Luis Sorinas Morales, PhD in marine science
Hurricanes have always been on the forefront of Luis Sorinas Morales’ mind. Growing up in Cuba, Sorinas earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Havana, where he studied meteorology and became increasingly fascinated by the ocean and its complexities. So, when Sorinas discovered the work of the Ocean Circulation Lab at the USF College of Marine Science, he knew it was where he wanted to continue his education.
Combining his background in meteorology with physical oceanography, Sorinas worked with data from buoys and moorings stationed in the Gulf to help improve our understanding of how hurricanes gain strength.
IMAGE ABOVE: Sorinas used data from buoys and moorings for his research and spent lots of time on the water.
Sorinas, who graduates in Summer 2025, studies heat fluxes, or how the ocean gains and loses heat over time. His work helps forecasters make more accurate predictions about hurricanes and benefits residents throughout the Gulf region who are impacted by these storms.
“If we look at how the heat is transferred from the surface of the ocean to the air, we can better understand the mechanisms that are driving rapid intensification of hurricanes,” Sorinas said. “This background knowledge can improve models and our understanding of hurricanes.”
As a doctoral student at the College of Marine Science, Sorinas took full advantage of opportunities to advance his career, from joining research cruises in the Gulf to international conferences. He says USF supported his growth as a student and scientist.
“I wore many hats, and this made me very adaptable. I became experienced in everything from writing code to scientific scuba diving to deploying buoys on research vessels. I also got much better at communicating my science and was even the subject of a documentary developed by Telemundo,” said Sorinas.
Sorinas received the Von Rosenstiel Endowed Fellowship in 2017, which is given to top-ranking students entering the College of Marine Science. He also received the SECOORA Vembu Subramanian Ocean Scholars Award in 2022.
His favorite memories include serving as vice president on the student government, going out on research cruises, and bonding with fellow students during the first-year courses.
Sorinas plans to continue working in the field, and currently serves as a contractor for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, developing an atlas of extreme precipitation values across the United States.