Nick Shay

Professor of Ocean Sciences at University of Miami

Dr. Lynn K. (Nick) Shay is a Professor of Oceanography in the Department of Ocean Sciences at the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science.1 2 He holds a Ph.D. and M.S. in Physical Oceanography from the Naval Postgraduate School, with a minor in Applied Math for his Ph.D., specializing in upper ocean response to strong atmospheric forcing events.1

Research and Expertise

Dr. Shay's research interests include:

Experimental and theoretical investigations of ocean response and coupled air-sea interactions during strong atmospheric forcing events (e.g., tropical and extratropical cyclones)
Loop Current effects on the atmospheric boundary layer
Coastal oceanographic process studies associated with the Florida Current
Radar oceanography using high-frequency radar and satellite altimetry
Temperature, salinity, and velocity profiling techniques from floats and aircraft-deployable measurements during hurricanes1 3

Achievements and Contributions

Developed ocean heat content monitoring from space-based systems for tropical cyclone intensity forecasting, now operational at NOAA NESDIS and the University of Miami
Collaborated with Teledyne Webb to develop a float capable of measuring physical and biochemical processes that can be deployed from ships and aircraft
Elected fellow of the American Meteorological Society since 2012
Received a NASA achievement award in 2011 for participation in the Genesis Rapid Intensity Program Team field campaign
Awarded the Richard H. Hagemyer Award in 2016 by NOAA's Office of the Federal Coordinator of Meteorology1

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Shay serves on the Board of Directors for:

Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA)
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS)
Florida Institute of Oceanography1

His research has significant societal relevance and is directly applicable to multiple NOAA missions, the BP-sponsored Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, and the NAS Loop Current Program.1