Johna Rudzin

Dr. Johna Rudzin is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University with a joint affiliation with the Northern Gulf Institute. Her expertise lies in tropical cyclone-ocean interaction, atmospheric and oceanic boundary layer dynamics, and air-sea exchange processes. She utilizes a combination of in situ observations, satellite data, and numerical modeling to advance understanding of hurricane intensity change mechanisms.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography, University of Miami, 2012-2018
• B.S. in Meteorology, The Florida State University, 2008-2012

Dr. Rudzin's research focuses on the complex interactions between tropical cyclones and the ocean, particularly how upper ocean processes influence hurricane intensity change. Her work examines atmospheric and oceanic boundary layer dynamics, the effects of salinity stratification on air-sea fluxes, and the role of surface ocean waves in tropical cyclone environments. She employs a holistic approach that bridges meteorology and oceanography to better understand the fully coupled air-sea system during hurricanes. Her research has important implications for improving hurricane intensity forecasting.

Dr. Rudzin's publication record demonstrates a consistent focus on air-sea interactions in tropical cyclones, with recent work expanding into coupled modeling, wave processes, and the impacts of oceanic features like freshwater barrier layers on hurricane intensity. Her research combines observational analysis with numerical modeling approaches, addressing fundamental questions about momentum and heat exchange across the air-sea interface during extreme wind conditions.

Scientific Awards:

• 2023 MSU College of Arts and Sciences Research Award for the Natural and Physical Sciences
• 2022 Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program Awardee
• 2018 Barrett Prize for Best Dissertation on Latin American and Caribbean Topics from the University of Miami Institute for Advanced Study of the Americas

Dr. Rudzin actively mentors graduate students, currently advising four students working on tropical cyclone-ocean interaction topics. She has secured competitive research funding, including the Office of Naval Research Young Investigator award. Her service includes membership on the AMS Air-Sea Interaction Committee and participation in NOAA working groups focused on ocean observations during extreme events. She is currently seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on coupled tropical ocean-atmospheric-wave processes.

Dr. Rudzin is an active member of research teams including the Ocean Observations Initiative Early Career Scientist Working Group and the NOAA GOMO Extreme Event Ocean Observations Task Team. Her collaborative approach bridges meteorological and oceanographic communities to address critical questions in tropical cyclone research.