(Prototype page. Format & style will likely change.)
My early interest in electronics led initially to an electrical engineering degree. The math & physics was challenging but well worth the effort! After 2 years working in the oil/gas industry, I started an MSc in geophysics, developing and applying a new, portable ice-depth measuring radar system for glacier research. Subsequently, my 35-year (so far!) career has included consulting in glaciology and geotechnical geophysics, instrument development for mineral exploration, supporting a geophysical data analysis research group, teaching geophysics, and eventually geoscience educational research & development at UBC.
It is always rewarding to apply math, physics and computing to help address geoscience problems that are important to society. Seeing others use the ice-depth radar, and new tools & techniques for geophysical mineral exploration has been most rewarding. Another memorable and rewarding project involved completing a magnetic survey as a consultant to help an Alaskan community clean up masses of metallic waste in their nearby lagoon left by decades of military activity. Then, sharing and developing geophysical knowledge with colleagues and students has been a great later-stage aspect of this Earth-science focused career.
Caption: Testing newly developed portable radar instrumentation for measuring glacier thickness;
a satisfying combination of physics, instrumentation, fieldwork and data science. Glacier thickness data
are used for many applications, including by climate scientists, in water-source investigations, and for glacier-related
hazard assessment.
Location: Kaskawulsh Glacier, Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory (60°46'32.2"N 139°07'36.3"W).