JENNIFER MACKINNON

Professor
MARINE PHYSICAL LABORATORY

Research Interests

As a physical oceanographer, I study small-scale dynamical processes in the ocean, primarily internal waves, sub-mesoscale instabilities, and associated turbulence. Part of my work involves going to sea to observe these processes, using the ocean as a natural laboratory. Simultaneously, I am working with collaborators to turn this dynamical understanding into better parameterizations of small-scale processes to improve global climate models.

Degrees

  • B.A., Swarthmore College, 1995. Major in Physics.
  • M.S., University of Washington, 1999.
  • PhD, University of Washington, 2002.

Thesis title: Coastal Recipes: Internal waves, turbulence and mixing on the New England continental shelf. Thesis committee: Drs. Michael Gregg (chair), Eric Kunze, Eric D'Asaro, Parker MacCready

Research Website: mod.ucsd.edu