Lars Umlauf

Lars Umlauf is a Senior Researcher at the Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research (IOW) in Warnemünde, Germany, and a Privatdozent (Lecturer) at Rostock University. He leads the "Turbulence and Small-Scale Processes" research group at IOW and serves as an editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research. His work focuses on physical oceanography with emphasis on turbulence, mixing processes, and small- to meso-scale dynamics in marine environments, particularly in the Baltic Sea.

Dr. Umlauf's educational background includes:

• 1991-1997: Department of Mechanics / Mechanical Engineering at TU Darmstadt (Germany) and UC Berkeley (USA)
• 1997-2001: PhD at TU Darmstadt (Germany)
• 2001-2003: Post-Doc at Ecole Polytechnique Fédéral de Lausanne (EPFL, Switzerland)
• 2013: Habilitation at Rostock University

His research interests center on turbulence, mixing, and small- to meso-scale processes in the ocean. Dr. Umlauf investigates small-scale processes near surface-layer fronts, atmosphere-ocean feedbacks induced by diurnal warm layers and rain layers, the dynamics of rotating bottom gravity currents, internal-wave mixing, and boundary mixing processes in stratified basins. He also collaborates with colleagues from other disciplines to understand how small-scale physical processes affect biogeochemical interactions, particularly in regions with large redox gradients. A special interest of his is the development of marine turbulence models, including contributions to the public domain turbulence toolbox GOTM (www.gotm.net).

Dr. Umlauf's recent publications reveal a consistent focus on turbulence and mixing processes in stratified marine environments, particularly in the Baltic Sea. His work spans observational, theoretical, and numerical approaches to understanding small-scale ocean dynamics. A significant portion of his recent research examines diurnal warm layers, boundary mixing, and the role of turbulence in biogeochemical processes. His collaborative work extends across multiple institutions and countries, reflecting the international nature of oceanographic research.

Among his recognitions:

• Young Scientist Outstanding Poster Award at EGU General Assembly 2010

Dr. Umlauf actively contributes to the scientific community through editorial work, conference organization, and collaborative research projects. He has been involved in numerous international research collaborations and has served as a guest scientist at institutions including Oregon State University and the University of Victoria. His work often bridges the gap between physical oceanography and other marine science disciplines, particularly in understanding how physical processes influence biogeochemical cycles.

At the Leibniz-Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Dr. Umlauf leads the "Turbulence and Small-Scale Processes" research group, which focuses on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of ocean mixing and their implications for larger-scale ocean dynamics and biogeochemical processes. The group employs a combination of observational, theoretical, and numerical approaches to tackle questions related to turbulence and mixing in marine environments.