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David Ortiz-Suslow

Research Assistant Professor
Meteorology

Phone: (831) 656-3274

Overview

David Ortiz-Suslow is an experimental physicist by training, earning a Bachelors of Science in Physics at UC San Diego (2011) and a doctorate in Applied Marine Physics from the Rosenstiel School at the University of Miami (2017). For his graduate work, he studied with Prof. Brian Haus in the Alfred C. Glassel Jr., SUSTAIN laboratory; and prior to joining the Meteorology Department faculty, he was a postdoctoral research associate with Prof. Qing Wang within the Boundary Layer Processes Group at NPS. Currently, he is a research professor in the Department of Meteorology. Originally from California, he enjoys exploring the outdoors, indulging in good food, and spending time with his family.
NPS Experience
  • 2017 - current: Research Assistant Professor
Other Experience
  • 2017 - 2019 Postdoctoral Research Associate, Naval Postgraduate School
  • 2017 - 2017 Postdoctoral Scholar, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami
  • 2012 - 2017 Graduate Research Assistant, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami
Research Interests
My work focuses on understanding the physical interaction between the atmosphere and ocean to improve weather, climate, and general environmental predictability to support U.S. Naval operations in the maritime zone. The goal of my work is to improve our fundamental understanding of the physical mechanisms coupling the air-water interface and the role of surface gravity waves in modulating this process. I also conduct research on atmospheric turbulence and structure and the impact this has on the electromagnetic energy refractivity in the marine atmospheric boundary layer. My methodologies tend to be experimental and I use both conventional and autonomous observing systems to conduct research studies, but I collaborate closely with fluid dynamic modelers to inform and generalize our experimental results. Furthermore, my research foci are generally motivated by improving the underlying physics driving operational weather, climate, and environmental model systems for military and general public applications.
Teaching Interests
Courses
MR3140 Probability & Statistics for Air/Ocean Sciences
MR4900 Independent Study Course on NPS STEM Outreach Projects

Advising
Dr. Sagi Knobler, ORISE postdoctoral researcher
LT. Dantaun Bernstein, M.S., Meteorology & Oceanography, Primary Adviser (Spring 2026, expected)
LT. Nate Glaubitz, M.S. Meteorology & Oceanography, Primary Adviser (Fall 2025, expected)
LT. Jeré Combs, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Primary Adviser (Spring 2025, expected) LCDR Syed Saad, M.S. Oceanography, co-Adviser (Fall 2025, expected)
ENS Jackson R. Dabek, M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Primary Adviser (Spring 2023)
Basil Darby (SJSU/Moss Landing), M.S. Physical Oceanography, mentor

Awards

  • 2022 - Young Investigator Program, Office of Naval Research
  • 2019 - Parenthood in Academic Research Environments during Training (PARENT) Research Survey, AGU Celebrate 100 Grant
  • 2019 - IEEE/OES Twelfth Currents, Wave, Turbulence Measurement and Applications Workshop Young Investigator Award, IEEE/OES
  • 2017 - Graduate Studies Service Award, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science

Boards, Memberships, & Certifications

Licensures and Certifications
  • 2025 Faculty Success Program Alumni, Cohort 46, National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity

Scholarly Work

Publications
  • Conference Proceedings
  • Wang, Q., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Wauer, B. J., Yamaguchi, R. T., & Kalogiros, J. A, (2020). Atmospheric Optical Turbulence and Inertial Subrange Spectra Over the Ocean.
  • Wang, Q., Franklin, K., Yamaguchi, R., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Alappattu, D. P., Yardim, C., & Burkholder, R, (2018). Ducting Conditions During CASPER-West Field Campaign.
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Huguenard, K., Laxague, Nathan J. M., Williams, N. J., Bogucki, D., & Haus, B. K, (2015). Coastal Dynamics Observed from a Mobile Air-Sea Interaction Platform.
  • Journal Articles
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Ruiz-Plancarte, J., Yamaguchi, R., Kalogiros, J., Fernando, H., Creegan, E., Pardyjak, E., Gabersek, S., Gultepe, I., & Wang, Q, (2025). A case study of boundary-layer development downstream of a small, remote island. QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY.
  • Lyu, M., Potter, H., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Wang, Q., & Wang, X, (2024). An empirical study of the influences of gustiness on vertical mixing at the air-sea boundary. npj Climate and Atmospheric Science, 1(7).
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., & Wang, Q, (2024). Direct measurement of the inertial-convective subrange above ocean surface waves. Physics of Fluids, 2(36).
  • Hlywiak, J., Flagg, D. D., Hong, X., Doyle, J. D., Benbow, C., Curcic, M., Darby, B., Drennan, W. M., Graber, H., Haus, B., MacMahan, J., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Ruiz-Plancarte, J., Wang, Q., Williams, N., & Yamaguchi, R, (2023). Evaluating Atmospheric Surface Layer Flux Parameterization within the Coastal Regime. Monthly Weather Review, 5(151), 1045-1072.
  • Haus, B., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Doyle, J., Flagg, D., Graber, H., MacMahan, J. H., Shen, L., Wang, Q., Willams, N., & Yardim, C, (2022). CLASI Coordinating Innovative Observations and Modeling to Improve Coastal Environmental Prediction Systems. BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY, 3(103), E889-E898.
  • Wu, J., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Hao, X., Wang, Q., & Shen, L, (2022). A Model Sensitivity Study of Ocean Surface Wave Modulation Induced by Internal Waves. Earth and Space Science, 11(9).
  • Potter, H., Collins, C. O., & Ortiz-Suslow, D, (2022). Pier‐Based Measurements of Air‐Sea Momentum Fluxes Over Shoaling Waves During DUNEX. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans, 11(127).
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D, (2021). Remembering the FLIP: an Engineering Marvel for Oceanic Research. Eos, (102).
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Kalogiros, J., Yamaguchi, R., & Wang, Q, (2021). An Evaluation of the Constant Flux Layer in the Atmospheric Flow Above the Wavy Air‐Sea Interface. Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 8(126).
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Furman, T., Clement, A., Potter, H., & Sun-Suslow, N, (2020). Perspectives on Parenting While Researching (During a Pandemic) Eos, (101).
  • Huguenard, K., Bogucki, D., Ortiz-Suslow, D., & MacMahan, J. H, (2020). Nearshore response to cold air outbreaks in the Gulf of Mexico. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science.
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Wang, Q., Kalogiros, J., & Yamaguchi, R, (2020). A Method for Identifying Kolmogorov’s Inertial Subrange in the Velocity Variance Spectrum. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology.
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Wang, Q., Kalogiros, J., Yamaguchi, R., de Paolo, Tony, Terrill, E., Shearman, R. K., Welch, P., & Savelyev, I, (2019). Interactions Between Nonlinear Internal Ocean Waves and the Atmosphere. GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS, 15(46), 9291-9299.
  • Shao, M., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Haus, B. K., Lund, B., Williams, N., Ozgokmen, T. M., Laxague, N. J., Horstmann, J., & Kylmak, J. M, (2019). The Variability of Winds and Fluxes Observed Near Submesoscale Fronts. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans.
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Haus, B. K., Williams, N. J., Graber, H. C., & MacMahan, J. H, (2018). Observations of Air-Sea Momentum Flux Variability Across the Inner Shelf. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS, 12(123), 8970-8993.
  • Laxague, Nathan J. M., Haus, B. K., Ortiz-Suslow, D., & Graber, H. C, (2018). Quantifying Highly Variable Air-Sea Momentum Flux Using Wavelet Analysis. JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY, 9(35), 1849-1863.
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Haus, B. K., Williams, N. J., Graber, H. C., & MacMahan, J. H, (2018). Observations of Air-Sea Momentum Flux Variability Across the Inner Shelf. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS, 12(123), 8970-8993.
  • Laxague, Nathan J. M., Haus, B. K., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Smith, C. J., Novelli, G., Dai, H., Ozgokmen, T., & Graber, H. C, (2017). Passive Optical Sensing of the Near-Surface Wind-Driven Current Profile. JOURNAL OF ATMOSPHERIC AND OCEANIC TECHNOLOGY, 5(34), 1097-1111.
  • Ortiz-Suslow, D., Haus, B. K., Mehta, S., & Laxague, Nathan J. M, (2016). Sea Spray Generation in Very High Winds. JOURNAL OF THE ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES, 10(73), 3975-3995.
  • Soloviev, A. V., Haus, B. K., McGauley, M. G., Dean, C. W., Ortiz-Suslow, D., Laxague, Nathan J. M., & Ozgokmen, T. M, (2016). Surface dynamics of crude and weathered oil in the presence of dispersants: Laboratory experiment and numerical simulation. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS, 5(121), 3502-3516.