Dr. Robert H. Weisberg, Distinguished University Professor, Emeritus, College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, is a physical oceanographer engaged in ocean circulation and ocean-atmosphere interaction studies in the tropics, on continental shelves, and in estuaries. Along with his membership in the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida, he is an elected Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and of the Southeast University Research Association. His educational background includes a BS in Material Science and Engineering from Cornell University followed by both MS and PhD in Physical Oceanography from the Graduate School of Oceanography, University of Rhode Island. After a nine-year academic stint at North Carolina State University, he was recruited by the University of South Florida where he continued his academic career through Emeritus status in 2022.

As a physical oceanographer, Dr. Weisberg’s work began with studies on estuarine circulation before evolving into ocean-atmosphere interaction studies in the tropical waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with emphases on various planetary wave phenomena that lead to basin-scale adjustments, including the El Nino – Southern Oscillation. His several sea-going research expeditions provided seminal observational and theoretical advances on these topics. Once at the University of South Florida, he further developed a coordinated program of observing and modeling the circulation of the West Florida Continental Shelf and the interactions that occur between the shelf and the deep ocean and between the shelf and the estuaries, with added emphasis on Tampa Bay. Along with understanding the physical workings of these water bodies, applications of immediate societal relevance included the role of the ocean’s circulation in governing certain aspects of harmful algal blooms, specifically K. brevis red tide, fisheries recruitment and harmful substance spills, plus applications to hurricane storm surge and waves and various forensic studies.

His published works include more than 230 research papers in refereed professional journals, plus numerous technical reports and articles in nonrefereed literature. He also co-edited two books with refereed chapters. After a career of such publications that are essentially limited to a professional audience, he recently published a book aimed more generally. “Climate to the Fish Sandwich, Why We Study the Ocean’s Circulation,” Springer, ISBN 978-031-77591-8, attempts to explain to a lay-person audience, without the use of mathematics, why just about everything that we experience on Earth depends upon the ocean’s circulation. The book begins with general aspects of climate and ecology before delving into specific applications of societal relevance. Along with addressing questions in the minds of anyone who may peer seaward, it is the hope that this book may inspire the next generation to continue unraveling the workings of our oceans and their impact upon every aspect of our existence.

Along with his professional activities, Dr. Weisberg engages in various forms of public outreach and community leadership including past President, Congregation B’nai Israel of St. Petersburg, FL and Board Chairman, Menorah Life Senior Living, St. Petersburg, FL. He relishes his family and community time and enjoys sailing, skiing, travel, the arts and just being active.