David D. Pollard, P.I.

Barney & Estelle Morris Professor of Structural Geology
Phone 650-723-4679
Email dpollard@stanford.edu

Bio: My students and I are using quantitative field data and the methods of structural geology, combined with computer modeling based on Newtonian mechanics, to address fundamental questions about the processes of faulting, folding, and fracturing in Earth’s crust. These geological structures play important roles in the mitigation of natural hazards including earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Our research also aims to understand how faults and fractures affect the flow of groundwater and hydrocarbons within Earth’s crust. The results of this research are applied to the recovery of natural resources.

George Hilley, Research Associate

Assistant Profesor, Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Phone 650-723-2782
Email hilley@stanford.edu

Bio: I have a broad range of research interests that generally center around active tectonics, quantitative structural geology and geomorphology, geographic information systems, unsaturated zone gas transport; near-surface hydrologic response and landscape development, active deformation and mountain belt growth in central Asia, central Andes, and along the San Andreas Fault, integrated investigation of earthquake hazards, and most recently, the potential impact of tectonic processes on chemical weathering and nutrient supply to ecosystems.

Ole Kaven, Graduate Student

Phone 650-725-0573
Email kaven@stanford.edu

Bio: I'm a fifth year student working with Dave Pollard. The general topic of my research is faulting and earthquake mechanics on geometrically complex faults, in particular, the effects of non-planar surfaces. Additional projects include applications of differential geometry to three-dimensional folding, and the development of algorithm for geologic surface interpolation.

Peter Lovely, Graduate Student

Phone 650-725-0573
Email plovely@stanford.edu

Bio: I'm a third year student working with Dave Pollard. My interests center on 3-D mechanical modeling of reservoir scale faulting and folding, and the relationship of model predicted stress and strain to fracturing, a kinematic indicator of strain observable in the field. Other interests include the application of differential geometry to quantitatively describe geologic surface curvature and the construction of 3-D surface models of fault-related folds.

Solomon Seyum, Graduate Student

Phone 650-725-0573
Email solomons@stanford.edu

Bio: I am a first year student from Cal State L.A. working with Dave Pollard on rock fracture mechanics. I have general interests in structural geology, engineering geology, and tectonics. I will be applying physics and mathematics to quantify the properties of rock fractures in the hope of developing a broader understanding of its applications to varied fields of geology.

Rafe Mazzeo, P.I.

Professor, Department of Mathematics
Phone (650) 723-1894 
Email mazzeo@math.stanford.edu

Bio:

Ronaldo Borja, P.I.

Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor (By Courtesy), Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Phone (650) 723-3664
Email borja@stanford.edu

Bio: Ronnie Borja works in theoretical and computational solid mechanics and geomechanics. His research includes developing strain localization models for geomaterials, modeling lateral flow and liquefaction-induced ground movement, finite element modeling of dynamic soil-fluid-structure interaction phenomena, developing nonlinear models for earthquake site response analysis, and modeling multi-scale phenomena in structural and solid mechanics. Professor Borja has been involved in a project for the intervention and restoration measures for the Tower of Pisa, and in the finite element modeling of the dynamic soil-foundation-structure interaction response of the South Memnon Colosus in Luxor, Egypt.

Fushen Liu, Graduate Student

Phone (650)725-0380
Email fsliu@stanford.edu

Bio: I am now a fourth year PhD student working with Ronnie Borja. My research interest is mainly focused on the mechanical and numerical models for geomaterials, and their applications in folding, faulting and earthquakes. I have developed an extended finite element framework to investigate the frictional cracks and their propagations in rocks at both small strain and finite strain. I am now working on the dynamic frictional crack propagation problem addressing the high speed friction constitutive laws on the interface.

Pablo Sanz Rehermann

PhD, Civil and Environmental Engineering
ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
pablo.f.sanz@exxonmobil.com

Ian Mynatt

PhD, Geological & Environmental Sciences
imynatt@stanford.edu

Patricia Fiore Allwardt

PhD, Geological & Environmental Sciences
ConocoPhillips
Patricia.F.Allwardt@conocophillips.com