Thomas Lippmann

faculty

Thomas Lippmann

Professor
Director, Center of Ocean Engineering
Thomas Lippmann
Contact
T.Lippmann@unh.edu
Chase Ocean Engineering Laboratory, Room 121b, Durham, NH 03824
(603) 862-4450

faculty Bio

Tom Lippmann is a nearshore oceanographer with affiliation with the Department of Earth Sciences and the Ocean Engineering program.

He received a BA in Mathematics and Biology from Linfield College (1985), and an MS (1989) and PhD (1992) in Oceanography at Oregon State University. His dissertation research conducted within the Geological Oceanography Department was on shallow water physical oceanography and large scale coastal behavior. He went on to do a Post Doc at the Naval Postgraduate School (1992-1995) in Physical Oceanography.

He worked as a Research Oceanographer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (1995-1999) in the Center for Coastal Studies, and retains a research associate with the Integrated Oceanography Division at SIO. He was then a Research Scientist at Ohio State University (1999-2008) jointly in the Byrd Polar Research Center and the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Geodetic Science.

Dr. Lippmann's research is focused on shallow water oceanography, hydrography, and bathymetric evolution in coastal waters spanning inner continental shelf, surf zone, and inlet environments. Research questions are collaboratively addressed with a combination of experimental, theoretical, and numerical approaches. He has participated in 14 nearshore field experiments and spent over 18 months in the field.

Courses Taught

  • ESCI 720/820: Ocean Measurements Lab
  • ESCI 764/864: Spectral Anly Geophys Data
  • ESCI 895/996: Topics/NearshoreHydrodyn
  • ESCI/OE 996/995: AdvTop/Nearshore Hydrodynamics
  • INCO 790: Advanced Research Experience
  • OCE 999: Doctoral Research
  • OE 400: Ocean Engineering Seminar
  • OE 401: Ocean Engineering Seminar
  • OE 797: Honors Seminar
  • OE 990: Ocean Seminars I
  • OE 991: Ocean Seminars II
  • OE 999: Doctoral Research

Education

  • Ph.D., Bio Oceanography, Oregon State University
  • M.S., Bio Oceanography, Oregon State University
  • B.A., Mathematics, Linfield College
  • B.A., Biology, Linfield College

Selected Publications

  • Aksen, M. M., Anjiraki, M. G., Craig, J., Choi, J. -G., Lippmann, T., Wosnik, M., & Khosronejad, A. (2026). Feasibility study of a tidal energy site in the Piscataqua River, New Hampshire, using large-eddy simulation. Advances in Water Resources, 213, 105302. doi:10.1016/j.advwatres.2026.105302

  • Choi, J., Carloni, J. T., Gutzler, B. C., Watson, W., Jury, S., Lippmann, T. C., & Goldstein, J. S. (2026). Modeling the Influence of Directional Swimming Ability in American Lobster (

    Homarus americanus

    ) Postlarvae on Settlement. Fisheries Oceanography, 35(2), 158-167. doi:10.1111/fog.70004

  • Choi, J. -G., Carloni, J., Gutzler, B., Watson, W., Jury, S., Lippmann, T., & Goldstein, J. (2025). Modeling the Influence of Directional Swimming Ability in American Lobster (Homarus americanus) Postlarvae on Settlement. Fisheries Oceanography, 35(2). doi:10.1111/fog.70004

  • Choi, J., Matsuoka, A., Manizza, M., Carroll, D., Dutkiewicz, S., & Lippmann, T. (2024). A New Ecosystem Model for Arctic Phytoplankton Phenology From Ice?Covered to Open?Water Periods: Implications for Future Sea Ice Retreat Scenarios. Geophysical Research Letters, 51(19). doi:10.1029/2024gl110155

  • Paprocki, J., Stark, N., Lippman, T., & Graber, H. C. (2024). Geotechnical Investigation of Exposed Intertidal Flats at the Great Bay Estuary Using Sediment Sampling and Satellite-Based Synthetic Aperture Radar. Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal, and Ocean Engineering, 150(4). doi:10.1061/jwped5.wweng-2051

  • Holland, K. T., Holman, R. A., Lippmann, T. C., Stanley, J., & Plant, N. (1997). Practical use of video imagery in nearshore oceanographic field studies. IEEE JOURNAL OF OCEANIC ENGINEERING, 22(1), 81-92. doi:10.1109/48.557542

  • Holman, R., Sallenger, A., Lippmann, T., & Haines, J. (1993). The Application of Video Image Processing to the Study of Nearshore Processes. Oceanography, 6(3), 78-85. doi:10.5670/oceanog.1993.02

  • Lippmann, T. C., & Holman, R. A. (1990). The spatial and temporal variability of sand bar morphology. Journal of Geophysical Research, 95(C7), 11-590.

  • LIPPMANN, T. C., & HOLMAN, R. A. (1990). THE SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF SAND-BAR MORPHOLOGY. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS, 95(C7), 11575-11590. doi:10.1029/JC095iC07p11575

  • LIPPMANN, T. C., & HOLMAN, R. A. (1989). QUANTIFICATION OF SAND-BAR MORPHOLOGY - A VIDEO TECHNIQUE BASED ON WAVE DISSIPATION. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-OCEANS, 94(C1), 995-1011. doi:10.1029/JC094iC01p00995