Subrahmanyam Bulusu

Subrahmanyam Bulusu is a Professor in the Department of Earth, Ocean and Environment at the School of the Earth, Ocean and Environment, University of South Carolina. He is also an Affiliate Faculty at the AI Institute. His research focuses on satellite oceanography, physical oceanography, and climate change, with extensive work in remote sensing and numerical modeling.

• Ph.D.: Oceanography (Satellite Oceanography/Physical Oceanography), National Oceanography Center, University of Southampton, England (1998)
• M.Sc.: Marine Science (Physical Oceanography), Andhra University, India (1991)

His research interests include Remote Sensing, Satellite Oceanography, Physical Oceanography, Ocean-Atmospheric Dynamics, Monsoon Dynamics, Air-Sea Interaction, and Climate Change. He leads the Satellite Oceanography Laboratory, where his team develops novel satellite data-processing techniques and conducts high-impact research on ocean dynamics and climate processes using satellite data (altimetry, scatterometry, ocean color) and models (HYCOM, CFSv2.0, ECCO).

The recent publications reflect a strong trend in satellite-based ocean dynamics, with focus areas including eddy dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico and Indian Ocean, hurricane-ocean interactions, Arctic freshwater variability, internal tides, and machine learning applications in oceanography. His work frequently uses SMAP, SWOT, and OSTM/Jason-2 altimetry data, and integrates ECCO and HYCOM model outputs.

His scientific awards and recognitions include:

• Michael J. Mungo Graduate Teaching Award (2024)
• USC's Breakthrough Leadership in Research Award (2018)
• USC's Breakthrough Rising Star Award (2013)
• Excellence in Teaching Award from Mortar Board (2014)
• Commonwealth Scholarship (1995)

Dr. Bulusu has advised 8 PhD students and over 20 MS students, many of whom are now employed at NOAA, NASA, NRL, and academic institutions. He has secured significant federal funding and leads major research initiatives on Arctic freshwater and sea level change. He serves on the USC Tenure Review Board (Chair, 2024–present) and has held numerous university service roles. His editorial leadership includes being Editor of AGU's Earth and Space Science and Associate Editor for IEEE GRSL and JGR-Oceans.

He leads the Satellite Oceanography Laboratory, which trains students and researchers in cutting-edge remote sensing and ocean modeling techniques. The lab is actively involved in projects funded by NASA and NOAA, focusing on climate change, ocean circulation, and satellite data applications.