Robert J. Wysocki

Robert J. Wysocki serves as Associate Professor at Syracuse University's School of Art within the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), where he bridges sculpture and earth sciences through the groundbreaking Syracuse Lava Project—an interdisciplinary initiative he founded in 2009 that merges artistic practice with experimental geology.

Education

• M.F.A. in Sculpture, Yale University (1995)
• A.B. in Architecture, University of California, Berkeley (1989)

His research pioneers experimental volcanology through large-scale lava simulations, exploring ferrovolcanism, spatter dynamics, and rheological properties of molten materials. This work manifests in both scientific publications and public-facing art installations that visualize geological processes, such as the "Lava Show" in Iceland and "Landscapes of Extraction" exhibition at Phoenix Art Museum, emphasizing science communication through experiential art.

Recent publications (2020-2022) reveal a cohesive trajectory in experimental volcanology, with high-impact collaborations in journals like Nature Communications and Earth and Planetary Science Letters. His work consistently integrates artistic methodology with geoscientific inquiry, producing both peer-reviewed research on planetary lava flows and immersive public demonstrations that translate complex geological phenomena into accessible experiences.

No scientific awards were explicitly documented in the source materials.

Wysocki mentors emerging scholars as dissertation committee member for Christopher Sant's PhD (2023) and leads the Syracuse Lava Project (2009-2027), which has generated extensive collaborative research. His institutional service includes chairing VPA's NASAD accreditation (2022-present) and serving on key university committees including the VPA Academic Council (2020-present) and School of Art Bylaws Committee (2018-2020).

The Syracuse Lava Project operates as a critical interdisciplinary nexus between SU Sculpture and Earth Sciences, conducting controlled lava experiments that inform both planetary science research and contemporary art practice. This initiative has been featured at major conferences including the University of Buffalo Lava Conference (2023) and National Association of Schools of Art and Design meetings (2022), fostering ongoing collaboration between artists, geologists, and educators.