- Title: Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research, Professor of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering
- Department: Office of the Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research
ABOUT
Q: What are your current research interests?
Predicting and controlling the movement of underground fluids (water, natural gas, CO2, contaminants) by means of laboratory experiments and image data science.
Q: What do you hope students take with them from your classes?
True understanding comes from recognizing how new concepts connect with what we already know. I hope my students are compelled to find those connections through observation and practice.
Q: What keeps you going as an educator/researcher?
The pleasure of learning something new and sharing it with others.
STUDENT RECRUITMENT
Q: What makes the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences unique and why come to Penn State and choose a major in EMS?
EMS is unique in its disciplinary depth and breadth in Earth's systems, energy and materials research and education.
Q: What types of research or hands-on learning are available within your department?
Students can perform computer simulations, interpret reservoir and field production data, measure and analyze rock and fluid properties, perform laboratory experiments, and more.
Q: What do you like most about mentoring students?
I truly enjoy helping students achieve their personal career goals.
Q: What advice would you like to share with incoming or current students?
Hard work and persistence ultimately pay off. You are the single most influential person in shaping who you want to become. Your professors, peers and mentors can help.
PERSONAL
Q: What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I make the best Quesillo according to many; it’s a Venezuelan flan coated with homemade caramel and baked in a water bath. You should try it.
Q: Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself?
I was one of about a dozen audience members vanished together onstage from a suspended cage during a David Copperfield show at the Eisenhower Auditorium in 2000. I have an autographed picture to prove it!
Q: Growing up, what did you want to be?
A veterinarian.
Q: What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Serving the college of Earth and Mineral Sciences as Associate Dean for Graduate Education and Research is the professional accomplishment and privilege, I am most proud of.
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