Pore-scale and grain-scale studies leading to the prediction of emergent macroscopic properties. Numerical simulation of geomechanical processes – faults, flexures, compaction. Coupling of geomechanics and flow simulation. Fractured reservoirs. Development and behaviour of seals. Design of rock mechanics testing apparatus. My research is focused on materials and processes. I have been fortunate to have established productive collaborations with others who possess complementary skills, allowing me to investigate problems that involve complex interactions and which require a broad knowledge base. I attempt to integrate observations, experiments and theoretical/simulation methods to gain as much understanding as possible, and I try to apply research outcomes to the solution of practical problems.

I grew up in west Texas, and attended Texas A&M for my undergraduate education. I earned my Master’s degree at Rice University, and then a PhD at Texas A&M. I worked in the oil industry (Cities Service Co in Oklahoma, and Amoco in Colorado) and then ran a consultancy before moving to the UK. While at Glasgow University, I focused on basin-scale hydrogeological topics, and have been able to emphasise geomechanical research since joining Heriot-Watt in 1998.