David S. Trossman

Associate Research Scientist

University of Maryland-College Park

Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center

Affiliate Associate Research Scientist with Department of Atmospheric & Oceanic Science

Affiliate of NOAA STAR/NESDIS LSA

Adjunct Professor at Louisiana State University

email: david.s.trossman at noaa dot gov

Introduction

I'm a computational ocean (data) scientist who generally develops methods to make the most of the imperfect numerical models/theories and the sparse/aliased observations we have of the ocean. Recently, my focus has been on improving existing or exploring alternative observational methods to monitor basic ocean state variables. I do this by both developing data products and investigating how to enhance ocean observing systems. In my spare time, I compose and release music, sometimes for outreach but most of the time just as an outlet.

Research

Summary:

• Computational physical oceanography (using models to identify how to improve ocean state estimates as well as parameterize and understand interactions at oceanic boundaries)

• Ocean data science (combining information from theories, numerical/empirical models, and observations to estimate environmental conditions as well as assess and design observing systems)

The primary research questions I focus on include:

• What are the roles of the ocean circulation and mixing in determining ocean and climate variability and change?

• How can we best reconstruct and understand ocean properties of the recent past using a combination of available observations and models?

• How can we improve future forecasts through the assimilation of existing or hypothetical observational platforms and/or development of physically-motivated model parameterizations? 

A few example findings from my research include:

• Form drag-induced dissipation dominates lee wave drag-induced dissipation in the ocean and can enhance near-bottom velocities via topographic deflection

• Ocean circulation changes with increasing carbon dioxide buffer both surface temperature changes and ocean deoxygenation

• Variables you can invert from magnetic field data can help monitor ocean heat content and ocean circulation variability

See my publications for more detail

My research plans are described here

Education

• • University of Washington-Seattle: PhD in physical oceanography, 2011

  • University of Chicago: M.A. in public policy, 2008

  • Washington University in St. Louis: B.A in mathematics and physics, 2004; M.A. in physics, 2005

My career path ever since these degrees is described here

My full CV can be found here

Current/Pending Procured Funding

1. E Hugo Berbery (CISESS lead), Paige Lavin (Primary lead), Deirdre Byrne (NOAA lead), David Trossman (CI scientist): CISESS: Further Development of New Methods for Determining Upper Ocean Heat Content. NOAA NESDIS ORS (2022-2025); this is funding myself

2. David Trossman (PI), Lidia Cucurull (NOAA lead): CISESS: A framework for observing system simulation experiments under future conditions. NOAA QOSAP (2024-2025); this is funding myself

3. David Trossman (PI), Nathalie Zilberman (Co-I), Helen Pillar (Co-I): Collaborative Research: Using Models and Historical Data to Guide Effective Monitoring and Enhance Understanding of Deep Ocean Oxygen Variability; NSF Chemical Oceanography #: 2242741 (2023-2026); this is funding Nemi Abomaye-Nimenibo at Louisiana State University's Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences

4. David Trossman (PI), Paige Lavin (Co-I): From the Shelves to the Deep: Satellite-Derived Profiles for Operational Ocean Heat Content Applications in the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. NASA OSTST (this is funding myself + (potentially a) full-time postdoc at the University of Maryland-College Park, 07/2025-06/2029)