Geology Professor
Background and Research
When I was little I lived in the rolling hills of the Palouse (Washington) and I spent my teenage years in southern Idaho enjoying skiing and hiking. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Geoscience from the University of Washington, and as a graduate student I studied hydrology at the University of Arizona. I love geology because it combines nature, science, and my favorite planet (Earth). I have been teaching at the University of Hawaii at Hilo since 1995.
My professional training is in hydrology, geomorphology, and geology. My research interests include rainfall-runoff modeling, flood forecasting, dam break modeling, non-point water pollution, water quality in Hilo Bay, and fluctuations in volcanic gases from Kilauea volcano.
My current research projects include:
- Rainfall-runoff modeling of flash floods on Kauai.
- Hydrologic drought in tropical lowland forests.
- Flood hazard assessment for catastrophic failure of Hawaiian dams.
- Non-point pollution and water quality in streams on the Big Island.
- Database management system for environmental monitoring networks.