Kathleen Donohue

Kathleen Donohue is a Professor at the Graduate School of Oceanography (University of Rhode Island). As an observational physical oceanographer, her research focuses on large-scale and mesoscale ocean circulation dynamics through in situ and remotely sensed observations, numerical models, and climate studies. She leads field programs in the Gulf of Mexico, Drake Passage, and the Gulf Stream region, with a particular emphasis on understanding ocean current variability and its climate implications.

• Education: Ph.D. in Oceanography (University of Rhode Island, 1996), B.S. in Applied Mathematics (Brown University, 1988)

Her research spans three major ocean current systems: Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) studies in Drake Passage, Loop Current dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico, and the Oleander Project for Gulf Stream monitoring. ACC research investigates climate sensitivity through wind-driven current variability and heat exchange mechanisms. Gulf of Mexico studies focus on Loop Current eddy formation, baroclinic instability, and applications for oil-spill risk/hurricane prediction. The Oleander Project uses container-ship-based ADCP measurements to track upper-ocean velocity and heat fluxes across four oceanographic regions.

Recent research trends include multi-year field programs combining in situ measurements with satellite data, climate modeling of Southern Ocean dynamics, and oceanographic instrumentation validation in extreme currents. She also leads the SURFO program for undergraduate oceanography education and co-directs MPOWIR mentorship initiatives.