Department of Geosciences

Aiken, Carlos L. V.

My research interests focus on Global Positioning System (GPS) applications to geophysics and geology. Our emphasis is on rapid survey techniques with special attention to the problem of using GPS ellipsoid heights for land surveys.

Brikowski, Tom H.
Undergraduate Advisor

Dr. Brikowski's research interest is focused on the development and application of numerical approaches to problems of sub-surface fluid migration and solute or heat transport encountered in geology, hydrology, and environmental engineering.

Ferguson, John F.

My research interests involve a broad range of subjects in seismology, potential fields, tectonics, and the application of numerical modeling, signal processing and inverse modeling techniques.

Manton, William I.

My research interests include tracing lead pollution in the environment by means of isotope ratios, mobilisation of lead from the skeleton during pregnancy and lactation, and geological, and especially geochronological, studies in Central America.

McMechan, George A.
Ida M. Green Professor of Geosciences
Director, Center of Lithospheric Studies

Current research emphasizes seismology and ground-penetrating radar. In seismology, projects include development of software for numerical simulation of scalar, acoustic, elastic, viscoelastic, and poroelastic isotropic and anisotropic responses, and the corresponding inversion, imaging and migration processes.

Oldow, John

Dr. John Oldow is professor of structural geology and tectonics, specializing in regional tectonics and processes related to active plate margins. His primary emphasis is deciphering the time-integrated history and three-dimensional geometry and kinematics of transpressional and transtensional deformational belts.

Pujana, Ignacio

Stratigraphy, biostratigraphy and paleoenvironmental analysis of Mesozoic successions; with emphasis in southern South America. Special interest in radiolarians, foraminifera and calcareous nannofossils.

Stern, Robert J.
Graduate Advisor

My research interests include the evolution of the continental crust, applications of remote sensing, the geology of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, as well as the geography, resources, and environment of Latin America and the Middle East.

Dunn, David E.

My research interests involve rock mechanics, especially the brittle fracture process, polyphase deformation in orogenic cores, thrust belt/foreland interactions, and forensic geology.

My research during the past three decades has focused on the study of two groups of planktonic microfossils: the Radiolaria and planktonic Foraminifera.

Presnall, Dean C.

My research interests include experimental igneous petrology, and the magmatic evolution of Earth.

My research interests have been in the area of glacial geology and geomorphology, primarily in Antarctica. The glacial history of that continent is of particular interest. Current activities focus more on science policy and the interactions between scientists and politicians as the Antarctic Treaty System continues to develop and evolve.

Carter, James L.

My research interests involve five basic areas: Lunar and extraterrestrial resources; upper mantle and lower crustal studies of the earth; geochemical exploration and ore deposits; environmental geochemistry; and K-T boundary and Late Cretaceous sauropod dinosaurs.

Nielsen, Kent C.

My research interests include experimental igneous petrology, magmatic evolution of Earth and my laboratory studies in the UTD rock deformation laboratory have included ductile mechanisms in igneous rock, sliding friction studies, and preliminary evaluation of their physical properties.

Denison, Rodger

My research interests include the evolution of the Ouachita foldbelt, application of strontium isotopes to the solution of geologic problems, and the Paleozoic structure and evolution of Oklahoma and Texas.

Finkelman, Robert

Understanding the physical, chemical, and mineralogical properties of coal and how these properties affect the coal's technological performance, economic byproduct potential, and environmental and health impacts. Understanding the impacts of geologic materials and processes on animal and human health (Medical Geology).

Kirkland, Douglas

Research investigations include the environment of deposition of the Late Permian Castile and Cloud Chief evaporites, the age and cycles of the Early Permian Blain-San Andres evaporites, and the origin of cap rock of salt domes of the Gulf Coastal Province. Strontium isotope ratios of samples of gypsum and anhydrite are playing a critical role in these investigations.

Beauchamp, Weldon
Adjunct Professor

Bergman, Steven
Adjunct Professor
Principal Regional Geologist, Shell Inc.

steven.bergman@shell.com
Phone: 713-245-7271

3737 Bellaire Blvd, PO Box 481
Houston, TX 77001-0481

Davies, Russell K.
Adjunct Professor

rdavies@rdrusa.com
Phone: 972-542-5003
Fax: 972-542-7055

Research interests are the evaluation of teacher-student interactions, particularly relevance, immediacy, and credibility; impact of constructivist learning environments in undergraduate education on teacher-student interactions