I am an assistant professor of practice in the Department of Geosciences at the University of Arizona, specializing in structural geology, applied geophysics, and earth resources.

My research focuses on applying a variety of different data sets and modeling techniques to the study of structural geology and active tectonics.  Specific projects have involved the development and use of discrete-element-based mechanical modeling, kinematic modeling, and observations from seismic reflection data, seismicity, paleoseismology, and geodetic data sets.

I am particularly interested in fault-related-fold geometry and mechanics.  Understanding the relationship between fold and fault shape and the development of these structures over time is of critical importance to seismic hazard studies, and the assessment of energy and mineral resource systems.

Posing with a tiny fault-related fold at the K-Pg boundary in Ward, New Zealand.

Additionally, I am interested more generally in the distribution of stress and strain in the crust, fracture distributions in fault-related folds, finite strain analysis, the role of obliquity in the development of individual structures and strain partitioning, restraining and releasing bend architectures in strike-slip environments, relating geomorphic indicators of active folding with subsurface interpretations of fault and fold geometries,  the role of discrete folding in co-seismic deformation, and how these issues relate to particular field areas of relevance to petroleum and natural gas systems and seismic hazard assessment.