Interested in joining The surface processes group?

We are not actively recruiting at this time.

However, we are always interested in hearing from highly motivated students with multidisciplinary interests in surface processes and systems, who possess or are committed to developing excellent quantitative, computational and writing skills, and who thrive in both collaborative and independent work environments. We are also dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive culture in both our research group and the broader STEM community. Students with non-traditional or underrepresented backgrounds and/or a passion for advancing equity and accessibility in STEM are therefore always especially encouraged to reach out.

I am happy to discuss research ideas on a broad range of topics with interested students and postdocs. Some possible project ideas include: 

• Combining experimental field data (e.g.: throwing rocks down hills) with numerical modeling, high resolution topographic analysis, and theory development to refine our understanding of the statistical representations and underlying physics of long distance or “nonlocal” particle motion and interactions with topographic roughness.
• Using high resolution topographic data (i.e., TLS and/or photogrammetric data) to examine the spectral characteristics and evolution of surfaces under different governing processes.
• Examining the relative contributions and timescales of modern post-fire sediment transport processes and landscape response using short-lived radionuclides (e.g., Be-7 and Cs-137).
• Developing the use of seismic, acoustic and other geophysical techniques to study stochastic or ‘patchy’ geomorphic processes (e.g., rock fall, dry ravel, bioturbation by trees or animals) and/or to measure soil characteristics relevant to slope stability and sediment transport (e.g., root density, soil saturation and cohesion).
• Characterizing seismic wave attenuation properties at geomorphically active field settings and over individual sediment transport or mass movement events to assess site evolution.