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From Chemical Engineering to Seismic Data: A Geophysicist's Journey

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From Chemical Engineering to Seismic Data: A Geophysicist's Journey
GEOPHYSICSMACHINE LEARNINGSEISMIC DATA

This article delves into the research journey of Dr. Eoghan Totten, a postdoctoral researcher at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies. It highlights his unexpected transition from chemical engineering to geophysics, fueled by his passion for the Earth sciences and the influence of his mother. Dr. Totten's current research focuses on utilizing machine learning techniques to analyze seismic data and gain deeper insights into the Earth's subsurface.

My journey into geophysics began unexpectedly. While initially pursuing chemical engineering at Imperial College London, I found myself drawn to the world of geology and geophysics. My fascination stemmed from observing the joy my fellow students experienced in their studies, coupled with the influence of my mother, a geologist by profession. The switch felt natural, and I delved deeper into the field.

During my third year of undergraduate studies, I had the opportunity to study abroad at the University of California, Berkeley, where I immersed myself in seismology research. This experience solidified my passion for geophysics, leading me to pursue my PhD at the University of Oxford. My research now focuses on leveraging machine learning techniques to unlock new insights from seismic data. We aim to extract as much information about the Earth's subsurface as possible by analyzing seismic waves, which propagate through the solid Earth following earthquakes. These waves interact with diverse materials at various depths, creating complex patterns that machine learning can help decipher. My current project, funded by Research Ireland, involves collaborating with Professor Chris Bean, whose research interests lie in volcanoes. Volcanoes present a particularly challenging environment for seismic modeling due to their highly scattering subsurface. Machine learning holds immense potential for improving our understanding of scattered waves and revealing hidden features within these volcanic regions. Building upon the work of Dr. Gareth O'Brien, my project focuses on developing advanced analysis methods. While fieldwork is not a primary component of this research, we have valuable collaborations with institutes in Iceland and Europe, providing access to expertise that can inform future field applications. One of the biggest challenges in research is effectively communicating our findings to the public. This requires stepping back from the technical details and conveying the broader significance of our work in a way that resonates with a wider audience. Outside of research, I am an avid marathon runner. I've been running since the age of 12 and hold a personal best time of two hours and 16 minutes at the Dublin Marathon in 2019. The running community in Ireland is vibrant and thriving, making it an incredibly motivating and enjoyable experience

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IrishTimes /  🏆 3. in İE

GEOPHYSICS MACHINE LEARNING SEISMIC DATA VOLCANOES RESEARCH

 

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