Choosing a graduate program is a big decision. At Southern Methodist University, the Seismoacoustic Group I lead offers a dynamic, collaborative, and well-connected environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally. Here’s why you should consider joining us:

🌟 A Strong, Supportive Team Environment

Our group is large and collaborative, currently comprising four PhD students, one postdoctoral scholar, two full-time research scientists, five engineering staff, and two support staff. As a student, you benefit from personalized mentorship through weekly one-on-one meetings with me, as well as biweekly group meetings where you’ll get valuable feedback from the entire team. Our engineering staff provides hands-on opportunities in the field, including instrumentation, deployment, data telemetry, and processing — ideal for building technical skills that set you apart.

🔬 Diverse and Impactful Research

We’re actively engaged in a wide range of projects that span field experiments, advanced data analysis, and numerical modeling. Many of our research topics are unique — the kind of work you won’t find replicated elsewhere — giving you the chance to carve out a distinct niche, make meaningful contributions, and build a strong publication record.

🌐 Exceptional Professional Connections

We collaborate with scientists across government agencies, national labs, industry, and academia. These relationships have led to exciting student opportunities, including internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Outside experts regularly participate in our group meetings and serve on student committees, offering valuable networking and mentorship.

🎉 A Culture That Values Balance and Community

While we’re passionate about our work, we also believe in balance. Our group hosts regular social events — barbecues, pickleball games, baseball and hockey outings — and we even organize a summer croquet tournament that brings together students, staff, and faculty from across the department. We work hard, but we have fun too.

Ready to learn more?

Email me: [email protected] for more information or to set up a Zoom meeting.

When you are ready to apply, follow SMU’s Graduate School’s guide to applying, or proceed to filling out SMU’s online application.