Geoffrey Cook is a Senior Lecturer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, within the VC Marine Sciences school and Geosciences Research Division. He holds a PhD in Geology from Washington State University (2009), an M.S. from Boise State University (2002), and a B.A. from Franklin and Marshall College (2000). His research focuses on physical volcanology, including the volcanic evolution of large calderas, petrogenesis of magmas, and geoscience education. Notable projects include studies on the Otowi Member of the Bandelier Tuff and crustal assimilation processes in Iceland’s Fagradalsfjall Fires (2021). He emphasizes innovative teaching methods, such as active learning and experiential education, to address student misconceptions in geoscience. Dr. Cook has received multiple teaching awards, including the 2023 Scripps Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award and the 2018 UCSD Panhellenic Chapters Outstanding Faculty Award. His publications span volcanology, geochemistry, and educational pedagogy, with recent work in Nature (2024) and active learning strategies in STEM education. His academic profile reflects a commitment to both advancing geoscience research and improving undergraduate education through evidence-based practices.
Professor Balz Kamber is a renowned academic in the Faculty of Science at Queensland University of Technology (QUT), leading research in elemental and isotopic geochemistry paired with petrology. He holds the position of Professor in Petrology within the School of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences . His work focuses on Earth's differentiation into chemical spheres, with applications in climate science, planetary evolution, and resource exploration. Kamber has held prestigious roles, including Chair in Geology and Mineralogy at Trinity College Dublin and a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair at Laurentian University. Education: PhD (University of Bern, Switzerland), MSc (University of Bern) Professional Memberships: Royal Irish Academy (since 2018), European Association of Geochemistry Research interests include thermodynamic modeling of igneous processes, automated mineralogy, and the interplay between climate and geological history. His current projects address mantle dynamics, crustal evolution, and planetary weathering. Teaching focuses on Earth Materials, Petrology, and Climate Science at QUT. Notable achievements include editorship of Chemical Geology (since 2018) and contributions to understanding the Great Oxidation Event and Deccan Traps volcanism. His work bridges fundamental geochemistry with real-world challenges, such as climate change mitigation through enhanced rock weathering. Grants/Funding: Led the 23M Euro Irish Centre for Research in Applied Geosciences (2011–2018) Labs/Teams: Heads a dynamic research group advancing LA-ICP-MS methodologies and geochemical imaging
György Hetényi is an Associate Professor at the Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Lausanne, specializing in large-scale geophysics. His research focuses on mountain-building processes, earthquake dynamics, and tectonic deformation of the Himalayas and Alps. He leads the AlpArray project, deploying the largest academic seismic network in Europe. Since 2015, he has held an SNSF Assistant Professorship, advancing to his current role in 2020. Education: Bachelor's in Geophysics at Eötvös University (Budapest) Master's and PhD at École Normale Supérieure (Paris), studying Himalayan deformation Research Interests: Combining seismic and gravity data to model crustal structures, numerical modeling of orogenic processes, and educational seismology initiatives in Nepal. Active in field campaigns across Bhutan, Nepal, and the Ivrea-Verbano Zone. Publications: Over 48 peer-reviewed articles since 2007, emphasizing crustal imaging, seismic tomography, and Himalayan tectonics. Recent work includes participatory gravity modeling challenges and pan-Alpine gravity database development. Awards: Prize of the Chancellery of the Universities of Paris (2007) for doctoral research on Himalayan deformation. Teaching & Outreach: Developed the 'Geophysics Across Scales for Geologists' module in the UNIL-UNIGE program. Co-leads the Nepal School Seismology Network, integrating low-cost seismic education tools. Grants & Projects: AlpArray, DIVE (scientific drilling in Ivrea Zone), and seismic hazard assessments in Bhutan. Collaborates with international networks like ICDP and European seismic consortia. Labs/Teams: Part of the Institute of Earth Sciences (UNIL) and leads the OROG3NY project on mountain-building dynamics.
Prof. Dr. Frederik Tilmann is a leading seismologist at the GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences (Section 2.4 Seismology) and a professor at the Freie Universität Berlin . His work focuses on seismic waveform analysis to understand geodynamic processes in subduction zones and continental collisions. Current affiliations: Head of Seismology Section, GFZ Potsdam University Professor, Freie Universität Berlin Research interests include: Earthquake source characterization Seismic tomography methods Mantle dynamics and lithospheric deformation Machine learning applications in seismic data analysis Volcano-seismic monitoring Ocean bottom seismology techniques Recent publications highlight advancements in: Full waveform inversion for mantle dynamics Machine learning for seismic phase picking Anisotropy studies in Alpine and Himalayan regions Subduction zone microseismicity analysis Volcano-induced landslide detection Scientific awards include: Feodor-Lynen Fellowship (Humboldt Foundation) Trinity Hall College Staff Fellowship Multiple citations in high-impact journals Collaborative work spans global seismic infrastructure projects like SMART cables, the Collaborative Seismic Earth Model, and the AlpArray network. His methodology innovations in shear wave splitting and depth phase picking have become standards in computational seismology.
Professor Andrew Berry is an Associate Professor and Head of the Geochemistry Research Area at the Research School of Earth Sciences, Australian National University (ANU). He holds a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford and a B.Sc. (Hons) from the University of Sydney. His research focuses on experimental petrology, geochemical processes in high-temperature environments, and the use of synchrotron-based techniques like X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to study element speciation in melts and minerals. Key areas include mantle metasomatism, oxidation state analysis of metals (Fe, Ti, Cr), and the geochemistry of carbonatites and rare earth elements. Education: D.Phil. (University of Oxford, 1997), B.Sc. (University of Sydney, 1991). Employment: Senior Fellow/Associate Professor at ANU (2012–present), Senior Lecturer at Imperial College London (2005–2011), and Research Fellow/Postdoctoral roles at ANU (2000–2005). Research Interests: Experimental studies of melt connectivity, oxidation state controls on element partitioning, and applications of synchrotron techniques. Current projects include investigating Fe³+/Fe²+ ratios in MORB, Ti oxidation states in hibonite, and REE behavior in carbonatites. Scientific Awards: Humboldt Research Fellowship (Universität Frankfurt, 2005). Advising & Grants: Supervised numerous PhD projects on topics like mantle metasomatism and zircon oxy-barometry. Active in collaborative projects on critical metals and carbonate melt geochemistry. Labs/Teams: Leader of the Experimental Petrology group at ANU, contributing to facilities like the Australian Synchrotron.
Dr. Attila Balázs is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer at ETH Zurich's Institute of Geophysics, affiliated with the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences. His research integrates numerical modeling with geological data to investigate tectonic-surface process interactions, focusing on orogen-basin systems and continental deformation. Key contributions include studies on back-arc basins, transform faults, and the Tibetan Plateau's uplift mechanisms. He holds the 2020 Flinn-Hart Award and an ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship. His work emphasizes geodynamic processes such as mantle delamination, slab dynamics, and crustal deformation patterns. Balázs collaborates with the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Group and maintains an active research portfolio spanning field observations, seismic analysis, and 3D numerical simulations. Research Foci: Tectonic modeling, basin evolution, mantle dynamics, and crustal rheology Key Regions: Pannonian Basin, Tibetan Plateau, Adriatic Sea, Himalayas His articles highlight interdisciplinary approaches to understanding continental and oceanic tectonics, with recent emphasis on transform fault mechanics, triple junction dynamics, and the interplay between tectonics and climate.
Mohd Ahmad Syed is a Senior Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Manchester's Department of Civil Engineering and Management. His research focuses on climate change impacts on geotechnical infrastructure, resilient and sustainable infrastructure design, and earthquake engineering. He holds a PhD from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and has industry experience with firms like Consulting Engineering Services (I) Pvt. Ltd and Dar Al-Handasah Consultants. Education: BTech (Hons) in Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2001) MTech in Geotechnical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (2003) PhD in Seismic Analyses of Waterfront Structures, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (2009) Research Interests: Climate change modelling for geotechnical infrastructure resilience Development of sustainable construction materials (e.g., bagasse ash) Seismic risk analysis for dams and tunnels in West Africa Artificial soil weathering techniques for laboratory testing Coupled numerical methods for embankment stability under climate scenarios Editorial Activities: Assistant Editor, International Journal of Geomechanics (ASCE) Assistant Editor, Indian Geotechnical Journal (Springer) Key Achievements: Developed first-of-its-kind displacement-based S-curve for seismic earth pressure analysis Co-developed methodologies for post-liquefaction pile behavior and blast-loaded tunnels Guided 10 PhD/MSc students in geotechnical resilience and sustainability topics
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.
Glenn R Sharman is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arkansas, College of Arts & Sciences. His research integrates sedimentary geology, stratigraphy, and petroleum geology to explore sediment routing systems shaped by tectonic and climatic processes. Sedimentary Rocks & Fossils (2019-2020) Sedimentary Geology (2021) Petroleum Geology (2017, 2019) Field Camp (2018, 2021) Sedimentary Petrology (2020, 2021) Imperial Barrel Award (2019) His work examines clastic sedimentary systems across spatial and temporal scales, focusing on Earth history transitions like the end Triassic and Paleocene-Eocene boundary. He leads the Detrital Geochronology Laboratory (DGL), an industrial affiliates program for global provenance datasets in source-to-sink frameworks. Research highlights include collaborations with Devon Energy on 3D digital outcrop modeling for reservoir characterization. Recent publications coauthored with Sam Johnstone in Earth and Planetary Science Letters emphasize sediment unmixing techniques using detrital geochronology. His group's work intersects with modern sediment routing systems, numerical modeling, and societal challenges like anthropogenic climate change. Dr. Sharman supervises M.S. and Ph.D. students and has mentored researchers such as Ben Howard (Terra Nova) and Isaac Johnson (JGR Earth Surface), who applied machine learning to predict fluvial sand composition.
Mary-Louise Timmermans serves as the Damon Wells Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences and Director of Graduate Studies at Yale University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her research focuses on Arctic climate dynamics and physical oceanography, where she has established herself as a leading expert in Arctic Ocean processes. Dr. Timmermans' research interests center on Arctic climate systems, particularly physical oceanography of the Arctic Ocean, heat and freshwater storage and transport mechanisms, ocean mixing processes, and eddy and wave dynamics. Her work examines how these processes interact with and respond to climate change, with particular attention to the Canada Basin and Beaufort Gyre regions. She employs both observational data from projects like the Ice-Tethered Profilers and theoretical modeling approaches to understand complex Arctic oceanographic phenomena. Her recent publications reveal a strong focus on Arctic Ocean dynamics under climate change, with particular attention to sea ice volume changes, freshwater content increases, and biogeochemical processes. Her work frequently appears in high-impact journals including Journal of Geophysical Research and Geophysical Research Letters, and she regularly contributes to major climate assessment reports such as the NOAA Arctic Report Card and the American Meteorological Society's State of the Climate reports. Her research demonstrates increasing attention to carbon cycle dynamics and potential climate engineering applications in polar regions. Dr. Timmermans actively mentors a large research group consisting of PhD students, postdoctoral associates, and undergraduate researchers working on diverse aspects of Arctic climate science. Her students pursue projects ranging from sea ice dynamics to ocean biogeochemistry and fluid dynamics modeling. She also serves on the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Summer Program, providing training opportunities for the next generation of oceanographers. She leads and participates in several major Arctic research initiatives including the Sea-Ice MURI, Ice-Tethered Profilers program, Beaufort Gyre Exploration Project, and contributes to the NOAA Arctic Report Card. Her laboratory utilizes data from ice-tethered profilers, satellite observations, and numerical models to investigate Arctic Ocean processes across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
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.
Paul Liu is a Professor and Director of International Affairs at the College of Sciences, NC State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Geological Oceanography from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (2001) and academic roles spanning 2003 to present. His research focuses on sediment dynamics, sea-level changes, and large river systems in Asia. He leads the World Large River and Delta Systems Source-to-Sink Webinar Series and serves as an NC State Provost Faculty Fellow for Global Leadership. Education: Ph.D. (2001) Virginia Institute of Marine Science; M.S. (1995) Chinese Academy of Sciences; B.E. (1992) Ocean University of China Research expertise includes AI applications in geoscience, sediment transport modeling, and paleoenvironmental reconstruction. His work integrates field observations, numerical models, and geophysical data to address coastal evolution and climate change impacts. He has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles on river deltas, continental margins, and marine sedimentation processes. Recent articles analyze delta dynamics in the Nile, Indus, and Yellow River systems, and explore sediment-carbon interactions in the South China Sea. Liu’s research also addresses human impacts on sediment fluxes and coastal management strategies in Asia. As a global leader, he collaborates internationally on delta sustainability and leads workshops on AI applications in Earth sciences. His lab, linked at https://sealevel.wordpress.ncsu.edu, focuses on bridging geoscience and emerging technologies.
Martin C. Chapman serves as Research Professor of Geophysics in Virginia Tech's College of Science, Department of Geosciences. He directs the Virginia Tech Seismological Observatory (VTSO), operating from a Cold War-era fallout shelter near the Virginia Tech Executive Airport. His research integrates observational seismology with earthquake hazard mitigation in plate-interior regions, particularly eastern North America. His educational background includes: Ph.D. in Geophysics, Virginia Tech (1998) M.S. in Geophysics, Virginia Tech (1979) B.S. in Geophysics, Virginia Tech (1977) Chapman's primary research focuses on plate-interior seismicity/tectonics and strong-motion seismology. He combines field observations from the VTSO network with global strong-motion data to investigate earthquake causes and wave propagation characteristics. Recent work emphasizes induced seismicity from aquifer recharge and wastewater injection, site amplification effects in sedimentary basins, and development of seismic monitoring networks for risk reduction in eastern North America. Analysis of his 2022-2025 publications reveals concentrated research on injection-induced seismicity in Virginia's Hampton Roads region, sediment thickness mapping of Atlantic/Gulf Coastal Plains for ground motion prediction, and advanced characterization of historical earthquakes (1886 Charleston) and recent sequences (2024 New Jersey, 2020 Sparta). His methodology integrates dense seismic arrays, machine learning detection algorithms, and geospatial analysis to refine hazard models. His scientific recognition includes: Jesuit Seismological Association Award for Contributions to Observational Seismology (2016) As VTSO director, Chapman oversees seismic monitoring across Virginia and leads the Hampton Roads Seismic Network initiative. His work involves significant collaboration with the US Geological Survey on coastal plain amplification studies and regional seismic hazard workshops. Current projects focus on optimizing earthquake detection during aquifer recharge operations and developing site-specific amplification models for eastern US infrastructure. Chapman's laboratory operations center on the VTSO's network of seismic stations, utilizing advanced techniques including reverse vertical seismic profiling and dense array backprojection imaging. His team's recent field deployments target induced seismicity monitoring in Southeast Virginia and detailed characterization of the Central Virginia Seismic Zone.
Pierre Bouilhol is a Senior Lecturer (Maître de conférences) at Université de Lorraine, Nancy, France, affiliated with the CRPG-CNRS research unit. His expertise spans petrology, geochemistry, and tectonic processes, with a focus on subduction zones, magmatic systems, and isotope geochemistry. He holds a Doctorat en Sciences (PhD) from ETH Zurich (2005-2008) and a Master in Earth Sciences from Montpellier (2002-2004). His research investigates subduction dynamics, including volatile cycling, serpentinite evolution, and magmatism linked to continental collisions. Notable contributions include studies on Archaean subduction-like magmatism and redox heterogeneities in subducting slabs. Teaching includes courses on petrology, field geology, and magmatic systems at undergraduate and graduate levels. He has held prior positions at MIT (2009-2011), Durham University (2012-2016), and the LMV in Clermont-Ferrand (2016-2017). Recent publications (2021–2025) address topics such as early Earth magmatism, slab devolatilization, and carbonate transfer mechanisms in subduction zones. Collaborations span institutions globally, focusing on fieldwork and experimental petrology. His lab work at CRPG involves advanced geochemical and isotopic analyses, contributing to understanding continental crust formation and mantle processes.
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.
