Measurements and data are our window into the natural world. I love finding ways to analyze data in order to learn new things about Earth. While it’s always fun to go out and make new measurements (and sometimes it’s absolutely necessary!), I particularly enjoy developing new ways to process data in order to make new discoveries. Much of my work has been on developing algorithms for processing seismic and geoacoustic data in smarter ways. This work has focused on exploring ways to detect new types of signal, or entirely new events. More efficient algorithms can also help for problems that require extensive human interaction and review; reducing analyst workloads and enabling the processing of more data.

In Geophysics, we often make use of grossly limited and insufficient data to understand complex Earth structures or processes. Inverse theory provides us with the tools to use our limited data to make meaningful inferences about the Earth, while formally understanding the uncertainty in our models. My PhD was based on a classic Geophysical inverse theory problem – seismic tomography – which is the inference of 3D Earth structure from measurements of seismic waves. I learnt first-hand about the challenge of limited datasets! My interest in atmospheric acoustics subsequently required me to consider even harder inverse problems, and to come to terms with Bayesian methods as a more thorough means to assess uncertainty. While it might sound boring, getting inverse theory right is the key to any assessment of the Earth from limited data. In particular, I have an ongoing interest in how we can characterize uncertainty, and how that informs our understanding of Earth.

Volcanoes, earthquakes, bolides, ocean activity, and a wide-variety of human caused signals can generate geoacoustic waves. These waves propagate through the atmosphere and can be detected at long distances. A particular interest of mine is how we can use geoacoustic waves to understand either sources, or the propagation through a dynamic atmosphere.

I have a long-standing interest in the use of seismology and acoustics to monitor human sources for national and international security. I’ve worked on several programs at the national laboratories on developing algorithms and tools for national and international agencies to aid in the ability to detect, locate, and characterize human sources. Many people don’t associate Earth Science with these applications, but I find it an interesting and important application of our science!