Current Position (2006 to present) NERC post doctoral research assistant
Project title: High temperature fracture mechanics of dome lava
Investigation of the high temperature fracture mechanics of lava domes and the associated seismicity through laboratory experiments on Mount St Helens dome lava. This project involves redesign of the furnace, pore pressure system and acoustic sensors for a high temperature triaxial compression rig. Sample rheology, permeability, fracturing and acoustic emmisions are monitored during a suite of high temperature triaxial compression experiments. The results are compared with the deformation, fracturing and seismicity recorded at Mount St Helens’ extruding dome to improve understanding of the processes driving these observables.

Education/Qualifications
2002 to 2006: PhD in Earth Sciences at UCL.
Thesis Title: ‘Rates of rock fracturing as a tool for forecasting eruptions at andesitic-dacitic stratovolcanoes’ (Funded by a full NERC studentship).
I conducted fracture toughness, uniaxial and triaxial deformation experiments at temperatures from 25 to 900 ºC, whilst recording fracturing events as acoustic emissions. Results from these experiments were compared to patterns of precursory seismicity at volcanoes erupting after repose intervals of centuries and at lava domes that erupt every few months. I also used seismic records from volcanoes to test existing models of precursory rock fracture and to investigate the conditions driving fracturing before volcanic eruptions.
1999 to 2002: 1st class BSc (hons) degree in Geophysics (Geology) at the University of Liverpool.
Dissertation: A laboratory investigation of P-wave propagation across a fracture in sandstone and granite.
1996 to 1998: A levels in Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Spanish

Teaching Experience
Active Tectonics (3rd and 4th year earth science BSc and MSci, UCL, 2004-present): Teaching geophysical field techniques used to image earthquake faults and survey the Vesuvius and Campi Flegrei volcanic region.
MSc and MSci dissertation projects (geology MSci and geophysical hazards MSc, UCL, 2003 - present): Project co-advisor for one to three students per year for volcanology and rock physics projects.
Introductory Geology (2nd year civil engineering BEng, UCL, 2002-2005): Teaching and fieldwork assistant.
Dynamic Earth (1st year earth science BSc, UCL, 2003-2004): Teaching assistant.

Funding Won
EU Marie Curie Fellowship for project VOLCEXPLOSEIS at LMU (24 months full time funding). This fellowship will begin in December 2009, in the LMU Section for Mineralogy, Petrology and Geochemistry.
UCL Inoue Masaru scholarship (2003, £2,000). This is awarded to UCL students to encourage anglo-japanese collaboration. It funded a research trip to the Fracture Research Institute, Tohoku University, and Shimabara Volcano Observatory, Kyushu.

Other Activities
Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST)
Science advisor on a joint NERC and POST fellowship scheme. Produced a report for parliamentarians on early warning systems for natural disasters in developing countries.

Affiliations: Geological Society, Fellow; American Geophysical Union, Member

Publications