John Nailboff

John Nailboff is an academic researcher in the Department of Earth and Environmental Science at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, where he was promoted to Associate Professor effective August 2025. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Michigan (2009) and M.S./B.S. degrees from the University of California, Davis.

• Ph.D., Geology, University of Michigan (2006-2009)
• M.S., Geology, University of California, Davis (2003-2005)
• B.S., Geology, University of California, Davis (1999-2003)

His research focuses on integrating geodynamic and surface processes through computational modeling, with applications to subduction systems, rift evolution, ice sheet interactions with volcanism, and fault network dynamics. He develops open-source tools like Landlab and ASPECT for multiphysics Earth simulations.

His group has published extensively on 3D modeling of rift systems, subduction dynamics, and software development for geodynamic simulations. Key NSF-funded projects include coupling landscape evolution and geodynamic codes (#2410850) and polar program work on Antarctic volcanism (NSF-OPP 2122248).

Scientific awards include:

• NSF CSSI collaborative award #2410850
• NSF Frontier Research in Earth Sciences program award
• NSF Office of Polar Programs award NSF-OPP 2122248
• Statewide California Earthquake Center Award 23202

Current advisees include PhD candidate Daniel Douglas and MS students Prajakta Mohite and Frederick Lacombe. Former collaborators include Tahiry Rajaonarison (now NMT HPC Computing Specialist) and Liang Xue (UC Davis Project Scientist).