P. Michael Kosro

P. Michael (Mike) Kosro is a Professor at Oregon State University, specializing in coastal oceanography and physical oceanography. His work focuses on shelf/deep-sea exchange processes, eastern boundary currents, and the application of remote sensing and ocean acoustics to study ocean circulation. He holds a BA in Physics from the University of California, Santa Cruz (1973) and a PhD in Physical Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1985).

• Education: BA, UC Santa Cruz (Physics, 1973); PhD, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1985)

His research interests include coastal eddies, poleward undercurrents, and the use of HF radar for surface current mapping. He has contributed to major projects such as GLOBEC (Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics) and COAST (Coastal Ocean Advances in Shelf Transport). His work integrates observational data with numerical models to understand coastal circulation dynamics and their environmental impacts.

Publications span over 40 years, addressing topics like mesoscale currents, El Niño effects, and the role of physical oceanographic processes in species distribution (e.g., invasive European green crab). His recent work emphasizes long-term data integration and interdisciplinary collaboration in ocean observing systems.

Dr. Kosro’s research also explores the interplay between oceanography and marine ecosystems, including carbon transport and biogeochemical cycles. He collaborates with international teams to advance regional ocean observing networks, as seen in studies of the Northeast Pacific.