Dr. Donglai Gong

Associate Professor

Dr. Gong is an observational physical oceanographer at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science - William & Mary (VIMS-W&M). He studies dynamical interactions between the coastal and open ocean at mid-latitude and polar regions. Dr. Gong received his Ph.D. from Rutgers University in 2010 and did his postdoc at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution prior to joining the faculty at VIMS-W&M. Dr. Gong uses autonomous underwater vehicles and aerial drones to study coastal ocean dynamics and climate in the southern Mid-Atlantic Bight and the Arctic Ocean. He has sailed into the Northwest Passage and deployed glider in the Beaufort Sea by Mackenzie Canyon. Dr. Gong is currently focused on developing sustainable ocean exploration through the design and application of advanced sailing vessels and advanced autonomous systems.