Tracy Mandel

Tracy Mandel serves as Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering and Ocean Engineering at the University of New Hampshire, joining the faculty in January 2020 after completing her Ph.D. at Stanford University and postdoctoral work at UC Merced. Her research centers on environmental fluid mechanics at ocean margins, with emphasis on turbulent flows through coastal ecosystems and meltwater plume dynamics from glaciers.

Her educational background includes a B.S. from Cornell University, M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford University. Research interests focus on ecohydraulics—the physics of water interactions with coastal ecosystems—with specific attention to flow-vegetation dynamics in seagrass meadows, salt marshes, and dunes using experimental and field methodologies.

Recent publications (2019-2024) reveal a strong experimental focus in fluid mechanics, spanning optical diagnostics development, stratified flow phenomena, and ecohydraulic applications. Work consistently bridges fundamental fluid dynamics with coastal engineering challenges, particularly in vegetated environments and free-surface flows.

Key recognition includes an NSF CAREER Award for investigating flow-mediated marine disease transmission in benthic ecosystems.

• NSF CAREER Award

Prof. Mandel actively mentors graduate students through the Ocean Hydrodynamics Lab, guiding M.S. and Ph.D. candidates in Mechanical and Ocean Engineering programs. Her research is supported by competitive grants including the NSF CAREER award, with emphasis on experimental approaches using UNH's Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory facilities and New Hampshire coastal field sites.

The Ocean Hydrodynamics Lab operates advanced experimental infrastructure including the Marine Ecohydraulics Flume, conducting research on coastal flow-vegetation interactions to inform engineering decisions for ecosystem protection and restoration.