Wyn Pauly joins Seo Lab as a new PhD student in Physical Oceanography!

Wyn Pauly earned dual degrees in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences and Urban Planning from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she worked with Prof. Kris Karnauskas on U.S. East Coast sea level variability. At UH, she plan to study air–sea interaction processes under high-wind conditions, with a focus on surface waves, enthalpy fluxes, and the saturation of surface drag during tropical cyclones in the western Pacific Ocean. Her research will directly address several United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UNSDGs).Her research aligns most closely with the UNSDG 13: Climate Action, by advancing understanding of how storms intensify and exchange energy with the ocean. Wyn’s work also connects to UNSDG 14: Life Below Water, as tropical cyclone-driven wave dynamics influence marine ecosystems, coral reefs, and fisheries. Furthermore, by contributing to improved storm forecasting and risk reduction, her research supports UNSDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, helping protect lives, infrastructure, and economies in coastal and island communities exposed to severe tropical cyclones.