Nick Pizzo

Nick Pizzo is an Assistant Professor of Oceanography at the Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island. He employs theoretical, numerical, laboratory, and field approaches to study air-sea interaction and upper ocean dynamics. His research emphasizes Lagrangian fluid mechanics and geometric methods for understanding ocean-atmosphere coupling.

• BS Mathematics/Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara (2008)
• PhD Physical Oceanography, University of California, San Diego (2015)

His research focuses on fluid mechanics of the ocean and atmosphere, including submesoscale processes, surface/internal waves, and wave-induced mixing. Recent work explores planetary waves, drift dynamics, and 2D turbulence using geometric frameworks.

The Surf Lab, led by Pizzo, has published on wave momentum, fog dynamics, planetary waves, and turbulence. These studies span 2023–2025 and reflect interdisciplinary collaborations with institutions like JPL.

• Scientific Awards:
  • AMS STAC Early Career Award (2024)

Pizzo mentors graduate students and postdocs, including Alli Ho (PhD defended, JPL postdoc), Andrew Goering (Greenlee Fellow), Aidan, Adriana, and Andy (NDSEG Fellow). Current projects include NSF-funded studies on air-sea interaction and surface wave mixing.