My main research focus is the modeling of planetary surface processes and landscape evolution. Currently, I'm working with Jon Pelletier in the Department of Geosciences. I'm interested in using mathematical models to help understand and interpret present day landscapes.

My current work involves the use of numerical modeling to better understand the processes that give rise to different drainage pattern geometries observed in river networks (at large scales) and rills (at very small scales). Such a model must account for the flow of water over the surface as well as the transport of material by fluvial and non-fluvial mechanisms. The presence/absence of different types of sediment transport mechanisms can depend on hydrologic variables, soil properties, and climate (just to name a few). Determining which erosional and fluvial environments give rise to particular types of drainage network geometries is helpful for a more comprehensive understanding of landscape evolution.

Publications:

  • Pelletier, J. D., et al. (2011), Calibration and testing of upland hillslope evolution models in a dated landscape: Banco Bonito, New Mexico, J. Geophys. Res., 116, F04004, doi:10.1029/2011JF001976. PDF

    • Previous Projects:

  • Jupiter's Red Spot (Spring 2009)

    • Recent Coursework:

  • Principles/Methods of Applied Mathematics
  • Numerical Analysis
  • Principles of Analysis
  • Partial Differential Equations
  • Probability
  • Stochastic Processes
  • Numerical/Analytic Modeling in the Geosciences
  • Mesoscale Meteorological Modeling
  • Geomorphology
  • Field Studies in Geomorphology
  • Case Studies in Applied Mathematics

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