Merrick Haller

Merrick Haller is a Professor in the School of Civil and Construction Engineering at Oregon State University, College of Engineering. He holds a joint appointment and is actively involved in coastal and ocean engineering research and education. His work is centered at the interface of remote sensing and coastal dynamics, with strong institutional support and collaboration across multiple agencies.

Education:

• Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of Delaware, 1999
• M.C.E., Civil Engineering, University of Delaware, 1996
• B.S., Earth & Atmospheric Sciences (Geophysics), Purdue University, 1993

Professor Haller’s research focuses on developing and applying remote sensing tools—particularly X-band marine radar—to study coastal ocean processes. His primary interests include nearshore remote sensing, wave transformation, rip currents, sediment transport, wave-current interaction, and hazardous waves at navigational inlets. His teaching encompasses hydraulics, wave mechanics, and coastal engineering. He previously coordinated the coastal and ocean program (2003–2010) and served as associate head of the School for seven years.

The trends in his research, as reflected in recent and representative publications, emphasize real-time monitoring, data assimilation, and predictive modeling using radar and optical systems. Key themes include bathymetry estimation (e.g., cBathy), wave forecasting for wave energy applications, and submesoscale frontal dynamics. His work integrates field deployments, laboratory experiments, and numerical modeling, often in collaboration with NOAA, ONR, and USACE.

Scientific Awards:

• 2007 Editors' Citation for Excellence in Refereeing, Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans
• 2002 Editors' Citation for Excellence in Refereeing, Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans

Professor Haller leads the Haller Research Group and has advised numerous Ph.D. and M.S. students, many of whom have pursued careers in coastal engineering, government agencies, and academia. His research has been funded by the Office of Naval Research, Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, NOAA, Sea Grant, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is a key contributor to major projects such as DARLA and NANOOS, involving radar deployments at New River Inlet, Cape Disappointment, and Yaquina Bay. He also collaborates with the Coastal Imaging Laboratory and the University of Washington’s Applied Physics Laboratory.

Labs and Research Teams:

He is affiliated with the Haller Research Group, the Nearshore Remote Sensing Group, and the DARLA project team. His group operates the Wave Imaging Marine Radar (WIMR) system and contributes to the National Marine Renewable Energy Center (now Pacific Marine Energy Center). Field sites include the Columbia River mouth, Newport, and New River Inlet, where radar and camera systems are deployed for coastal monitoring.