Vedran Lekić

Vedran Lekić is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Geology at the University of Maryland. His research focuses on seismic imaging of Earth and planetary interiors, with particular emphasis on mantle dynamics, tectonics, and Mars exploration.

Education:

• Ph.D. in Geology, University of California, Berkeley, 2009

Research Interests:
Dr. Lekić develops advanced seismological techniques to study Earth’s mantle and planetary structures. His work integrates seismic data with computational models to explore topics like crustal thickness, mantle convection, and the relationship between deep Earth processes and surface tectonics. Recent efforts emphasize Mars seismic studies via NASA’s InSight mission, probing the Red Planet’s core-mantle boundary and crustal dynamics.

Recent Research Trends: His 2023–2025 publications highlight breakthroughs in Martian seismic analyses, including core-mantle boundary insights, crustal thickness mapping, and mission concepts for lunar exploration. Techniques such as Bayesian inversion and compressive sensing advance planetary subsurface imaging.

Labs/Teams: He leads the Seismology Laboratory, advancing planetary seismology and computational geophysics.