Heather Bedle

Heather Bedle is the Lissa and Cy Wagner Professor at the School of Geosciences, University of Oklahoma. Her research integrates geosciences, data science, and environmental sciences to advance understanding of Earth's crust and human-environment interactions. She leads the AASPI and SPEER research groups, focusing on seismic analysis, reservoir characterization, and socio-environmental dynamics related to climate challenges.

• Ph.D., Earth and Planetary Sciences – Northwestern University (2008)
• M.S., Geological Sciences – Northwestern University (2005)
• B.S., Physics – Wake Forest University (1999)

Dr. Bedle specializes in applying machine learning and data science workflows to geoscience challenges, including multi-attribute seismic analysis, geothermal energy, carbon capture, and Archean tectonics. Her work addresses:

• Optimization of seismic workflows for subsurface imaging
• Reservoir characterization at sub-seismic scales
• Interdisciplinary studies on societal responses to climate change
• Integration of physics-derived synthetic models in energy exploration

Recent publications highlight her pioneering use of unsupervised and probabilistic neural networks for seismic facies classification in the Gulf of Mexico and Taranaki Basin, alongside explainable AI frameworks for improving fault detection in basement rocks. Her research also examines methane hydrate identification and Quaternary depositional sequences.

Scientific awards include:

• University of Oklahoma Presidential Professorship

She has mentored numerous graduate students, including:

• PhD graduates: Marcus Maas, Karelia La Marca, Alexandro Vera Arroyo, April Moreno Ward
• MS graduates: Evan Jowers, Hy Tran, Jacob Maag, Pamela Blanco Dufau, Diana Salazar

Dr. Bedle co-develops AASPI software tools for seismic attribute analysis and leads SPEER's transdisciplinary initiatives combining geoscience with social psychology and policy research. Her lab teams focus on energy transition technologies, 4D seismic monitoring, and web-based application development for upstream optimization.