Software Development for Geophysics Professors and Supervisors

David BourneView profile

Associate Professor

Heriot-Watt UniversityUnited Kingdom

David Bourne is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mathematics at Heriot-Watt University, located within the School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences. He joined Heriot-Watt University in 2018 after holding academic positions at Durham University and the University of Glasgow. Dr. Bourne received his undergraduate degree from Durham University (UK), followed by a PhD from the University of Maryland, College Park (USA) under the supervision of Stuart S. Antman. He completed postdoctoral work with Stefan Müller in Leipzig and Bonn (Germany) and with Mark Peletier in Eindhoven (the Netherlands). Dr. Bourne's research focuses on optimal transport theory and its applications . His work spans several interdisciplinary areas including computational geometry, materials science, meteorology, and energy-driven pattern formation. Specifically, he investigates semi-discrete optimal transport theory and its applications to synthetic microstructure generation in materials science, weather modeling through the semi-geostrophic equations, and pattern formation in crystallization processes. His research employs techniques such as Laguerre tessellations and power diagrams to solve complex problems in these domains. His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward applying optimal transport methods to solve complex problems in materials science and meteorology. The research shows increasing sophistication in handling anisotropic structures and developing efficient computational algorithms for geometric modeling of polycrystalline materials and weather systems. Dr. Bourne maintains an active research group and has developed software libraries related to his work, as indicated on his personal webpage (www.macs.hw.ac.uk/~db92/). His ORCID identifier is https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7515-8329.

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Joshua SmithView profile

Professor

California State University, FullertonUnited States

Joshua Smith is a Professor of Physics and Director of the Nicholas and Lee Begovich Center for Gravitational-Wave Physics and Astronomy at California State University Fullerton. As Deputy Director of the Cosmic Explorer next-generation GW detector project, he bridges cutting-edge optics research with large-scale astrophysical discovery. Current roles: Professor of Physics Dan Black Director, Begovich Center Deputy Director, Cosmic Explorer Research focus: Gravitational wave detector optics LIGO interferometry Detector network characterization Dark matter searches via GW data His publications span gravitational wave detection methods, optical coating materials, and astrophysical implications of GW observations. Recent work includes next-generation observatory siting criteria and advanced data analysis techniques for transient GW events. Joshua Smith contributes to open-source detector characterization software and collaborates across the LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA network. He leads efforts to improve detector sensitivity through materials science and interferometry innovations, while exploring multi-messenger astrophysics connections. The Begovich Center under his leadership supports gravitational wave research, education, and public outreach. His team actively participates in Cosmic Explorer R&D initiatives and maintains key detector diagnostics tools used across the global GW community.

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Ioannis VenetisView profile

Assistant Professor

University of PiraeusGreece

Ioannis Venetis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Piraeus, School of Information and Communication Technologies, Department of Informatics, specializing in Operating Systems and Parallel Computing. He earned his PhD from the Department of Computer Engineering and Informatics at the University of Patras. His research spans programming models for parallel systems, scheduling optimization, and applications in computational neuroscience and seismology. Research Interests Operating Systems Parallel Computing Scheduling Algorithms High-Performance Computing Computational Neuroscience Seismology Projects Participation in European and national research programs Development of Gisola (GPU-accelerated seismic inversion tool) His teaching portfolio includes courses like Operating Systems, Parallel Processing, and Symbolic Programming. Articles highlight expertise in GPU acceleration, tridiagonal solvers, sensor networks, and many-core architectures. Notable contributions include work on Chimera states in neuronal dynamics and hierarchical workload scheduling frameworks.

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Martin WegmannView profile

Assistant Professor

Julius-Maximilians-Universität WürzburgGermany

Dr. Martin Wegmann serves as Senior Academic Councillor at the Chair of Remote Sensing within the Institute of Geography and Geology at the University of Würzburg's Faculty of Philosophy. He holds multiple leadership roles including Head of the Biodiversity and Nature Conservation Unit and EAGLE Coordinator, demonstrating his significant contributions to integrating Earth observation technologies with ecological research and conservation applications. Dr. Wegmann's research spans Remote Sensing , Biodiversity Monitoring , and Conservation Ecology , with particular expertise in developing methodologies to monitor ecosystem functions from space. His work bridges satellite data acquisition with ecological applications, creating innovative approaches to link animal movement data with remote sensing for habitat suitability assessment. His research has significantly advanced the field of biodiversity monitoring through frameworks like the spectral species concept and practical tools such as RStoolbox and rasterdiv. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a clear trajectory toward integrating artificial intelligence with remote sensing for environmental monitoring, particularly in forest ecosystems and climate change impacts. His work increasingly emphasizes open science principles and the development of essential biodiversity variables that can be monitored from space, contributing to global conservation efforts and policy frameworks. As an educator, Dr. Wegmann has mentored numerous students across diverse research topics connecting remote sensing with ecology, including biodiversity monitoring in montane forests, forest fragmentation analysis, and tropical dry forest mapping. He has been instrumental in developing the EAGLE program and co-founded the AniMove Summer School, which has become a key training platform for movement ecology and remote sensing integration. Dr. Wegmann leads collaborative research initiatives with major international organizations including the Max Planck Institute, Zoological Society of London, and Smithsonian Institution. His work maintains strong community engagement through research platforms including remote-sensing-biodiversity.org, www.animove.org, and remote-sensing-conservation.org, which serve as hubs for knowledge sharing and capacity building in the field.

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Eun Young LeeView profile

Research Fellow

University of ViennaAustria

Eun Young Lee, Dr.rer.nat., is a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Geology, Faculty of Geosciences, Geography and Astronomy, University of Vienna. She has maintained a productive research career since completing her doctoral studies at the University of Vienna (2010-2015) in Sedimentary Basin Analysis. Her research focuses on Earth system evolution with interactions of geological/geodynamic processes and climate changes. Her primary research interests include multidisciplinary investigation into Earth history and geosystem evolution, sedimentary basin analysis and modeling in an Earth system framework, and the interplay of tectonics, sedimentation, and paleo-environment/climate. She has developed numerical techniques and software for geoscientific data analyses and specializes in interpretation and correlation of geologic, petrophysical, geophysical, and geochemical data. Her recent work increasingly addresses anthropogenic impacts on Earth and environmental systems. Analysis of her publication record shows consistent research output across multiple geological settings including the Gulf of Suez, Vienna Basin, South China Sea, and Australian continental margins. Her work integrates field observations with numerical modeling approaches, particularly in sedimentary basin analysis. She has made significant contributions to understanding Cretaceous climate and tectonics through her participation in IODP expeditions. Young Geologist Award of Korea (2020) ECORD MagellanPlus Award (2017) EKC Best Poster Award (2014) Brain Pool Fellowship (2017-2021) Multiple IODP Expedition Post-cruise Research Grants Dr. Lee has secured substantial research funding including the Scientific & Technological Cooperation of Austria and South Korea (2022-2024), CNU Research Grant (2020-2021), and WISET Research Grant (2020-2021). She has served as Guest Professor at the University of Vienna teaching Sedimentary Basin Analysis (2022) and Basin Analysis (2021). She actively collaborates with Michael Wagreich's Lab at the University of Vienna and has participated in multiple International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) expeditions as a shipboard scientist.

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Andrew ValentineView profile

Associate Professor

Durham UniversityUnited Kingdom

Dr Andrew Valentine is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University, a position he has held since 2023. Previously, he served as Assistant Professor at Durham (2021-2023), Fellow at the Research School of Earth Sciences at The Australian National University (2016-2021), and Postdoctoral Researcher at Utrecht University (2011-2016). He holds significant leadership roles including Director of Education for the Department of Earth Sciences (2025-present) and Secretary of the IUGG Commission on Mathematical Geophysics (2023-present). DPhil in Earth Sciences, University of Oxford (2006-2010), supervised by Prof. J.H. Woodhouse BA/MSci in Natural Sciences (Physics), University of Cambridge (2002-2006) Valentine's research focuses on mathematical and statistical tools for extracting information from observational data, with expertise in geophysical inverse theory, global seismology, and machine learning applications in Earth Sciences. His work bridges theoretical mathematics with practical geophysical problems, developing novel approaches to data analysis and interpretation. He has made significant contributions to probabilistic inversion methods, seismic tomography, and the application of deep learning to geoscience problems. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong trend toward integrating machine learning with traditional geophysical methods. His work spans from theoretical developments in Bayesian inference and optimal transport to practical applications in seismic modeling, mantle dynamics, and volcanic processes. A notable pattern is his focus on uncertainty quantification in geophysical models and the development of efficient computational frameworks for complex inverse problems. His research increasingly incorporates neural networks and other AI techniques to address longstanding challenges in Earth Sciences. Harold Jeffreys Lectureship, Royal Astronomical Society (2025) ARC DECRA Fellowship (2018-2021) Multiple Geophysical Journal International Outstanding Reviewer citations Geophysical Journal International Student Author Award (2010) Valentine has supervised numerous PhD students including Buse Turunçtur, Matthias Scheiter, Suzanne Atkins, Paul Käufl, and Ralph de Wit, with thesis topics spanning sparsity-constrained inversion, Monte Carlo methods, mantle convection patterns, and probabilistic source inversion. His supervision extends to current students Arijit Chakraborty, Charlotte Aulton, Hanna-Riia Allas, Isaac Abbott, and Ugurcan Cetiner. He has served on various editorial boards including as Editor for Geophysical Journal International (2020-2025) and has been involved in major collaborative projects through organizations like CIG. As Director of InLab since 2018, Valentine leads a research group focused on developing innovative computational approaches to geophysical problems. His team has produced influential open-source software like pyprop8 for seismic modeling and has pioneered applications of deep learning to problems ranging from glacial isostatic adjustment to volcanic glass properties. The group maintains strong international collaborations, particularly with researchers at The Australian National University where Valentine holds an Honorary Senior Lecturer position (2021-2025).

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SADIK VAROLGÜNEŞView profile

Lecturer

Bingol UniversityTurkey

Dr. Sadik Varolguneş serves as a Dr. Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering and Architecture at Bingol University since 2024, following 14 years as a Research Assistant at the same institution. His academic foundation includes a Civil Engineering PhD from Dicle University (2023), Master's degree (2013), and Bachelor's degree from Erciyes University (2001), with professional experience spanning construction management and municipal engineering prior to academia. His educational journey features: Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Erciyes University (2001) Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, Dicle University (2013) PhD in Civil Engineering, Dicle University (2023) Varolguneş's research bridges earthquake engineering and sustainable construction, with dual focus on seismic resilience and eco-friendly materials. He conducts field investigations of earthquake-damaged structures while developing computational models for performance evaluation. His sustainable construction work applies Analytical Hierarchy Process to green building standards and investigates geopolymers using industrial byproducts like ferrochrome slag. Recent publications demonstrate urgent responses to Turkey's seismic events, particularly the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. His 12 journal articles published between 2016-2025 show accelerating output after his PhD, with 7 papers in the last three years. International journals dominate his work (8 articles), primarily addressing earthquake engineering (Natural Hazards, Journal of Earthquake and Tsunami) and sustainable construction (Quality & Quantity). The 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes catalyzed his most productive period, yielding three major studies on seismic performance evaluation, bibliometric analysis, and fault rupture characteristics. Dr. Varolguneş actively leads two nationally funded research projects: as principal investigator for seismic software comparison research and as collaborator on geopolymer development from industrial waste. He teaches core undergraduate courses including Reinforced Concrete High Structures and Construction Management, integrating his pre-academic industry experience with current earthquake engineering research to prepare students for practical challenges in Turkey's seismic landscape.

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Natalia BeloffView profile

Associate Professor

University of SussexUnited Kingdom

Dr. Natalia Beloff is a Reader (Associate Professor) in Software Engineering at the University of Sussex's School of Engineering and Informatics, with prior roles including Deputy Head of Department (2018-2023). She holds a PhD in Mathematical Physics from Rostov State University (now Southern Federal University) and completed postgraduate lecturer training there. Her research bridges geophysical data techniques and modern computational challenges: Core methodologies : Data quality algorithms for dynamic systems, advanced regularization techniques Application domains : Blockchain, IoT, e-health records, financial technology, space/solar physics Regional focus : Technology adoption frameworks for Saudi Arabian healthcare, education, and finance She secured 12 grants from UK societies (Royal Society, RAEng) supporting space physics and international collaboration. Recent publications emphasize: Saudi digital transformation in universities/hospitals Arabic NLP tools and cross-cultural fintech adoption Federated learning for cybersecurity She teaches e-business systems and supervises student projects, though no lab or award details are available.

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Marcos Antonio Martínez SeguraView profile

Assistant Professor

Polytechnic University of CartagenaSpain

Marcos Antonio Martínez Segura is an Assistant Professor at the Polytechnic University of Cartagena's School of Civil, Mining and Naval Engineering, specializing in geophysical methods for engineering and environmental applications. His research bridges theoretical geophysics with practical solutions for infrastructure and environmental challenges in southeastern Spain. His primary research interests include Geophysics, Engineering Geology, and Geotechnical Engineering, with specific expertise in Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT), Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW), Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), and UAV photogrammetry. He focuses on landslide detection , mining tailings characterization , historic building preservation , and environmental monitoring of agricultural waste , often integrating multiple geophysical techniques for comprehensive site characterization. His work demonstrates strong regional relevance to Spain's geological and environmental contexts. Analysis of his recent publications (2023-2025) reveals a dominant trend toward Python-based software development for geophysical data processing, particularly for ERT applications in hazard detection. His research consistently emphasizes multi-method geophysical integration (ERT/GPR/MASW) for solving complex subsurface problems, with 80% of recent work focused on case studies in southeastern Spain addressing mining legacy sites, agricultural pollution, and cultural heritage preservation. Notably, he has expanded into educational technology with augmented reality applications for engineering education.

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Tinghao FengView profile

Assistant Professor

Appalachian State UniversityUnited States

Tinghao Feng serves as an Assistant Professor at Appalachian State University, specializing in time-oriented data analysis and visualization systems. His research develops comprehensive tools for exploring temporal patterns across environmental science, healthcare, and finance domains through innovative data mining algorithms and user-friendly software applications. His primary research interests focus on Time Series Analysis and Data Visualization, with significant contributions to Machine Learning applications. He investigates methods for visualizing complex temporal data, developing pattern recognition algorithms, and creating interactive analysis frameworks applicable to environmental monitoring, clinical informatics, and financial forecasting systems. Recent publications reveal a strong emphasis on visual analytics for temporal data, spanning environmental applications (honey bee monitoring, landslide prediction), healthcare informatics (patient messaging systems, pandemic modeling), and remote sensing. Key developments include the TimePool system for univariate time series querying and EVis for environmentally driven event analysis, demonstrating cross-disciplinary impact. Dr. Feng maintains active demonstration systems including TimePool for temporal query visualization and Polynomial Similarity Dependency Trees for linguistic structure analysis, reflecting his commitment to translating research into practical analytical tools for complex data exploration.

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Francisco Bautista ZuñigaView profile

Research Fellow

University of NottinghamUnited Kingdom

Dr. Francisco Bautista Zuñiga serves as a Senior Researcher C and Full-time B Research Fellow at the Center for Research in Environmental Geography (CIGA) of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). His research focuses on environmental geography with emphasis on soil systems and sustainable land management. He earned his Biology degree, Master of Science, and Doctor of Science from UNAM's Faculty of Sciences, complemented by diplomas in Environmental Analytical Chemistry (UADY) and Sustainable Land Use Planning (Dresden University and Universidad Técnica Particular de Loja). His educational background supports his interdisciplinary approach to environmental research. Dr. Zuñiga's research spans multiscale land assessment, soil and water inventories, agroecosystem improvement, soil magnetic properties, and organic waste applications in agriculture . His work integrates geophysical methods with soil science to address environmental challenges, particularly in semi-arid regions. His extensive publication record includes 55 scientific articles, 10 books, and 36 peer-reviewed book chapters that demonstrate consistent contributions to environmental geography and soil science over his career. 8 national distinctions 2 international distinctions With over 25 years of teaching experience, he has supervised 19 undergraduate theses, 13 master's theses, and 3 doctoral theses. He directs the University Laboratory of Environmental Geophysics and is associated with the Virtual Museum of Soil Geography, having developed three registered software programs and four registered trademarks. His laboratory work focuses on environmental geophysics applications for soil characterization and sustainable land management practices.

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María Ángeles Gallegos TaveraView profile

Research Fellow

University of NottinghamUnited Kingdom

Dr. María Ángeles Gallegos Tavera serves as a SECIHTI Postdoctoral Fellow at the Center for Research in Environmental Geography (CIGA), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), in Morelia, Michoacán. Her interdisciplinary work combines computer systems engineering with environmental geography to innovate in soil science research and technological tool development. Her academic qualifications are: Degree in Computer Systems Engineering Master's Degree in Environmental Geography PhD in Environmental Geography Dr. Gallegos Tavera's research spans Soil Science and Geography , with core interests in Digital Soil Mapping, Soil Morphometry, and Environmental Functions of Soils. She pioneers the development of technological tools for soil study, including software applications and mobile tools, to enhance soil evaluation and outreach. Her work integrates geospatial technology and software engineering to address environmental challenges in agriculture and soil conservation. Her scientific recognitions include: SECIHTI Postdoctoral Fellowship National System of Researchers (SNI) membership She has mentored undergraduate students and possesses teaching experience in soil ecology, geographic information systems, and applied soil science. Additionally, she manages soil science dissemination through social media platforms, expanding public engagement in the field. Dr. Gallegos Tavera actively collaborates with the Soils and Water Laboratory of CIGA, the University Laboratory of Environmental Geophysics of CIGA, IGUM Michoacán Unit, the Sustainable Soils Laboratory of IIES, and the Mexican Applied Soil Science Group (led by Dr. David J. Palma López).

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Nadia PinardiView profile

Associate Professor

Euro-Mediterranean Centre on Climate ChangeItaly

Nadia Pinardi is an Associate Professor of Oceanography in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Bologna, Italy, and a Founding Fellow at the CMCC Foundation (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change) in Bologna. Her primary contact is nadial.pinardi@cmcc.it, and she holds a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Harvard University. Her research spans ocean numerical modeling, data assimilation for marine environments, marine biogeochemical modeling, and oil spill forecasting. Current emphases include uncertainty quantification in ocean forecasting systems, long-term Mediterranean Sea variability, sea level trends, and energetics of semi-enclosed seas. This work underpins operational oceanography advancements for regional climate adaptation. Recent publications demonstrate a cohesive focus on Mediterranean physical and biogeochemical processes, integrating tidal dynamics, sea level change, freshwater fluxes, and climate impacts through advanced numerical frameworks. Methodologies prominently feature the SHYFEM model for coastal dynamics, ensemble prediction systems, and high-performance computing implementations addressing policy-relevant environmental challenges. Her accolades include: European Geophysical Union (EGU) Fridtjof Nansen Medal for Oceanography (2007) Roger Revelle Unesco Medal (2008) Pinardi has coordinated Mediterranean operational oceanography development since the mid-1990s and currently co-chairs the Joint Committee for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM), a WMO-UNESCO-IOC initiative driving global meteo-marine services. Her leadership at CMCC integrates interdisciplinary teams advancing climate-ocean forecasting infrastructure.

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Giampiero IaffaldanoView profile

Associate Professor

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Giampiero Iaffaldano serves as Associate Professor in Solid Earth Geophysics at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management within the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He has held this position since June 2015, following a tenured Assistant Professor role at the Australian National University's Research School of Earth Sciences (2010-2015) and a Reginald A. Daly Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University (2008-2010). His academic journey reflects an international career spanning European, North American, and Australian institutions. His educational credentials include: PhD in Natural Sciences - Geophysics (summa cum laude), Ludwig–Maximilians University Munich, Germany (2007) MSc in Physics (summa cum laude), University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy (2003) Iaffaldano specializes in observational geodynamics, developing computational models constrained by geological and geophysical observations to understand forces controlling the coupled lithosphere-mantle system. His research integrates forward and inverse modeling approaches with empirical data to address fundamental questions about Earth's dynamic processes across spatial and temporal scales. His work bridges theoretical geophysics with practical applications in hazard assessment and resource management. His recent publication record (2023-2025) reveals a strong thematic focus on plate boundary dynamics, mantle plume influences on plate motions, and earthquake cycle processes. His research spans global to regional scales with particular emphasis on the North Atlantic region (Icelandic plume effects), South American plate boundaries, and microplate systems in Asia and Europe. The consistent presence of high-impact journals like Earth and Planetary Science Letters and Geophysical Journal International demonstrates his standing in the geophysics community. Among his significant scientific recognitions: Elected member of the Young Academy of Europe (2017) Ringwood Fellowship at Australian National University (2010) Reginald A. Daly Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University (2007) Elite Netzwerk PhD scholarship of the Bavarian Government (2005) Professor Iaffaldano has secured approximately DKK 14,000,000 in research funding from major international sources including the Independent Research Fund Denmark, Villum Foundation, National Science Foundation (USA), and Australian Research Council. He chairs the steering committee for DanSeis – Danish National Center for Seismic Instrumentation. His teaching portfolio includes Geodynamics (MSc), Quantitative Problem-Solving in Geosciences (BSc), and specialized PhD courses on plate kinematics. He serves as Associate Editor for Geosphere and has reviewed for premier journals including Nature, Science, and Journal of Geophysical Research. His extensive international collaborations with institutions in Denmark, Australia, USA, Chile, and Europe reflect the global nature of contemporary geophysical research and his leadership in the field.

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