Major Field Advisor – Graduate Students
Andre Hawks, D.Eng. Candidate in geological engineering, expected graduation in December 2018. “Best Practices for Geologic Hazards Abatement Districts in California.”
Conor M. Watkins, Ph.D. candidate in geological engineering, expected graduation in Dec 2018, “Mechanisms and genesis of Lateral Spread Features in Southeastern Missouri and Megalandslides in the Grand Canyon Region of northern Arizona.”
Abdurraouf Okok, Ph.D. candidate in geological engineering, expected graduation in May 2019. “Development of geomorphic protocols for LiDAR-enhanced recognition of landslide hazards in the Buffalo National River of Arkansas.”
Major Field Advisor – Students who have graduated
Payman Hajiani, co-advisor PhD in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2016. Identifying Shallow Subsurface Stratigraphy and Voids Using Dispersive Characteristics of Electromagnetic and Surface Waves.
Muhammad Farooq Ahmed, Ph. D. in geological engineering, graduated in December 2013, Physical factors Influencing the formation and catastrophic removal of landslide dams in mountainous terrain.
Elamin Ismail, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in December 2013, Geospatial Evaluation of Landslides and their likely role in the Evolution of Northwestern Ethiopian Plateau Drainage Network using Remotely Sensed Data and GIS Techniques
Kyla J. Erich, M.S in geological engineering, graduated in August 2013. Wolf Creek Dam: A case study of foundation remediation for dams built on karst foundations.
Adnan Mohammed Abdullah Aqeel, co-advisor for Ph.D. in geological engineering awarded in May 2012. Slope stability analysis using terrestrial laser scanner, geophysical methods, and remote sensing.
Niklas Putnam, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2010 (co-advisor), Analysis Using Surface Wave Methods to Detect Shallow Man-Made Tunnels.
Ece Karadeniz, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2008, Ground Motion Sensitivity Analyses for the Greater St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
Katherine L. Onstad, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2008, Methodology and Process to Accompany a Virtual Geotechnical Database for the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
Jae-won Chung, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2007, Development of a Geographic Information System-Based Virtual Geotechnical Database and Assessment of Liquefaction Potential for the St. Louis Metropolitan Area.
Deniz Karadeniz, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2007, Pilot Program to Assess Seismic Hazards of the Granite City, Monks Mound, and Columbia Bottom Quadrangles, St. Louis Metropolitan Area, Missouri and Illinois.
Craig Kaibel, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2004, Estimation of One-Dimensional Seismic Site Response and Liquefaction Susceptibility of Three Missouri River Bridges
Ahmed M. Youssef, Ph.D. geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2004 (co-advisor), Development of a Highway Rockfall Management Database System for Missouri Highways Using Digital Video Image Analysis and Geographic Information System
Atinuke O. Akingbade, Ph.D. in applied geophysics awarded in May 2004 (co-advisor), Passive Margin Thrust Belts: A Case Study of Deformational Regime and Hydrocarbon Prospectivity
Briget C. Doyle, Ph.D. in geological engineering, awarded in Dec 2003, Identification of Seismically-Induced Landslippage Along Crowley’s Ridge, Southeast Missouri and Northeast Arkansas
Shahram Taherinia, M.S. in geological engineering, awarded in Dec 2003, Engineering Geologic Site Characterization of Some Major Highway Bridges in Missouri
Nicholas H. Beckmann, M.S. in geological engineering, awarded in Dec 2002, Characterization and Analysis of the West Lost Creek Trail Landslide, Hinsdale County, Colorado
Michael Jurashius, M.S. in geology at San Jose State University, awarded in May 2002, Rock Slope Kinematics of the Mission Peak Landslide, Fremont, California
Patrick L. Drumm, M.S. in geology at California State University, Los Angeles, Dec 1999, A Study of Late Cenozoic Faulting and Geologic Evolution of the San Antonio Canyon Watershed with Emphasis on Fill Terrace Deposits and Rock Avalanches, Eastern San Gabriel Mountains, bordering Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties, California
Professional Recognition of Graduate Student’s Research
2014 Dennis R. Washington Achievement Scholar of the Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. to Andre Hawks, on June 20, 2014. Andre received a graduate degree scholarship of $28,000, the largest of ten scholarships granted by the association each year.
2012 Platinum Corporate Sponsor Award to M. Farooq Ahmed for his presentation titled “Landslide mapping and identification of old landslide dams along the Indus River in Pakistan, using GIS Techniques,” at the 55th Annual Mtg of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, in Salt Lake City, Sept 15-23, 2012.
2009 Douglas R. Piteau Outstanding Young Member Award of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists to Briget C. Doyle, Ph.D., for her professional contributions to the practice of engineering and environmental geology.
2007 Richard W. Lemke Award of the AEG Foundation and $200 award to Deniz Karadeniz for Best Student Presentation at the 2007 annual meeting of the Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists for his lecture titled: Site-Amplification Maps for the Granite City and Monks Mound Quadrangles, St. Louis, Missouri and Illinois
2006 Two Platinum Corporate Sponsor Awards of $500 each to Conor Watkins for his abstracts titled Analysis of Composite Landslides in Flay Lying Sedimentary Strata and The Buford Peak and Secret Springs Mountain Landslides, Two Enormous Megalandslides in the Western United States at the 49th Annual Mtg of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists, Boston, Oct 31-Nov 3, 2006.
2006 Outstanding Student Presentation award to Conor Watkins for presentation titled Analysis of composite landslides in flat-lying sedimentary strata at the 40th North Central Section Meeting of the Geological Society of America, Akron, OH, April 20-22, 2006.
2005 Norman R. Tilford Field Study Scholarship Award ($1000) of the Association of Engineering Geologists for the Graduate Division was bestowed upon Conor M. Watkins, one of my Ph.D. students at UMR.
2003 Professional Student Paper Award of the Association of Engineering Geologists to Briget C. Doyle for article Seismically-Induced Lateral Spread Features in the Western New Madrid Seismic Zone. Ms. Doyle was my first doctoral candidate at UMR.
Service on Missouri S&T thesis committees in progress
Ajay Hamasukwa M.S. candidate in geophysical engineering, expected graduation May 2017, Application of Ground Penetrating Radar: Locating old graves at the St. James Veteran's cemetery.
James Lee Bunch, D.Eng. candidate in geological engineering, expected graduation in Dec 2017, Impact of US Army Corps of Engineers Water Release Decisions on the Water Quality of Tumbling Creek Cave stream.
Shishay T. Kidanu, Ph.D. candidate in geological engineering, expected graduation in Dec 2017. “Investigation of Influencing Factors and Formation Mechanisms of Sinkholes in Greene County, Missouri: Application of GIS and Geophysical Techniques.”
Muhammad Usman Khan, Ph.D. candidate in mining engineering, expected graduation in May 2018. “Realtime Diesel Particulate Matter (DPM) Monitoring in Underground Mine Atmospheres and Establishing the Correlation with NIOSH 5040 Method.”
Yunxin Peng, Ph.D. candidate in geophysics, expected graduation in Dec. 2018. “Crustal Structure beneath the Eastern Tibetan Plateau from Receiver Functions.”
Olufeyisayo B. Ilesanmi, Ph.D. candidate in geology & geophysics, expected graduation Dec 2018. “Predictive Geohazard mapping using LiDAR.”
Kerry Allen Magner, Ph.D. candidate in geotechnical engineering, expected graduation unknown. Critical Hydromechanical Stress and Internal Erosion.
Service on Missouri S&T thesis committees - Students who have graduated
Faraj M. Eljabri, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in August 2017. “Geophysical Aspects of Soil & Rock in the New Madrid Seismic Zone.”
Haider H. Dahm, Ph.D. in geology & geophysics, graduated in August 2017. “Receiver Function Imaging of Mantle Transition Zone (MTZ) Discontinuities Beneath Alaska Subduction Zone.”
Diya Ali Alfuqara, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2017. “2-D and 3-D Mapping of Soil and Rock in Karst Areas.”
Miraiam Salem Aliebayat, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2017. “Rockfall Ver. 5 versus CRSP for predicting rockfall parameters.”
Atiat Alsaaideh, Ph.D. candidate in geological engineering, graduated in May 2017. “Evaluation of a Former Flyash Landfill in Southwest Missouri Using (ERT and MASW) Non-Invasive Technologies.”
Ghassan Salem Alsulaimani, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2017. “Acquisition of Active Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Wave (MASW) Data in Karst Terrain.”
Cory Reed, Ph.D. in geology & geophysics, graduated in May 2017. Layered Crustal and Mantle Structure and Anisotropy beneath the Afar Depression and Malawi Rift Zone.
Elnaz Siami-Irdemoosa, Ph.D. in Geophysical engineering, graduated in Dec 2016. “Dissolution-enlarged fractures imaging using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT).”
Stanley Nwokebuihe, Ph.D. in geophysical engineering, graduated in Dec 2016. “The Use of Geophysical Methods for Dam Seepage Investigations and Dredged Oyster Deposit Characterization.”
Mengxing Li, Ph.D. in geophysical engineering, graduated in Dec 2016, “In-situ assessment of concrete bridge decks and pavements using stress-wave based methods.”
Bin B. Yang, Ph.D. in geology & geophysics, graduated in August 2016. Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Dynamics beneath the Central and Western United States.
Fernando Callejas, D.Eng in geotechnical engineering, graduated in May 2016. Geotechnical State-of the Art in Guatemala - Ground Stabilization.
Abhishek Kodi, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2016. “Imaging Reinforced Concrete – a comparative study.”
Jeremiah Chukwunonso Obi, Ph.D. in geophysical engineering, graduated in May 2016. Geophysical Imaging of Karst Features in Missouri.
Aleksandra V. Varnavina, Ph.D. in geophysical engineering, graduated in December 2015, Non-Destructive and Destructive Bridge Deck Condition Assessment.
Adel Mohamed Elkrry, Ph.D. in geophysical engineering, graduated in December 2015, Non-Invasive Imaging and Assessment of Pavements.
Abdulrahman M. Alotaibi, Ph.D. in geophysical engineering, graduated in December 2015. Imaging Beneath Standing Bodies of Water in Karst Terrain.
Yasir Helal Alghamdi, M.S. in mining engineering, graduated in December 2015. Detecting Diesel Particulate Matter Using Real Time Monitoring Under the Influence of an Exhaust Fan System.
Xin Kang, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in December 2015. Study of Organically Modified Fly Ash-Soil Mixtures.
Wasim Kayani, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in August 2015. Shape Based Classification and Functional Forecast of Traffic Flow Profiles.
Uchenna Chibuzo Nwafor, M.S. in geophysical engineering, graduated in August 2015, “Optimum Acquisition and Processing Parameters for Multichannel Analysis of Surface Waves Using 3D Electrical Resistivity Tomography as Control.”
Youqiang Yu, Ph.D. in geology & geophysics, graduated in May 2015, Seismological Investigations of the Okavango Rift, Botswana.
Nathan Rohrbaugh, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2015, A new technique for modeling the geomorphology of a slow-moving, soft-slope landslide using terrestrial LiDAR.
Audai Theinat, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2015. 3D Numerical Modeling of Micropile Interaction with Soil and Rock.
Solomon Cherrie, Ph.D. in geology & geophysics, graduated in May 2015. Shear wave splitting analysis in Tien Shan: Geodynamic implications of complex anisotropy.
Abdullah Ayed Al-Otaibi, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2015, Determining rockfall volumes in three sites along Habs Mountain Road in southwestern Saudi Arabia, using LiDAR Technology.
Dennis Duru M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in August 2014, Effects of grain properties and compaction on Single-tool normal indentation of granular materials.
Azupuri A. Kaba M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in August 2014, Effects of loading rate and water saturation on the behavior of Rubidoux Sandstone.
Brian T. Burch M.S. in explosives engineering, graduated in August 2014, Determining and Mitigating the Effects of Firing a Linear Shaped Charge Underwater.
Liang Xue M.S. in geology and geophysics, graduated in August 2014. A Remote Sensing Investigation of Elevated Sub-Horizontal Topographic Surfaces in the Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma.
Yovanna Cortes Di Lena, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2014. Performance Assessment of Capture Zones Generated by PV Powered Pump and Treat Systems.
Ahmed Abdalla M Elsheikh Ph.D. in geology & geophysics, graduated in May 2014. Seismic Anisotropy and Mantle Flow beneath Africa and Arabia.
Ghassan Salem Alsulaimani, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2014. Comparison of Core Drilling and Geophysical Investigations, Silica Sand Deposits, Dawmat Al Jandal, Al Jawf at Saudi Arabia.
Matthew G. Stuckmeyer, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2014. Two Driven Pile Load Tests for use in Missouri LFRD Guidelines.
Emitt C. Witt, III, Ph.D. in geology & geophysics, graduated in December 2013. Geochemical Phases, Mobility, and Isotopic Signature of Pb in Road Dust in Missouri’s Pb-Producing Region.
Devin T. Dixon, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2013, Monitoring Micropile Foundations of Bridge During Construction.
Nicholas T. Rocco, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in Dec 2012, Characterization and Low Strain Dynamic Properties of Soil Modified with Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) Particles
Travis Kassebaum, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in Aug 2012, Using LiDAR as a Monitoring Device to calculate Volume of Rockfill Over Time
James N. A. Otoo, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in Aug 2012, Surface Expressions of Discontinuities, and the Estimation of their 3-D Orientations using LiDAR and Optical Imaging.
Muhammad Zubair Abu Bakar Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in Aug 2012, Rock Saturation Effects on Mechanical Excavatability of Sandstone.
Jeremiah C. Obi, M.S. in geophysical engineering, graduated in May 2012, The Use of Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) to delineate voids near a bridge foundation.
Site Onyejekwe, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in Dec 2011, Characterization of Soil Vulnerability for Reliability-Based Design.
Bingzhu Wang, Ph.D. in geology and geophysics, graduated in Aug 2011. Spline Method for High-Resolution Receiver Function Calculations from Broadband Teleseismic Waveforms.
Mohamed K. Zobaa, Ph.D. in paleontology, graduated in Aug 2011, Applied Palynology: Multidisciplinary case Studies from Egypt, Gulf of Mexico, and the USA.
Shuying Wang, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2011, Postcyclic Behavior of Low-Plasticity Silt at Full and Limited Liquefaction Triaxial Compression Testing.
Kerry Allen Magner M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2010, Characterization of Geotechnical Variability Based Upon Sampling Frequency.
Iai Masafumi, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2010, Models for Excavation of Heterogeneous Lunar Soils.
Oleg Kovin, Ph.D. in applied geophysics, graduated in Dec 2010, Ground Penetrating Radar Investigations in Upper Kama Potash Mines
Khalid Mohd Saleh Ahmad, Ph.D. in geophysics, graduated in May 2010, Investigating the Source of Thermal Anomalies in the Northern United Arab Emirates (UAE) Desert Using Geophysical Methods.
Kermit N. Applegate, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2010. Evaluation of Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Spreading Methods in the Midwest.
Megan Hart, Ph.D. in Geological Engineering, graduated in Dec 2009, Membrane properties of Intact Rock Cores of Burlington Limestone, Jefferson Dolomite, Darrington Phyllite, and Low Permeability Concrete.
Moikwathai ‘Dax’ Moidaki, Ph.D. in geology, graduated in May 2009. Crustal Modification by Tectonic Events and Upper Mantle Anisotropy beneath the Midcontinent Rift and the New Madrid Seismic Zone: Insights from receiver function studies and teleseismic shear wave splitting.
Tambra L. Eiffert, Ph.D. in geology, graduated in May 2009. The Cretaceous-Paleogene Transition in the Northern Mississippi Embayment, Southeast Missouri: Playnology, Micropaleontology, and Evidence of a Mega-Tsunami.
Wendy L. Moore, M.S. in civil engineering (structures), graduated in Aug 2008. Impacts of fire damage on capacity of reinforced and posttensioned concrete bridges.
Iana Muchaidze, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated in Aug 2008. Geophysical Interpretations in Karst Terrains.
Andrew J. Wilding, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2008, Development of a GIS-Based Seismic Hazard Screening Tool.
Ali Mohammad Izadi, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2008, Liquefaction and Postliquefaction Behavior of Low Plasticity Silts Using Cyclic Triaxial Testing.
Adam F. Sevi, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2008, Physical Modeling of Railroad ballast Using the Parallel Gradation Scaling Technique within a Cyclical Triaxial Testing Framework.
Honghua Zhao, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2007, Transparent Soils and Particle Image Velocimetry in Dynamic Soil-Structure Interaction Research
Sandhya Harikrishna, M.S. in geological engineering, graduated Dec 2006, A New Approach for Categorizing Sand Blows
Rachel Mudd, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in Dec 2006, Field Exploration of Liquefaction in silts
Anthony D. Buccellato, M.S. in applied geophysics, graduated in May 2006, Geophysical investigation of mine tailings at St.Joe State Park, graduated in summer 2006.
Ali Mohammad Izadi, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in Aug 2006, Behavior of Undrained Monotonically Loaded Low Plasticity Silt Under Triaxial Compression
Thanop Thitimakorn, Ph.D. in applied geophysics, graduated in Dec 2005, A Comprehensive Shear-Wave Velocity Study in The Poplar Bluff Area, Southeast Missouri.
Cheng-Ping Jiang, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in Aug 2005, Soil Suction and Swell Behavior of Chemical Treated Expansive Clays
Wanxing Liu, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2005, Seismic Site Response of Deep Soil and Embankments in the New Madrid Seismic Zone
Rosanna M. Saindon, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2004, Relevance of Membrane Properties of Clay-Rich Geologic Materials to Water Related Engineering Issues
Peter G. Oduor, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in May 2004, Transient Modeling and Experimental Verification of Hyperfiltration Effects
Kenneth W. McDonald, Ph.D. in geological engineering, graduated in Dec 2003, Military Foot Traffic Impact on Soil Erosion Properties at the United States Military Academy – A Multiscale Analysis
Ahmed M. Ismail, Ph.D. applied geophysics, graduated in Dec 2003, Geophysical, Hydrological, and Archaeological Investigation in the East Bank Area of Luxor – Southern Egypt
Rachel Schiller, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in Dec 2003, Design Methods for Helical Piers
Houda Jadi, Ph.D. in civil engineering, graduated in May 2003, Characterization and Modeling of Paleoliquefaction Features in Missouri
Adam F. Sevi, M.S. in civil engineering, graduated in Dec 2002, Geotechnical Investigation of Sandstone Degradation of Antiquities in Luxor, Egypt
Students supervised – Missouri S&T’s Opportunity for Undergraduate Research Experience (OURE) program
Katherine Stockdale, 2010-11, Mapping the Geology of Proffit Mountain and Johnsons Shut-ins exposed by the Dec 2005 Taum Sauk Upper Reservoir Failure.
Conor M. Watkins, 2002-03, Design Evolution of Earth Dams and Case Histories of Earth Dam Failures
Sarat Dontula, 2001-02, Development of AutoCAD protocol for development of seismic ground displacement nomograms
Karen M. Regan 2001-02, Feasibility of Expansive Clay Stabilization using High Pressure Lime Injection