Joseph Henry Lacasce

Joseph Henry Lacasce is a Professor of Oceanography and Head of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Oslo. He holds adjunct roles at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution and has extensive experience in oceanography and atmospheric dynamics. His research focuses on large-scale ocean and atmospheric dynamics, turbulence, and Lagrangian statistics.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Physical Oceanography, MIT (1996)
• M.A. in Physics, Johns Hopkins University (1988)
• A.B. in Physics, Bowdoin College (1986, summa cum laude)

Research Interests: His work explores the interplay between ocean currents, atmospheric processes, and topography. Key areas include eddy dynamics, baroclinic instability, and wind-driven circulation patterns. Recent studies address topics like Norwegian Sea circulation, Arctic Mediterranean dynamics, and the impact of climate change on ocean overturning systems.

Teaching: He instructs courses such as GEO2300 (Physical Processes in Geosciences), GEO4901 (Atmosphere-Ocean Dynamics), and GEO4924 (Turbulence in Atmosphere and Ocean).

Research Contributions: Over 100 peer-reviewed articles analyze oceanic and atmospheric phenomena. Notable recent work includes studies on mesoscale eddy mixing suppression, vortex behavior over bathymetry, and the weakening Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation under extreme climate scenarios.

Labs & Projects: Involved in initiatives like the Nansen Legacy and ProVoLo, focusing on Arctic and Nordic Seas dynamics. Collaborates on computational science training and rough ocean dynamics research.