Josef Dufek

Josef Dufek is the Gwen and Charles Lillis Chair and Professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Oregon, where he also serves as Department Head. He is a faculty associate of the Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact and leads the Dufek Multiphase Flow Group, which includes the Sensors for Extreme Environments (SEE) Lab and Computational Volcanology (CompVolc). Previously, he was a Professor and Associate Chair at the School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Tech (2008–2018).

His educational background includes:

• B.S. in Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago (2000)
• M.S. in Geological Sciences, University of Washington (2004)
• Ph.D. in Earth and Space Sciences, University of Washington (2006)
• Miller Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Berkeley

Josef Dufek's research focuses on the application of fluid dynamics to geological and planetary processes. His primary interests include:

• Volcanology and magma dynamics
• Multiphase and turbulent flows in volcanic and environmental systems
• Pyroclastic density currents, debris flows, and turbidity currents
• Planetary surface and interior processes
• Development of sensors for extreme environments
• Computational modeling of geophysical flows

His work integrates computational simulations, laboratory experiments, and field measurements to understand mass and energy transfer in natural systems.

He has received recognition as a Miller Postdoctoral Fellow and continues to lead an active research program with significant interdisciplinary impact.

Josef Dufek mentors a diverse group of graduate and undergraduate researchers, including Becca Bussard, Annika Dechert, MaKayla Etheredge, Chris Harper, Rudi Lien, Allison Kubo, Paul Regensburger, PJ Zrelak, and Zack Martin. He has secured grant funding supporting experimental and computational research in volcanology and environmental flows. His teaching emphasizes experiential learning, with courses in volcanology, sensor development, computational methods, and field techniques.

He leads the Dufek Multiphase Flow Group, which operates the Sensors for Extreme Environments (SEE) Lab and Computational Volcanology (CompVolc). These labs focus on developing instrumentation for harsh environments and advancing computational models of multiphase geophysical systems. The group conducts research on pyroclastic flows, planetary impacts, and atmospheric density probing, supporting both fundamental science and hazard mitigation.