Rowena B. Lohman

Rowena B. Lohman is a Professor in the Department of Geological Sciences at Cornell University's College of Engineering. She holds a B.S. in Geology (1998) and Ph.D. in Geophysics (2004) from Caltech, followed by postdoctoral roles at WHOI and JPL before joining Cornell in 2007. Her research focuses on earthquake physics, satellite remote sensing (InSAR), tectonic deformation, and human-induced ground displacements. She is actively involved in advancing geodetic modeling techniques and improving access to satellite data.

Education:

• B.S. in Geology, California Institute of Technology (1998)
• Ph.D. in Geophysics, California Institute of Technology (2004)

Research Interests: Lohman’s work integrates InSAR data with finite element modeling to study earthquake nucleation, fault interactions, and anthropogenic impacts on ground deformation. She examines tectonic regions like Southern California, Cascadia, Iran, and Louisiana, with recent emphasis on land use effects (e.g., mining, subsidence in New Orleans). Key methods include geodetic analysis and remote sensing innovations.

Awards & Grants:

• 2019: Daniel M. Lazar Teaching Award, Cornell Engineering
• 2019: Benjamin Meaker Visiting Professorship, University of Bristol
• 2013: AGU Geodesy Section Award
• 2011: NASA New Investigator Program Grant ($318k)

Service & Collaboration: Lohman serves on the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) planning committee and advocates for open access to remote sensing tools. Her work bridges geoscience with societal needs through hazard mitigation and interdisciplinary collaborations.