Research Interests

Investigation of the main pathways in marine ecosystems; development of coupled physical-biological models.

Current Research

Use of data-assimilative models in conjunction with observations from long-term time series and Ocean Color data (such as SeaWiFS and MODIS) to modify model pathways and estimate model parameters and errors for the North Pacific carbon cycle; modeling of ecosystem response to upwelling off the Oregon coast; data-assimilative modeling of eutrophication in the North Sea.

Education

BS, University of Liege, Belgium (Physics), 1983
BS, University of Liege, Belgium (Oceanology), 1985
MS, Florida State University, 1991
PhD, Old Dominion University, 1995

Feature Story

Keeping an eye on the Arctic (November, 2018)

Publications

White, A. E., Y. H. Spitz, and R. M. Letelier, 2007: What factors are driving summer phytoplankton blooms in the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre?, J. Geophys. Res., 112, C12006, doi:10.1029/2007JC004129.

Bane J.M., Y H. Spitz, R. M. Letelier and W. T. Peterson, 2007: Intraseasonal Oscillations in Oregon's Coastal Upwelling System: From the Jet Stream to Zooplankton, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Vol 104, no 33

Friedrichs, M.A.M., J. A. Dusenberry, L. A. Anderson, R.Armstrong, F.Chai., J. R. Christian, S. C. Doney, J. Dunne, M. Fujii, R. Hood, D. McGillicuddy, J. K. Moore, M. Schartau, Y. H. Spitz, and J.D. Wiggert, 2007: Assessment of skill and portability in regional marine biogeochemical models: the role of multiple planktonic groups, Journal of Geophysical Research, 112, C08001, doi:10.1029/2006JC003852.

White A.E., Y.H. Spitz, and R.M. Letelier RM, 2006: Modeling carbohydrate ballasting by Trichodesmium spp. at Station ALOHA. Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., Vol. 323: 35-45.

White, A.E., Y.H. Spitz, D.M. Karl, and R.M. Letelier, 2006: Ecological implications of flexible element stoichiometry in Trichodesmium spp. Limnology and Oceanography. Vol 51(4), 2006, 1762–1776.

Rothstein, L, M., J.J. Cullen, M. Abbott, E. Chassignet, K. Denman, S. Doney, H. Ducklow, Katja Fennel, M. Follows, D. Haidvogel, E. Hofmann, D. Karl, J. Kindle, I. Lima, M. Maltrud, C. McClain, D. McGillicuddy, J. Olascoaga, Y. Spitz, J. Wiggert, J. Yoder, Modeling Ocean Ecosystems: The PARADIGM Program. Oceanography Vol. 19, No. 1, Mar. 2006, 15- 45.

Richman, J.G, R.M. Miller and Y.H. Spitz, 2005: Error estimates for assimilation of satellite sea surface temperature data in ocean climate models. Geophys. Res. Lett. VOL. 32, L18608, doi: 10.1029/ 2005GL023591.

Spitz, Y.H., J.S. Allen and J.Gan, 2005: Modeling of ecosystem processes on the Oregon Shelf during 2001 summer upwelling. Journal of Geophysical Research, VOL. 110, C10S17, doi:10.1029/ 2005JC002870.

Lancelot, C., Y. H. Spitz, N. Gypens, K. Ruddick, S. Becquevort, V. Rousseau, G. Billen, 2005: Modelling diatom-Phaeocystis blooms and nutrient cycles in the Southern Bight of the North Sea: the MIRO model, Mar. Ecol. Prog. Ser., Vol 289, 63-78.

Lancelot C, Spitz Y, Gypens N, Ruddick K, Becquevort S, Rousseau V, Lacroix G, Billen G, 2004. Modelling diatom-Phaeocystis blooms and nutrient cycles in the Southern Bight of the North Sea: the MIRO model Marine Ecology Progress Series, in press.

Spitz, Y.H., J.S. Allen and P.A. Newberger, 2003: Ecosystem response to upwelling off the Oregon coast: Behavior of three nitrogen-based models. Journal of Geophysical Research, VOL. 108, NO. C3, 3062, doi:10.1029/2001JC001181.

Newberger, P.A., J.S. Allen and Y.H. Spitz: Analysis and comparison of three ecosystem models. Journal of Geophysical Research, VOL. 108, NO. C3, 3062, doi:10.1029/2001JC001181.

Fennel, K., M.R. Abbott, Y.H. Spitz, J.G. Richman, and D.M. Nelson, 2003: Modeling controls of phytoplankton production in the southwest Pacific sector of the Southern Ocean. Deep-Sea Research II, 50, 769-798.

Fennel, K., M.R. Abbott, Y.H. Spitz, J.G. Richman, and D.M. Nelson: Impacts of iron control on phytoplankton production in the modern and glacial Southern Ocean Deep-Sea Research II, 50, 833-851.

Fennel, K., Y.H. Spitz, R.M. Letelier, M.R. Abbott, and D.M. Karl, 2001. A deterministic model for N2-fixation at the HOT site in the subtropical North Pacific. Deep-Sea Research II. 49, 149-174.

Spitz, Y.H., J.R. Moisan, M.R. Abbott, 2001. Configuring an ecosystem model using data from the Bermuda-Atlantic Time Series (BATS). Deep-Sea Res. II, 48, 1733-1768.

Spitz, Y.H., J.R. Moisan, M.R. Abbott, and J.G. Richman, 1998. Data assimilation and a pelagic ecosystem model: parameterization using time series observations. J. Marine Systems, 16, 51-68.

Spitz, Y.H., and J.M. Klinck, 1998. Estimate of bottom and surface stress during a spring-neap tide cycle by dynamical assimilation of tide gauge data in the Chesapeake Bay. J. Geophys. Res., 12,761-12,782.

Lawson, L.M., E.E. Hofmann and Y.H. Spitz, 1996. Time series sampling and data assimilation in a simple marine ecosystem model. Deep-Sea Res, II, Vol. 43, 625-651.

Lawson, L.M., Y.H. Spitz, E.E. Hofmann and R.B. Long, 1995. A data assimilation technique applied to a predator-prey model. Bullletin of Mathematical Biology, Vol. 57, 4, 593-617.

Spitz, Y.H. and D. Nof, 1991. Separation of boundary currents due to bottom topography. Deep-Sea Res. I, Vol. 38, 1-20.