Daniel P. Lathrop

Prof. Daniel P. Lathrop is a Professor of Geology at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research focuses on turbulence, geophysical/astrophysical magnetic fields, and nonlinear dynamics. He leads the Nonlinear Dynamics Laboratory, conducting experiments in liquid sodium models of planetary cores and magnetic dynamo action. Key projects include the Three-Meter Liquid Sodium Spherical Couette Experiment to simulate Earth's outer core dynamics. His work integrates geophysics, fluid dynamics, and advanced instrumentation with applications in environmental monitoring (e.g., methane flux measurement) and UXO detection via UAV-based geophysical systems. Recent collaborations explore quantum computing hardware, stochastic systems, and machine learning for predictive modeling of complex phenomena.

• Education: Ph.D. in Physics from University of Texas at Austin (1991)

Research interests span experimental fluid dynamics, magnetic field amplification, granular material behavior under magnetic fields, and interdisciplinary applications of nonlinear physics. His lab innovates in geophysical sensing technologies, including magnetic gradiometry and multi-modal UAV platforms.

Publications highlight advancements in dynamo experiments, magnetic anomaly detection, and novel approaches to computational hardware leveraging stochastic magnetic systems. Awards and recognitions are not explicitly listed in provided materials.