using Depth-Normalized Coordinates to Examine Mass Transport Residual Circulation in Estuaries with Large Tidal Amplitude Relative to the Mean Depth JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY Giddings, S. N., Monismith, S. G., Fong, D. A., Stacey, M. T. 2014; 44 (1): 128-148

    View details for DOI 10.1175/JPO-D-12-0201.1

    View details for Web of Science ID 000335802100015

  • Thermal structure and variability of a shallow tropical reservoir LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY Xing, Z., Fong, D. A., Lo, E. Y., Monismith, S. G. 2014; 59 (1): 115-128

    View details for DOI 10.4319/lo.2014.59.01.0115

    View details for Web of Science ID 000339901800010

  • Water and heat budgets of a shallow tropical reservoir WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH Xing, Z., Fong, D. A., Tan, K. M., Lo, E. Y., Monismith, S. G. 2012; 48

    View details for DOI 10.1029/2011WR011314

    View details for Web of Science ID 000306000600003

  • Frontogenesis and Frontal Progression of a Trapping-Generated Estuarine Convergence Front and Its Influence on Mixing and Stratification ESTUARIES AND COASTS Giddings, S. N., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G., Chickadel, C. C., Edwards, K. A., Plant, W. J., Wang, B., Fringer, O. B., Horner-Devine, A. R., Jessup, A. T. 2012; 35 (2): 665-681

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s12237-011-9453-z

    View details for Web of Science ID 000300771900023

  • Role of straining and advection in the intratidal evolution of stratification, vertical mixing, and longitudinal dispersion of a shallow, macrotidal, salt wedge estuary JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS Giddings, S. N., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G. 2011; 116

    View details for DOI 10.1029/2010JC006482

    View details for Web of Science ID 000288089400001

  • Modeling and understanding turbulent mixing in a macrotidal salt wedge estuary JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS Wang, B., Giddings, S. N., Fringer, O. B., Gross, E. S., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G. 2011; 116

    View details for DOI 10.1029/2010JC006135

    View details for Web of Science ID 000287810400001

  • Remotely sensed river surface features compared with modeling and in situ measurements JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS Plant, W. J., Branch, R., Chatham, G., Chickadel, C. C., Hayes, K., Hayworth, B., Horner-Devine, A., Jessup, A., Fong, D. A., Fringer, O. B., Giddings, S. N., Monismith, S., Wang, B. 2009; 114

    View details for DOI 10.1029/2009JC005440

    View details for Web of Science ID 000271581400004

  • Turbulent Stresses and Secondary Currents in a Tidal-Forced Channel with Significant Curvature and Asymmetric Bed Forms JOURNAL OF HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING-ASCE Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G., Stacey, M. T., Burau, J. R. 2009; 135 (3): 198-208

    View details for DOI 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9429(2009)135:3(198)

    View details for Web of Science ID 000263403000005

  • Thermal Variability in a Tidal River ESTUARIES AND COASTS Monismith, S. G., Hench, J. L., Fong, D. A., Nidzieko, N. J., Fleenor, W. E., Doyle, L. P., Schladow, S. G. 2009; 32 (1): 100-110

    View details for DOI 10.1007/s12237-008-9109-9

    View details for Web of Science ID 000262504600008

  • High-resolution simulations of a macrotidal estuary using SUNTANS OCEAN MODELLING Wang, B., Fringer, O. B., Giddings, S. N., Fong, D. A. 2009; 28 (1-3): 167-192

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ocemod.2008.08.008

    View details for Web of Science ID 000265400800017

  • High-resolution simulations of a macrotidal estuary using SUNTANS OCEAN MODELLING Wang, B., Fringer, O. B., Giddings, S. N., Fong, D. A. 2009; 26 (1-2): 60-85

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ocemod.2008.08.006

    View details for Web of Science ID 000262421500003

  • Evidence for the inherent unsteadiness of a river plume: Satellite observations of the Niagara River discharge LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY Horner-Devine, A. R., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G. 2008; 53 (6): 2731-2737

    View details for Web of Science ID 000261355500034

  • Plume dispersion on a fringing coral reef system LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY Jones, N. L., Lowe, R. J., Pawlak, G., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G. 2008; 53 (5): 2273-2286

    View details for Web of Science ID 000261355400017

  • Characterizing sources of groundwater to a tropical coastal lagoon in a karstic area using radium isotopes and water chemistry MARINE CHEMISTRY Young, M. B., Gonneea, M. E., Fong, D. A., Moore, W. S., Herrera-Silveira, J., Paytan, A. 2008; 109 (3-4): 377-394

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.marchem.2007.07.010

    View details for Web of Science ID 000256157700015

  • Comparison of Reynolds stress estimates derived from standard and fast-ping ADCPs JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY Nidzieko, N. J., Fong, D. A., Hench, J. L. 2006; 23 (6): 854-861

    View details for Web of Science ID 000238785400009

  • Laboratory experiments simulating a coastal river inflow JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS Horner-Devine, A. R., Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G., Maxworthy, T. 2006; 555: 203-232

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S0022112006008937

    View details for Web of Science ID 000238236200010

  • Evaluation of AUV-based ADCP measurements LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS Fong, D. A., Jones, N. L. 2006; 4: 58-67

    View details for DOI 10.4319/lom.2006.4.58

    View details for Web of Science ID 000236714400002

  • Salvaging velocity measurements corrupted by nearby instruments LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY-METHODS Palmarsson, S. O., Schladow, S. G., Fong, D. A. 2005; 3: 263-274

    View details for Web of Science ID 000236036100001

  • The freshwater transport and dynamics of the western Maine coastal current CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH Geyer, W. R., Signell, R. P., Fong, D. A., Wang, J., Anderson, D. M., Keafer, B. A. 2004; 24 (12): 1339-1357

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.csr.2004.04.001

    View details for Web of Science ID 000223037100005

  • Evaluation of the accuracy of a ship-mounted, bottom-tracking ADCP in a near-shore coastal flow JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY Fong, D. A., Monismith, S. G. 2004; 21 (7): 1121-1128

    View details for Web of Science ID 000222458300014

  • A note on the potential transport of scalars and organisms by surface waves LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY Monismith, S. G. 2004; 49 (4): 1214-1217

    View details for Web of Science ID 000224979700033

  • Dispersal scaling from the world's rivers GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS Warrick, J. A., Fong, D. A. 2004; 31 (4)

    View details for DOI 10.1029/2003GL019114

    View details for Web of Science ID 000189373000005

  • Horizontal dispersion of a near-bed coastal plume JOURNAL OF FLUID MECHANICS Fong, D. A., Stacey, M. T. 2003; 489: 239-267

    View details for DOI 10.1017/S002211200300510X

    View details for Web of Science ID 000185258100011

  • The alongshore transport of freshwater in a surface-trapped river plume JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY Fong, D. A., Geyer, W. R. 2002; 32 (3): 957-972

    View details for Web of Science ID 000174278600013

  • Response of a river plume during an upwelling favorable wind event JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS Fong, D. A., Geyer, W. R. 2001; 106 (C1): 1067-1084

    View details for Web of Science ID 000166488100015

  • The wind-forced response on a buoyant coastal current: Observations of the western Gulf of Maine plume Fong, D. A., Geyer, W. R., Signell, R. P. ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV. 1997: 69-81

    View details for DOI 10.1016/S0924-7963(96)00089-9

    View details for Web of Science ID A1997YB09500006

  • A simple model of mixing in stratified tidal flows JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS Monismith, S. G., Fong, D. A. 1996; 101 (C12): 28583-28595

    View details for Web of Science ID A1996VY90200019

  • A simple model of mixing in stratified tidal flows Journal of Geophysical Research Monismith, S. G., Fong, D. A. 1996; 101: 28583-28597
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3828-7989