Ross Tulloch

Ross Tulloch is a Research Fellow in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), affiliated with the Program in Atmospheres, Oceans and Climate. His research focuses on ocean and atmospheric dynamics, particularly the interplay between mesoscale eddies, baroclinic instability, and large-scale ocean circulation patterns. Tulloch employs advanced numerical models like the Eddying Double Drake and observational data to investigate topics such as eddy diffusivity, meridional overturning circulation variability, and geostrophic turbulence.

Education:

• PhD in Physics, New York University (2008)
• MSc in Mathematics, Simon Fraser University (2003)

Research Interests:
Tulloch's work addresses fundamental questions in geophysical fluid dynamics:

• Baroclinic instability scales in oceanic regimes
• Propagation mechanisms of oceanic eddies
• Predictability of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (MOC)
• Role of surface dynamics in atmospheric energy spectra

Recent studies emphasize eddy mixing processes, particularly using the Double Drake model to simulate Earth-like ocean behavior while isolating mesoscale dynamics.

Articles Overview: His recent work (2014–2006) explores lateral eddy diffusivity in key oceanic regions like Drake Passage, decadal MOC variability mechanisms, and wavenumber spectra of surface winds. He combines observational data with model outputs to quantify energy fluxes and spectral characteristics.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates extensively with MIT's Program in Atmospheres, Oceans and Climate, leveraging high-resolution ocean models to study eddy-driven processes and their climate implications.