Dr. Jung-Fu Lin is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the Jackson School of Geosciences, University of Texas at Austin, holding the Dave P. Carlton Centennial Professorship. His research focuses on understanding planetary interiors through high-pressure experiments, particularly using diamond anvil cells and synchrotron facilities. Key areas include mineral physics, Earth's core dynamics, and the role of water in mantle processes. Expertise: High-pressure mineral physics, X-ray spectroscopy, and planetary materials science. Current projects: Investigating iron alloys in Earth's core, thermal conductivity of mantle minerals, and carbon storage mechanisms. Research highlights include discoveries on iron spin transitions, elasticity of bridgmanite, and Martian core dynamics. Awards include the NSF CAREER Award and Fulbright Scholarship. Lin supervises graduate students in experimental petrology and mentors postdocs globally. Teaches courses on Earth materials and mineral physics. Active in international collaborations, including with Okayama University (Japan) and Adam Mickiewicz University (Poland). His lab develops advanced laser heating systems and Raman spectroscopy tools for high-pressure studies.
Jonathan Snow is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Louisiana State University (LSU), College of Science. Previously, he held faculty positions at the University of Houston, including roles as Assistant Professor (2005–2008), Associate Professor (2008–2014), and Professor (2014–2019), and served as President of the Faculty Senate (2016). His academic journey includes a Bachelor’s in Geology from Indiana University (1983), Master’s from the University of Rochester (1986), PhD in Oceanography from MIT/WHOI (1993), and a Habilitation in Mineralogy from Universitat Mainz, Germany. Research interests focus on the Earth’s lithosphere formation, mantle melting processes, and oceanic crustal accretion. Key areas include mid-ocean ridge basalt petrogenesis, mantle noble metal geochemistry (Os, Re), and tectonics of fracture zones. Notable contributions include studies on the Arctic Ocean’s Gakkel and Lena Troughs, Hess Deep, and Shikoku Basin oceanic core complexes. Professional recognitions include NSF Graduate Fellowship (USA), Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Fellowship (Germany), DFG Heisenberg Program (Germany), and Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowships. His work integrates field expeditions (e.g., ARKTIS cruises), laboratory geochemistry, and computational models to advance understanding of mantle dynamics and crustal evolution.
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)United States
Paul D. Asimow is the Eleanor and John R. McMillan Professor of Geology and Geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), part of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University (1991), an M.S. (1993), and a Ph.D. (1997) from Caltech. His career progression includes roles as Assistant Professor (1999–2005), Associate Professor (2005–2010), and Professor (2010–present), with the McMillan Professorship since 2016. Education: A.B. in Geology, Harvard University, 1991 M.S. in Geology, Caltech, 1993 Ph.D. in Geology, Caltech, 1997 Research Interests: Focuses on computational, experimental, and observational approaches to igneous petrology and mineral physics. Key areas include adiabatic mantle melting, water's role in mantle dynamics, high-pressure mineral physics, and processes at mid-ocean ridges. His research utilizes advanced facilities like the Lindhurst Laboratory of Experimental Geophysics and the alphaMELTS software package for thermodynamic modeling. Articles Overview: Recent work spans planetary crust formation, Martian petrogenesis, and high-pressure mineral behavior. Themes include experimental techniques, computational modeling, and cosmochemical studies of meteorites. Awards and Honors: James B. Macelwane Medal (AGU) Frank Wigglesworth Clarke Medal (Geochemical Society) Richard P. Feynman Prize for Teaching Excellence (Caltech) Fellow of the American Geophysical Union Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America Grants and Labs: Received NSF funding for developing an interactive phase equilibria curriculum. Leads the Lindhurst Laboratory, focusing on shock-wave experiments and high-pressure mineral physics. Collaborates on software tools like alphaMELTS and MAGMASOURCE. Labs and Teams: Active in the Caltech Shock Wave Laboratory, advancing experimental methods for planetary material studies. Engages in interdisciplinary projects on Mars geology and terrestrial planet formation.
John F. Rudge is a Professor of Geodynamics at the Bullard Laboratories, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge , and a Fellow and Dean of Trinity College. His research focuses on the dynamics of Earth's interior, including mantle convection, magma transport, and the geochemical evolution of the planet. He employs continuum mechanics, numerical analysis, and statistical methods to address questions about melt dynamics, mantle heterogeneity, and the surface expressions of geophysical processes. Education includes a mathematics undergraduate degree and a PhD in Earth Sciences and Applied Mathematics from Cambridge. He held postdoctoral positions at institutions like ETH Zürich, Yale, and Columbia University before joining Cambridge as a University Lecturer in 2010 and being promoted to Professor in 2022. Key research areas include: Transport of melts and volatiles in the mantle Evolution of Earth's interior from accretion to present Dynamic topography and inner core dynamics Publications span over two decades, with recent works addressing melt rheology, mantle mineralogy, and interdisciplinary applications in oncology. He has supervised numerous PhD students and postdocs, including David Rees Jones, Isarapong Eksinchol, and Laura Alisic. Awards include the Philip Leverhulme Prize and Geological Society President’s Award. Teaching responsibilities include courses on geophysics, magma dynamics, and supervisions in Natural Sciences at Trinity College. Research tools include finite element modeling and collaborations with computational scientists.
Sanne Cottaar is a researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, specializing in seismology and deep Earth structure. Her work integrates seismic waveform analysis, mineral physics, and geodynamic modeling to investigate mantle plumes, ultra-low velocity zones (ULVZs), and core-mantle boundary dynamics. Key research areas include: Seismic imaging of deep Earth heterogeneity Core-mantle boundary and mantle transition zone structure Multidisciplinary approaches with mineral physics and geodynamics Development of seismic tools like BurnMan for thermodynamic modeling Public engagement through educational initiatives such as Deep Earth Explorers Her recent publications focus on mapping ULVZs using Sdiff and Pdiff waves, resolving mantle plume origins, and benchmarking seismic methods against geodynamic constraints. She actively supervises doctoral projects in seismology and deep Earth dynamics.
Sally Gibson is a researcher at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, specializing in mantle geodynamics and volatile cycling processes. Her work integrates field observations, geochemical analysis, and numerical modeling to investigate how deep Earth processes influence surface environments over 3.5 billion years of planetary evolution. Research focuses on volatile cycling (CO₂, H₂O, F, Cl, S) in mantle systems Key projects include mantle plume-ridge interactions with collaborators in the US and Ecuador Operates a LA-ICP-MS laboratory for high-resolution geochemical analyses Supervises PhD students in petrology, geochemistry, and numerical modeling Her research addresses fundamental questions about Earth's habitability through studies of mantle-derived volatiles critical for climate regulation and energy transition metal deposits. Fieldwork in remote regions like Antarctica, Lesotho, and the Galápagos Islands provides empirical data for her interdisciplinary approach. Recent publications highlight her expertise in mantle xenolith analysis, plume dynamics, and volatile quantification in large igneous provinces. Her group's work combines 3He/4He isotopic analysis with seismic tomography to constrain lithospheric evolution and mineral deposit formation. Students under her supervision develop expertise in petrology and geochemical modeling while engaging with environmental and societal impacts of geological research. She actively promotes scientific outreach and community engagement, fostering connections between academia and broader society.
Prof. Dr. Arwen Deuss is a full Professor at the Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University , specializing in Seismology . Her research focuses on mapping Earth's deep interior using global seismology, with particular emphasis on mantle discontinuities, core structure, and whole Earth oscillations. She integrates seismological data with mineral physics, geodynamic modeling, and geochemistry to understand planetary evolution. Key research areas: Earth's Deep Interior, Global Seismology, Mantle Discontinuities, Inner Core Anisotropy Teaches courses in Theoretical Seismology, Earth Systems, and Planetary Interior Structure Developed open-source tools like FrosPy for normal mode analysis Her recent work explores 3D mantle attenuation, tilted transverse isotropy in the inner core, and seismic wave coupling. She leads projects connecting seismic tomography with geodynamic processes and maintains active collaborations in international seismological research.
David Al-Attar is a Professor at the University of Cambridge's Department of Earth Sciences, actively involved in theoretical and computational geophysics research. He serves as a supervisor within the Cambridge NERC Doctoral Landscape Awards (Training Partnerships) program, particularly in the CREATES initiative focusing on climate and environmental science. Education: While specific educational details aren't provided in the text, his extensive publication record and professorial position at Cambridge indicate advanced training in geophysics and applied mathematics. Research Interests: Professor Al-Attar's work spans several interconnected areas within geophysics. His primary focus includes theoretical and computational problems in geophysics, with particular emphasis on continuum mechanics as applied to Earth systems. He develops new physical and mathematical theories for understanding Earth processes, including rigorous function space methods for inverse problems and uncertainty quantification. His sea level change research aims to constrain ice sheet evolution during the last glacial period to better understand modern contributions to sea level rise. Additionally, he investigates solid Earth dynamics including seismic free oscillations, body tides, and Earth rotation, contributing to our understanding of deep Earth structure and mantle dynamics. Research Themes: His publications demonstrate expertise in adjoint methods, glacial isostatic adjustment, mantle viscosity, planetary seismology, and computational methods for geophysical problems. Recent work emphasizes 3-D Earth modeling, sensitivity analysis, and the integration of satellite observations with theoretical models. Current Projects: Potential projects for students include inverse problems related to deglacial sea level change with focus on uncertainty quantification, modern sea level monitoring using satellite data, and solid Earth dynamics particularly regarding outer core viscosity in tidal and rotational dynamics. Contact: He can be reached at da380@cam.ac.uk for research inquiries and collaboration opportunities.
Dr. Fabian Burmann is a Lecturer at the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (D-EAPS) at ETH Zurich. His research focuses on geophysical fluid dynamics, particularly experimental investigations of planetary interior flows, dynamo theory, and rotational fluid phenomena. He holds a PhD from ETH Zurich (2020) titled 'An experimental investigation of the effects of topography in planetary fluid dynamics.' Key research interests include: Fluid dynamics in planetary cores and subsurface oceans Precession-driven flows and non-axisymmetric geometries Inertial waves and evanescent wave dynamics Experimental methods for rotating fluids (e.g., ultrasonic velocimetry) Topographic effects on geophysical flows His work has been supported by grants such as 'Developing the next generation of inviscid, inertialess dynamo models' (ETHZ) and 'Unravelling Earth’s magnetic history' (EU). Recent contributions include studies on early-Earth dynamos (2025), precession-driven fluid instabilities (2024), and laboratory experiments exploring planetary-scale fluid behavior.
Gabi Laske is a Professor at the Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), University of California, San Diego (UCSD). She is a leading researcher in seismology and geophysics, with a focus on Earth's internal structure, crustal and mantle modeling, and ocean-bottom seismology. Her work has significantly advanced global crustal models, including CRUST5.1, CRUST2.0, and CRUST1.0. Her research interests include seismology, geophysics, Earth's internal structure, surface wave tomography, normal mode analysis, crustal and lithospheric modeling, ocean bottom seismology, mantle plumes, inner core rotation, ambient noise seismology, and earthquake signal processing. She has led major projects such as the Hawaiian PLUME and SWELL experiments, utilizing ocean-bottom seismometers to study mantle dynamics and lithospheric rejuvenation. Her work on inner core differential rotation, particularly with Guy Masters, has been published in top journals like Nature and Science . The 15 most recent publications reflect a strong trend in ocean-bottom seismology, ambient noise analysis, instrument calibration, seismic signal quality, and imaging of crustal and mantle structure. Her work combines observational seismology with advanced signal processing and modeling techniques, often in collaboration with students and international teams. She has made significant contributions to understanding seismic anisotropy, normal modes, and the structure of volcanic and tectonic regions. Funded by NSF (OCE, EAR, CSEDI, MG&G) Collaborative projects with USGS, international institutions Advisor to PhD students, including Adrian Doran Lead developer of DLOPy for OBS orientation Contributor to global reference models (CRUST1.0, LITHO1.0) Gabi Laske has made enduring contributions to geophysics through her development of global crustal models, leadership in major seismic experiments, and mentorship of the next generation of seismologists. Her work continues to shape our understanding of Earth's deep interior and surface processes.
Professor Alex Copley holds the position of Professor of Tectonics at the Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge. His research focuses on understanding Earth's crustal deformation, tectonic forces, and earthquake dynamics across scales from microcrystalline to continental. He employs integrated approaches combining field geology, geophysical data, numerical modeling, and petrological analysis. His work addresses key questions on earthquake controls, tectonic force origins, and crustal material properties, with global field projects spanning Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and South America. Research interests include: Earthquake mechanics and seismic hazard mitigation Continental tectonics and mountain belt evolution Crustal rheology and lithospheric dynamics Metamorphic petrology and continental collision processes Large-scale controls on critical mineral distributions Recent publications highlight studies on fault mechanics in Iran, Himalayan shortening, and the thermal evolution of mountain ranges. His work bridges fundamental geoscience with societal applications, including earthquake resilience and tectonic influences on resource formation. Affiliations include Bullard Laboratories and collaborations with global institutions. No formal awards are listed in the provided text, though his research has been published in high-impact journals like Nature and Geophysical Research Letters .
Dr. Thanh-Son Pham is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow in the Geophysics Department at The Australian National University’s Research School of Earth Sciences. His research focuses on using seismic waves to study Earth’s interior structures, from polar ice sheets to the inner core. He has pioneered methods like teleseismic P-wave coda autocorrelation and coda correlation wavefield analysis, leading to breakthroughs such as detecting J-waves in the inner core and identifying an innermost inner core layer. His work has been featured in Science , Nature Communications , and international media. He holds a PhD from ANU (2019) and has supervised research projects on Antarctic seismology and earthquake source physics. Awards include the 2024 Zatman lectureship from SEDI. Current projects include probing Antarctic ice sheets via correlation seismology and advancing machine learning tools for deep Earth studies. Education: PhD in Geophysics (ANU, 2019), Graduate Diploma in Earth System Physics (ICTP, 2015), BSc in Applied Mathematics (Hanoi University, 2013) Research interests span seismic source inversion, Antarctic ice dynamics, and inner core anisotropy. His 2024 articles address Hunga Tonga eruption mechanics and PKIKP wave analysis using deep learning. Media highlights include BBC, NYT, and ANU press releases.
Miaki Ishii is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Harvard University, affiliated with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. She leads the Harvard Seismology Group and has held academic roles at Harvard since 2006, progressing from Assistant to Associate Professor and then Full Professor. Education: Ph.D. in Geophysics (2003), Harvard University Hon.B.Sc. in Physics (1998), University of Toronto Research Interests: Ishii specializes in seismic imaging of Earth's internal structure, including the mantle and core. Her work focuses on earthquake mechanisms, signal processing, and theoretical seismology. She uses seismic data to study rupture dynamics, subduction zone processes, and free oscillations of the Earth. Key Contributions: Notable projects include analyzing the 2011 Tohoku-Oki earthquake rupture, developing the DigitSeis software for analog seismogram digitization, and studying inner core anisotropy using normal mode splitting. Her research integrates high-performance computing and waveform inversion techniques. Awards: James B. Macelwane Medal (2009) Kavli Fellow (2012) Charles F. Richter Award (2008) Alice Wilson Award (2004) Labs/Teams: Directs the Harvard Seismology Group, collaborating internationally on seismic networks like Hi-net and USArray. Her work bridges computational seismology with observational geophysics.
Keith D. Koper is a Professor in the Department of Geology & Geophysics at the University of Utah and serves as Director of the University of Utah Seismograph Stations (UUSS). He is also the editor-in-chief of The Seismic Record . His work integrates academic research with operational seismic monitoring and public safety initiatives across Utah and the Intermountain West. Education: PhD in Geophysics, Washington University, 1998 BA in Math, Geology, and ISP, Northwestern University, 1993 Dr. Koper's research focuses on array seismology, forensic seismology, deep Earth structure (especially the inner core), earthquake rupture imaging, ambient seismic noise, and seismic hazards in the Intermountain West, including mining-induced and urban earthquakes. His work combines observational seismology with advanced signal processing and machine learning techniques to improve detection, discrimination, and imaging capabilities. He has led or contributed to major projects involving the Wasatch Front, Yellowstone, and regional seismic networks. His recent research emphasizes machine learning for earthquake detection, high-resolution relocation of aftershock sequences (e.g., Magna 2020, Bluffdale 2019), microseism generation in lakes, and fine-scale imaging of the Earth's inner core using seismic reflections. His studies often involve interdisciplinary collaboration, particularly with mining engineering and geodesy. Dr. Koper's research has been consistently funded by federal and state agencies, including the National Science Foundation (NSF), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of Energy (DOE), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and the Utah Department of Public Safety. His publications reflect a strong trend toward integrating computational methods with traditional seismological analysis to tackle complex problems in both natural and induced seismicity. Scientific Service and Leadership: Editor-in-Chief, The Seismic Record Director, University of Utah Seismograph Stations Secretary, U.S. Air Force Seismic Review Panel Former Chair and Vice-Chair, Utah Seismic Safety Commission Dr. Koper mentors graduate students in seismology and geophysics, including recent advisees Sean Hutchings and Alysha Armstrong. His research group actively engages in both fundamental and applied seismological research, with strong ties to national labs such as Sandia. The group is involved in deploying portable seismic arrays, analyzing large datasets, and developing new algorithms for event detection and classification. The University of Utah Seismograph Stations, under his leadership, plays a critical role in monitoring seismicity in Utah and Yellowstone, producing real-time earthquake information, ShakeMaps, and public outreach materials. The station also contributes to national and international efforts in nuclear test monitoring and volcanic hazard assessment.
Professor Patrice Rey is a faculty member at the School of Geosciences, The University of Sydney. He holds the rank of Professor and specializes in geodynamics, tectonics, and landscape evolution. With an international career spanning 12 institutions across three continents, his research focuses on continental rifting, mantle dynamics, metamorphic processes, and the interplay between climate and tectonics. Notable projects include studies on Australia’s geological history, the formation of precious opal, and the dynamics of early Earth geodynamics. His work bridges field geology, numerical modeling, and geophysical analysis. Key research themes include gravitational collapse in cratons, the role of isostasy in fold belt evolution, and the impact of dynamic topography on sedimentary systems. He has contributed to interdisciplinary projects such as the Perseverance Mars mission, highlighting connections between Earth’s geology and Martian surface processes. Recent publications emphasize continental crust evolution, landscape dynamics, and the integration of virtual reality tools in geological education. He leads research teams funded by grants like the Australian Research Council (DP22 and LP20 projects), focusing on mineral systems and Proterozoic rift basins. His media presence includes BBC documentaries and NOVA series, showcasing his expertise in continental evolution and planetary geology.
