I view myself as a quantitative field geologist. I try to use a simultaneous combination of field geology, geophysical methods, physical (analog) models, and numerical models to understand three-dimensional deformation. Ongoing projects are on a range of scales and crustal levels in order to consider deformation of the entire lithosphere. A list of ongoing projects, grouped thematically, is listed below.

1. Granite emplacement and magmatic arc processes
   - California, Idaho, New Zealand, Minnesota
2. Neotectonics
   - San Andreas fault (USA), Jamaica, Honduras/El Salvador
3. Faulting and fracture analysis
   - California, Tunisia
4. Deformation of conglomerates, rheology of crustal rocks
   - California, Canada
5. Deformation of lower crustal rocks
   - Australia
6. Deformation of ultramafic rocks, rheology of ultramafic rocks
   - Norway, New Zealand, New Caledonia
7. Large-scale tectonics of the western United States
   

1. Strain modeling
   
2. Physical modeling
   
3. EBSD and universal stage analysis for LPO
   
4. Geomagnetism (Paleomagnetism and AMS)
   
5. Gravity inversion
   
   

Current graduate students

• Paul Riley, Ph.D. candicate. Fracture systems in the Sierra Nevada mountains, California.
  
• Bryn Benford, M.S. candidate. Deformation in the western Idaho shear zone, Owyhee mountains, Idaho.
  
• JoAnn Gage, M.S. candidate (co-advised with Laurel Goodwin). Shear zone structure in Mt Chapple, Arunta block, Australia.

Past graduate students

• Eric Horsman, Ph.D., 2006. Strain analysis of deformed conglomerates and rheological implications, California and Ontario. Presently a post-doctoral fellow at University of Wisconsin and University of California – Berkeley.
  
• Stephanie Maes, Ph.D. , 2006 (co-advised with Dr. Phil Brown). Rock magnetism applied to layered mafic intrusions. Presently teaching at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.
  
• Sarah Titus, Ph.D., 2006. Transpressional deformation in the San Andreas system. Faculty at Carleton College.
  
• Scott Giorgis, Ph.D., 2004. Modification of a mid-crustal plate boundary, Salmon River suture zone, western Idaho. Now faculty at SUNY – Geneseo.
  
• Cheryl Waters, Ph.D., 2004. Strain heterogeneity in lower continental crust: Mt. Hay region, Arunta block, central Australia. Now faculty at Western Carolina University.
  
• Maitri Venkat-Ramani, M.S., 2000. Experimental modeling and field study of transtensional folding.
  
• Eric Horsman, M.S., 2002. Emplacement and fabric within the Henry Mountain Laccoliths, Utah.
  
• Sarah Titus, M.S., 2002. Probable volcanic conduits in the Cretaceous Sierra Nevada batholith, California.
  
• Karoun Chakordian, M.S., 2003. Pluton emplacement and strike-slip deformation along the Vermillion fault, Minnesota.
  
• Selena Mederos, M.S., 2004 (co-advised with Dr. Alan Carroll). Structural evolution of the Rock Springs and Douglas Creek Arches, western U.S.
  
• Caroline Webber, M.S., 2005. Deformation within the Red Hills ophiolite, New Zealand.
  
• Chris Gordon, M.S., 2006. (co-advised with Dr. Toni Simo). Mechanical stratigraphy and salt dynamics, central Tunisia.
  
• Skylar Primm, M.S., 2006. Wavelet analysis of shear zones, Sierra Nevada.

Courses that I am presently teaching:

Integrated Liberal Studies (ILS 153): Ways of Knowing in Science
Geology 202, Introduction to Geological Structures
Geology 204, Historical Geology
Geology 455, Structural Geology
Geology 556, Mountains Belts
Geology 755, Advanced Structural Geology
Multiple Fieldtrip classes
I am also the co-coordinator for the ISES (Integrated Solid Earth Sciences) summer schools. The first one was run in summer 2006 on the topic of “Rheology”

I am currently an undergraduate advisor.