John P McHugh
Associate Professor
Kingsbury Hall W119
33 College Rd
Durham, New Hampshire 03824
Contact information
Phone: (603) 862-1899
Fax: (603) 862-1865
Email: john.mchugh@unh.edu
Education
PhD, Applied Mechanics, Michigan, 1986
MS, Applied Mechanics, Michigan, 1981
BS, Ocean Engineering, Michigan, 1978
Research Interests
My professional interests are primarily in Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, both atmospheric and oceanic flows. Much of this work is Applied Mathematics and Applied Mechanics, perhaps best labeled as Physical Mathematics. This name 'Physical Mathematics' suggests a combination of physics and math, which it certainly is. But more importantly, physical mathematics implies the use both physical and mathematical reasoning at the highest level in the approach to problem-solving. The 'physics' is usually geophysical fluids, but also nonlinear elasticity, plasma dynamics, and other topics. The 'math' can be an asymptotic approach, numerical approach, and even general proofs. My graduate students take graduate courses in a variety of departments, including physics, math, and engineering. I try hard to ignore departmental boundaries and other restrictions. I also enjoy observations, although I almost never get to go out in the field myself.
Currently my favorite topics are nonlinear internal waves, coherent structures in the atmosphere, symmetry-breaking in surface driven flow, and mesoscale oceanic vortices.
Some Recent Publications
K. Osman, J. P. McHugh, and T. Wei, "Patterns in surface driven flow," Physics of Fluids, 20, 2008.
J. Mchugh, "Mean flow generated by an internal wave packet impinging on the interface between two layers of fluid with continuous density," Theoretical and Computational Fluid Dynamics, 22, 2008.
J. McHugh, "Progressive internal waves of permanent form," to appear in SIAM Applied Math, 2009.
J. McHugh, "Internal waves at an interface between two layers of differing stability," Journal of Atmospheric Science, 66, 2009.
J. McHugh, I. Dors, G. Jumper, J. Roadcap, E. Murphy, D. Hahn, "Large variations in balloon ascent rate over Hawaii," JGR, 113, 2008.
J. McHugh, G. Jumper, M. Chun, "Balloon thermosonde measurements over Mauna Kea, and comparison with seeing measurements," PASP, 20, 2008.
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