Air–sea interaction and surface waves
Momentum, heat, and moisture exchange under evolving winds, currents, stratification, and sea states.
Explore SCOAR →Understanding ocean–atmosphere–wave interactions across scales
The Seo Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Research (SCOAR) Lab at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa investigates how the ocean, atmosphere, and surface waves interact across scales—from turbulent air–sea exchange to extreme weather and regional climate.
Our lab also engages the public on critical issues such as extreme weather, climate, and renewable energy, aligning our research efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and UC•AO activities.
Explore the SCOAR Lab
How we study the coupled Earth system
Coupled ocean–atmosphere–wave modeling
High-resolution atmosphere–ocean–wave simulations reveal feedbacks that component models cannot represent alone.
Observations across scales
Satellite products and in situ measurements connect modeled processes with the evolving ocean and atmosphere.
Data-driven analysis
Statistical and machine-learning approaches help identify regimes, mechanisms, and sources of predictability.
Research themes
Extreme weather and regional climate
Ocean and wave influences on tropical cyclones, atmospheric rivers, monsoons, and coastal weather.
View related projects →Offshore wind and coastal oceans
Coupled atmospheric wakes, surface-wave responses, upper-ocean mixing, and ocean feedbacks around wind farms.
View offshore-wind research →Process understanding and prediction
Physical, statistical, and data-driven approaches for improving regional coupled prediction.
Browse publications →We are pleased to welcome Takami Otsubo as a new graduate student in the Department of Oceanography at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Takami is originally from Hokkaido, Japan, a region known for its heavy snowfall and rich natural environment. Growing up in this setting inspired his early interest in climate science. In March 2026, he received his bachelor’s degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences from Hokkaido University, where he specialized in physical oceanography and climate science. His research interests include ocean circulation and interactions between the ocean and atmosphere.
Takami is a recipient of the prestigious Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship from the Crown Prince Akihito Scholarship Foundation. He will be co-advised by Prof. Hyodae Seo and Prof. Bo Qiu and will study SWOT observations and numerical modeling of wave–current interactions in the Kuroshio Current.
Welcome to the SCOAR Lab, Takami!
Seo Lab in the Department of Oceanography at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to join the ONR-funded SAFARI team (Study of Air–Sea Fluxes and Atmospheric River Intensity). The UH SAFRI project will utilize a combination of in situ and satellite observations, along with high-resolution coupled model simulations, to investigate the link between spatial variability of SST–wind–wave–current interactions and the diabatic intensification or dissipation of atmospheric rivers through air-sea heat and momentum fluxes.
The successful candidate is expected to bring expertise in surface waves and air–sea interaction modeling, satellite remote sensing (e.g., SWOT), or analysis of in situ observations of air–sea fluxes, turbulent boundary layer processes, and/or their parameterizations.
Please apply online.
Dr. Ben Barr is an expert in sea spray modeling and air–sea interaction under high-wind conditions. He has published influential studies on sea spray parameterizations (Barr et al., 2023) and their effects on tropical cyclones (Barr et al., 2025). Before joining UH, Ben was a postdoctoral researcher at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) from 2023 to 2025. He earned his Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington in 2023 under the guidance of Prof. Shuyi Chen. At UH, Ben will continue advancing sea-state-based sea spray modeling, contributing to the development of a next-generation, sea-spray–enabled COARE bulk flux algorithm.
Welcome Ben!
