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.

Braun, Alexander

Dr. Braun is a geophysicist specializing in Earth observation from space including satellite altimetry, gravimetry and synthetic aperture radar. These observations are used for geophysical interpretation of dynamic processes in sea ice and sea level change, geodynamics and glacial isostatic adjustment. In addition,he has an interest in high performance computing and 4-D visualization of large data sets.

Brikowski, Tom H.

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.

Fotopoulos, Georgia

Dr. Fotopoulos is a geodesist with research interests in physical and space geodesy; gravity field modeling; navigation and positioning; height systems in surveying and geodynamics, and remote sensing for geo-engineering applications.

John W. Geissman

research interests are in the general fields of paleomagnetism, which is the study of geologically meaningful magnetizations in rocks and how such magnetizations can be utilized to solve geologic problems; and rock magnetism, which includes study of how such magnetizations are acquired and stabilized in rocks and how magnetic phases and their petrogenesis relate to processes, including deformation, affecting rocks.

Griffin, William R.

My research interests are related to alkaline intraplate volcanism, and the sources, processes, mechanisms, and tectonic settings in which it occurs. I am particularly interested in fundamental questions related to mantle plume theory, and alternative hypotheses that are capable of producing intraplate volcanic systems. I utilize geochemical, radiogenic isotope, and geochronological methods to address problems associated with these systems.

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.

Mini Curriculum Vitae

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.

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.

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.

Mitterer, Richard

My interests are the present and past carbon cycle of the Earth and global changes throughout Earth history. My current project is the origin of high concentrations of methane and hydrogen sulfide in sediment cores off the southern coast of Australia.

Pessagno, Jr., Emile

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.

Website

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.

Nielsen, Kent C.

Quantitative structural geology with additional emphasis on the tectonic implications.

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

I am a consulting structural geologist for Rock Deformation Research.  I work primarily with the oil and gas industry on service projects and research related to trap/structural analysis particularly as related to fault characterization and the impact on flow.

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