Education
Ph.D., Geology, University of Cincinnati, 1989
M.S., Geology, University of Cincinnati, 1985
B.S. cum laude, Geology, Bowling Green State University, 1982
Licenses and Certification
Professional Geologist #171390, Kentucky
Professional Geoscientist #11398, Texas
Licensed Engineering Geologist and Hydrogeologist #501, Washington
Professional Geologist #356, Wisconsin
Certified Professional Geologist #10311, AIPG
Professional Affiliations
Fellow, Geological Society of America
Member, American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Member, American Geophysical Union
Bio
I’m a geologist whose work over the years has focused on earth movements of one kind or another—landslides, rockslides, debris flows, land subsidence, earth fissures, and other geologic hazards— that occur either naturally or as the result of human activities.
I’ve also worked on a variety of other topics like the effect of faults on subsurface fluid flow, Himalayan geomorphology, computational geology, structural geology, petroleum geology, GIS applications, and the use of geologic information to support planning and policy decisions.
Engineering geologic applications of digital surface modeling using high resolution LiDAR, MBES, marine 3D seismic, and digital photogrammetry has been an integral part of my research and professional practice over the past 15+ years.
My onshore field experience includes projects throughout the United States, Papua New Guinea, Nepal, Mexico, and the Indian Himalaya. Offshore project areas have included deepwater Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, India, Guyana, Mozambique, Cote d'Ivorie, Japan, Indonesia, and Australia.
I am honored to have been the 2010-2011 Richard H. Jahns Distinguished Lecturer in Engineering Geology. During my tenure I gave 67 lectures to university and professional groups throughout the United States, Canada, and even India.
Since September 2016, I have been the State Geologist and Director of the Kentucky Geological Survey with an appointment as a Research Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, all at the University of Kentucky.
Before moving to Kentucky, I was a Consultant to Senior Consultant and Quantitative Geohazards Group Leader with Fugro GeoConsulting in Houston, Texas (2011-2016); an independent consulting geologist (1999-2011); Engineering Geologist to Assistant Director and Senior Engineering Geologist with the New Mexico Bureau of Mines & Mineral Resources (1989-1999); and a petroleum geologist (19815-1986).
At different times over the years, I've also taught as an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati, New Mexico Tech, and Portland State University.
Want more details? Download a copy of my c.v. or look me up on LinkedIn
