Erin Hackett

Dr. Erin Hackett is a Professor in the Department of Marine Science at Coastal Carolina University, where she conducts research at the intersection of oceanography, atmospheric science, and electromagnetic wave propagation. Her work focuses on understanding complex interactions between the ocean and atmosphere with particular applications to radar systems operating in coastal environments.

Her educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography from the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University
• M.C.E. in Civil Engineering from Johns Hopkins University
• B.S. in Physics from Roanoke College

Dr. Hackett's research spans coastal ocean physical processes, ocean surface waves, turbulent boundary layers, and radar remote sensing. She has developed significant expertise in electromagnetic wave propagation in the marine environment and the marine atmospheric boundary layer. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges fundamental oceanographic processes with practical engineering applications, particularly in how atmospheric conditions affect radar performance over water. This work has important implications for both scientific understanding and operational systems used in coastal monitoring and defense applications.

Her recent publications (2019-2024) reveal a consistent research trajectory focused on evaporation ducts, atmospheric refractivity, and radar propagation. She has increasingly integrated meteorological perspectives with electromagnetic wave studies, demonstrating how near-surface thermodynamics influences evaporation duct formation. Her work also shows development of novel measurement systems for atmospheric characterization, reflecting her commitment to advancing both theoretical understanding and practical measurement methodologies in her field.

Dr. Hackett actively mentors graduate students, currently supervising three M.S. students (Alexis Vaughan, Caleb Sease, and Jensine Coggin) and one Ph.D. student (Daniel Greenway). She has successfully guided multiple students to completion, including Ph.D. graduates Mathew Stanek and Douglas Pastore in 2023. Her teaching portfolio includes Environmental Fluids Lab, Essentials of Physics II, Statics, Coastal Marine and Wetland Processes, and Physical Oceanography, demonstrating her commitment to both fundamental physics education and specialized marine science instruction.