I am originally from southern California and grew up exploring the surrounding mountains and deserts with my family and friends. Before I understood geology I was fascinated by topography, but didn’t know what to do with that pasion at the time. I also collected rocks and minerals, which sparked an interest in geology. I entered college as a geology major, uncertain of my choice at first, but I was soon hooked. My interest in earthquakes started with my firsthand experiences with the 1992 Landers and 1994 Northridge events while I was an undergraduate student at UCLA. I went to graduate school motivated by continuing my education, but not focussed on a particular specialization within geology. It was while in graduate school that I realized how much could be discovered from the relationships between topography and faulting. Thus this became the main focus of my post-graduate career.
My research is strongly tied to field observations focusing on the recent geologic record – primarily the last one million years of Earth history. This time period spans the hazy boundary between landscape evolution and the rock record. My areas of expertise span structural geology, geomorphology, and exposure-age geochronology. I have been very fortunate to have the opportunity to pursue these interests as a researcher and professor of geology.
Professional Preparation
1995: B.S. Geology / Engineering Geology, 1995, UC Los Angeles
2002: Ph.D. Geology, California Institute of Technology
Appointments:
2001-2003: Assistant Research Scientist, Institute for Crustal Studies, UC Santa Barbara
2004-2008: Assistant Professor, Geological Sciences, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
2008-2010: Assistant Professor, Earth and Planetary Sciences, UC Davis
2010-2015: Associate Professor, Earth and Planetary Sciences, UC Davis
2015-present: Professor (Department Chair 2017-2021), Earth and Planetary Sciences, UC Davis