Led by Derek Elsworth, Shimin Liu, and Chris Marone.
Cross-Departmental Rock & Fluid Physics Research
Earthquake nucleation and recurrence, the triggering and timing of volcanic eruptions, the recovery of hydrocarbons from tight reservoirs, and the generation of submarine landslides are all influenced by the interaction of rocks and fluids.
Understanding these relationships is a key component of our ability to:
Funded Opportunities Available Now
By integrating activities in rock and fluid physics through laboratory experimentation, field observation, and theoretical analysis, a Penn State degree earned through G3 prepares you for a rewarding career in academics, government or industry.
Our graduates are in high-demand both for competitive faculty positions and lucrative, interdisciplinary industry jobs.
Ph.D., Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2020
Guijie is a Research Associate in Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. Learn more about Guijie Sang.
Ph.D., Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2019
Long is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mining and Mineral Engineering at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Learn more about Long Fan.
Ph.D., Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2019
Chaoyi is a former postdoc at Purdue and now a Research Associate at the University of Calgary, Canada. Learn more about Chayoi Wang.
Ph.D., Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2019
KJ is a Research Associate at Caltech Learn more about Kyungjae Im.
Ph.D., Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2018
Brandon is an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering at Penn State. He was awarded the American Rock Mechanics Association N.G.W. Cook Award (2020). Learn more about Brandon Schwartz.
Ph.D., Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2017
Yi is a data scientist and formerly an assistant professor at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and postdoc in Geosciences at The University of Texas at Austin. He was runner-up: International Society for Rock Mechanics Rocha Medal (2020). Learn more about Yi Fang.
Ph.D., Department of Energy & Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2017
Yi as an assistant professor with the School of Energy and Mining Engineering, China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing, China.
Ph.D., Geosciences / Penn State, 2016
Andy is a senior research scientist with Chevron.
Ph.D., Geomechanics / Penn State, 2015
MS, Petroleum Engineering / Penn State, 2012
Quan is a professor at Chongqing University, China. . Learn more about Quan Gan.
Ph.D., Rock Mechanics & Geophysics / Penn State, 2014
Marco is an associate professor at Sapienza, University of Rome, where he was previously a postdoctoral Marie-Curie Fellow. Learn more about Marco Scuderi.
Ph.D., Energy and Geo-Environmental Engineering / Penn State, 2014
Josh is a research geophysicist with the U.S. Geological Survey. Previously he was a research scientist with the Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany.
Ph.D., Energy and Mineral Engineering / Penn State, 2014
Shugang is a geomechanics research scientist with Chevron.
Ph.D., Marine Hydrogeology / Penn State, 2013
Rachel is an associate professor in the Department of Geoscience at the University of Calgary. She was previously a postdoctoral researcher at UC Santa Cruz. Learn more about Rachel Lauer.
Ph.D., Geosciences / Penn State, 2012
Brett is an assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma where he was previously a postdoctoral researcher. Learn more about Brett Carpenter.
Ph.D., Geosciences / Penn State, 2010
Matt is a research associate at Universität Bremen, Germany. Learn more about Matt Ikari.
Ph.D., Geological Sciences / University of Texas, Austin, 2011
M.S., Geosciences / Penn State, 2007
Audrey is an associate professor in the School of Earth Sciences at The Ohio State University. Previously she was an assistant professor at the University of Kentucky and a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Delaware. Learn more about Audrey Sawyer.
Post-doctoral Researcher 2006-2009
Andre is an associate professor at the Universiteit Utrecht, Netherlands.
Ph.D., Geosciences / Penn State, 2008
Patrick is an assistant professor and Sesquicentennial Fellow, Cornell University. He was previously assistant professor of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M University. Learn more about Patrick Fulton.
Ph.D., Soil Mechanics & Hydrogeology / Penn State, 2007
Hui is a petroleum system analyst with ConocoPhillips. He previously worked for ExxonMobil in a variety of analysis and research roles.
Ph.D., Geosciences / Penn State, 2007
Heather is an associate professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Previously she completed postdoctoral research positions at the University of California, Santa Cruz and was associate professor, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Columbia University. Learn more about Heather Savage.
Ph.D., Engineering / Penn State, 2005
Hide is a professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Ehime University, Japan.
G3 Opportunities are Waiting for You!
Our Ph.D. research opportunities encompass a broad-range of projects that all integrate the study of the interaction of rocks and fluids.
Whether through laboratory experiments, field observations, theoretical analysis, mathematical modeling, or all of the above, G3 Ph.D. research have real-world applications towards geo-hazards and geo-environmental issues.
Explore our faculty research projects and contact us to start a dialogue!
State-of-the-Art Laboratories
We’re looking forward to meeting you.
We’re looking forward to talking with all potential G3 Ph.D. candidates. We feel that the program offered through G3 at Penn State stands alone in offering you an interdepartmental experience in rock and fluid physics.
Email one of the faculty. Ask some questions, start a dialogue, then come for a visit.
Ph.D., Engineering / University of California, Berkeley
Ph.D., Engineering Science / Southern Illinois University
Ph.D., Geophysics / Columbia University
Mathematics & Materials Science and Engineering
Petroleum Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Energy and Mineral Engineering
Civil Engineering
Energy and Mineral Engineering
Energy and Mineral Engineering
Energy and Mineral Engineering
Energy and Mineral Engineering
Geosciences
Civil Engineering
Engineering Science and Mechanics
Energy and Mineral Engineering
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Earth and Mineral Sciences Technician
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Geosciences
