Research Overview
I am an earth scientist who fascinated by how the earth deforms. Earth deformation leads to awe-inspiring natural processes such as plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and the formation of mountain belts. It has some very practical uses in trying to understand how deformation might affect the integrity of seals to carbon capture projects and nuclear waste disposal sites, the deposition of mineral resources, or the flow of fluids in the sub-surface.

My approach has been to combine field, laboratory experiments, and modeling to gain a fundamental understanding of deformation in the earth. I established the Rock Deformation Laboratory in Liverpool in 2003 which is now well-recognized as a global centre for studies on rock deformation and fluid flow under realistic crustal conditions.