a Geophysicist?

I am a faculty member in the Department of Geological Sciences at Brown University.  My interest in geology and geophysics began as a sophomore at Yale University when I took my first geology course.  I already knew that I enjoyed science, but in this course I was intrigued by how geophysics connected concepts from math and physics with tangible large-scale processes such as earthquakes and mountain building. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Geology and Geophysics from Yale and my Ph.D. in Geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  After obtaining my Ph.D., I was a postdoctoral fellow at Columbia University in the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory for a year and a half. I then joined the Department of Geological Sciences at Brown, became an Associate Professor with tenure six years later, and am now a Professor.  I love the teaching and research environment here.

The goal of my laboratory is to better understand the structure and dynamics of the Earth’s interior.  In our research we use seismic or earthquake waves to image the Earth’s crust and mantle.  This work involves analyzing seismic waves often gathered with temporary arrays of seismic stations that target particular regions.  One ongoing project involves the study of melting processes in the subduction zone that spans Nicaragua and Costa Rica.  We know that the rocks of the Earth’s mantle melt by a few percent and that some of the melt reaches the surface to form the volcanoes that exist in these countries, but we want to better understand where the melt originates and the physical and chemical factors that influence the melting.  Working with scientists in Nicaragua and Costa Rica and at Boston University, we have installed 48 seismic stations to record earthquakes in these countries and globally.  This type of work requires a strong background in geoscience, physics, and math as well as experience with computer-based analysis and programming.  The field work also involves practical skills such as installing solar panels, digging vaults for the seismometers, and driving on unmarked dirt roads without getting lost.  It’s a lot of fun! 

My typical semester includes teaching introductory and advanced level courses several days per week.  My courses include an introduction to physical geology, a freshman seminar on geological processes and land-use planning, earthquake seismology, and an advanced course on seismological theory. I also spend as much time as I can working with graduate and undergraduate students on our research which involves analyzing data on the computer, writing research papers, or working with our seismic stations in the field.

I enjoy many aspects of my job, but two things stand out.  First, the people I work with are great – both the students in my courses and the students and faculty colleagues with whom I collaborate on research. Second, I love the excitement that comes with well-done research results.  Not only do they represent new knowledge, they often take you in unexpected directions and lead to new ideas and challenges.

In addition to the study of the Earth’s interior, research in the geosciences spans a wide variety of important topics including natural hazards (such as earthquakes, tsunamis and landslides), global warming and climate change, water resources, and oil exploration.  Many types of interesting careers are possible, including positions in academia, government research labs, environmental consulting firms, the exploration industry, science policy, and K-12 teaching.