Eric Chassignet

Eric Chassignet is a Distinguished Professor of Oceanography and Director of the Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies (COAPS) at Florida State University. His research focuses on ocean-climate interactions, western boundary currents, and operational ocean prediction systems. He leads the HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM) initiative and co-chairs OceanPredict, advancing global ocean forecasting systems. As co-director of the Florida Climate Institute (FCI), he investigates climate variability impacts in Florida. Chassignet coordinates multi-institutional projects like the Consortium for Simulation of Oil-Microbial Interactions in the Ocean (CSOMIO), addressing oil transport modeling. He collaborates with NOAA and the U.S. Navy, developing real-time ocean prediction tools. His work emphasizes interdisciplinary research to enhance societal resilience to climate change.

His research interests include: ocean circulation dynamics, climate variability, eddy-resolving models, and the application of numerical models to environmental challenges like oil spill fate. He has co-edited 'Florida's Climate' and contributed to books on operational oceanography. Chassignet’s leadership in international collaborations ensures his models support naval operations, climate studies, and disaster response.

Key grants include multi-million dollar programs funded by NOAA and the Department of Defense. His innovations in hybrid coordinate ocean modeling improve coastal and global circulation predictions. Chassignet’s teams leverage machine learning and satellite data for enhanced forecasting accuracy and environmental monitoring.