The physical oceanography group at MLML, under the direction of Dr. Erika McPhee-Shaw, focuses primarily on observational studies of dynamics of the coastal ocean and continental margin. Dr. McPhee-Shaw's research specialties include interaction between internal tides and topography, turbulent mixing and boundary layers, sediment and nutrient transport in the coastal environment, and physical forcing of coastal ecosystem (Dr. McPhee-Shaw). Adjunct professor Dr. Larry Breaker studies the application of remote forcing for examining fronts and other coastal features, with particular focus on the Monterey Bay region, and uses novel analysis techniques for investigating climate change in long time series.

Bill Watson, Craig Hunter, Stephanie Flora, Dr. Erika McPhee-Shaw, Dr. Olivia Cheriton

Grad students: Katie Morrice, Tanya Novak, Shandy Buckley, Ashley Booth, Melinda Nakagawa

A new theory about waves and near-coast phytoplankton blooms (pdf). McPhee-Shaw, E. E. Nielsen,K.J.  Largier, J. L. and B. A. Menge, "Nearshore chlorophyll-a events and wave-driven transport"  in Geophysical Research Letters vol 38, L02604. January 2011. 

LISTEN  to MLML's Dr. McPhee-Shaw and Dr. Ferry-Graham wax poetic about  waves, coastal dynamics, fish physiology and local marine issues on KUSP radio! (Santa Cruz NPR, 'Talk of the Bay', 09 January 2008) (an m3u file that will play on itunes and other audio programs)

Congratulations to graduate student Ashley Booth, who won the best graduate student poster award at the SIMON Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Currents Symposium at CSUMB April 18, 2010, for her work entitled: "Naturally occurring coastal hypoxia: A decade of oxygen in the Monterey Bay" authors: A. Booth, E. McPhee-Shaw, M. Denny, R. Phillips, P. Chua, S. Bograd and W. Gilly.

Physical Oceanography Temporary File Access