People

Want to join the group? See the current Research Opportunities.

As a research team we are committed to open and deep collaboration with national and international colleagues, and having a diverse team with many different nationalities. Prospective researchers from non-traditional backgrounds and/or countries that are trying to develop their nations competence in seismic hazards are particularly encouraged to consider joining the team.

PhD/Masters students:

Mike Dupuis, 2019-present mike.dupuis@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Simulation of subduction earthquakes to determine structural demand hazard

Mike obtained his BSc (Civil Engineering) from Queen's University and MASc (Seismic Engineering) from the University of British Columbia. He has 7 years experience as a structural engineer with RJC and BC Hydro in Vancouver, Canada

More about Mike here.

Sarah Neill, 2019-present sarah.neill@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Uncertainty quantification and propagation in simulation-based ground motion prediction and seismic hazard analysis

Sarah obtained her BE(Hons) from the University of Auckland in 2010, after which she worked as a consulting engineer for Beca in Auckland till 2016. She then moved to California to undertake an MSc at UC Berkeley which she completed in 2017. She then worked at Holmes Structures in San Francisco before returning to NZ to commence a PhD.

Claudio Schill, 2019-present claudio.schill@canterbury.ac.nz

(PhD student and part-time Senior Software Engineer)

Topic: Applications of machine learning in seismic hazard analysis

Claudio completed his BSc (Computer Science, Physics) in 2013 at the University of Canterbury. Has three years of commercial software development experience and is currently finishing up his Masters of Science (Physics). Interested in Machine Learning, Algorithm and Science.

Ayushi Tiwari, 2022-present ayushi.tiwari@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Advancing predictability of physics-based ground-motion simulations in New Zealand: Empirical and theoretical modelling advancements.

Ayushi obtained her B.Tech in Civil Eng. from NIT Trichy, India in 2016, and M.S. in Geotechnical Eng. from UT Austin in 2018. She has subsequently worked for Golder Associates (Atlanta) and the National Geophysical Research Institute in Hyderabad, India. Her research experience includes pulse-based characterization of strong ground motions, seismic hazard analysis, and assessment and characterization of induced earthquakes.

Juan Jose Sepulveda Garcia, 2023-present juanjose.sepulvedagarcia@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: TBC

Juan Jose obtained his BSc (Civil Engineering) and MEng (Geotechnics) from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia in 2017 and 2021, respectively. His research experiences have been related to the explicit handling of uncertainties and the evaluation of dependences of random variables in geotechnical engineering. He also has nearly four years of experience as a geotechnical engineering consultant in different cities of Colombia.

Jaehwi Kim, 2024-present jaehwi.kim@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Improvements and Updates to the Vs30 Map and Seismic Velocity Model in New Zealand

Jaehwi Kim obtained his BSc in Civil Engineering and MSc in Civil Engineering from Changwon National University in 2021 and 2023, respectively. His research experience has focused on the characterization of site dynamic properties using geophysical exploration methods. He is interested in physics-based ground motion simulation as well as seismic hazard assessment and analysis.

Aaron Rampersad, 2024 – present aaron.rampersad@pg.canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Creating a physics-based understanding of the spatial correlation of earthquake-induced ground motions in regions of complex geology

Aaron obtained his BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of the West Indies, Trinidad in 2016 where his thesis was recognized for the work on the Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Assessment of Trinidad and Tobago. He then spent two years working in the construction industry as a site engineer, then 3 years working on Civil and Structural designs. He then obtained his MSc (Distinction) in Soil Mechanics with Engineering Seismology from Imperial College, London in 2022, with a thesis on the cyclic behaviour of monopiles supporting wind turbines. He returned to the consulting industry as a registered engineer (REng) for two years before moving to New Zealand to undertake his PhD.

Jefferson Piedrahita, 2025–present

Topic: Seismic hazard analysis based on ground motion simulations with explicit parameter uncertainties

Jefferson obtained his BSc (Civil Engineering) from Universidad Tecnológica de Bolívar (Colombia) in 2018, and his MSc (Civil Engineering) from Universidad del Norte (Colombia) in 2022. His master’s thesis focused on developing a mesh-independent model to predict the compressive strain capacity of reinforced concrete shear wall boundary elements.

He has several years of experience as an Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering and as an independent structural engineering consultant. His research has included nonlinear modeling of reinforced concrete and confined masonry structures in OpenSees, seismic fragility and vulnerability assessment, and participation in the Colombian National Seismic Risk Model project. Jefferson has presented his work at major international conferences such as the World Conference on Earthquake Engineering (17WCEE, 18WCEE) and has published in peer-reviewed journals

Postdoctoral fellows / Research Associates / Software Engineers:

Chris de la Torre, 2018-present christopher.delatorre@canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Incorporating soil non-linearity into physics-based ground motion simulation through site-specific ground response analysis (UC PhD 2018-2021; Postdoc 2021-2023: Research fellow 2023-present)

Chris obtained his BSc(Civil) from UC Berkeley and MSc(GeotechEng) from U Washington. At UW, he worked to identify liquefaction triggering based on the ground motion frequency content evolution. He also has three years experience as a consultant in Seattle, Washington.

Morteza Abbasnejadfard, 2024-present morteza.abbasnejadfard@canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Spatial correlation of simulated and recorded ground motions

Morteza completed his BSc in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering) at the University of Tabriz in 2011, and his MSc in Earthquake Engineering at the University of Tehran in 2014. He earned his PhD in Earthquake Engineering from the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES), and conducted research on seismic risk and resilience assessment, seismic hazard assessment with a special focus on spatial correlation of earthquake intensity measures, and development of vulnerability functions for buildings and infrastructure systems. He has also been a senior structural engineer with over 10 years of experience in the consulting engineering sector.

Cesar Pajaro, 2024-present cesar.pajaromiranda@canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Physics-based ground-motion simulation - validation and forward application

Cesar completed both his BSc and PhD in Civil Engineering at the Universidad del Norte in 2017 and 2024, respectively. Before pursuing his PhD, he conducted research on the use of Bayesian techniques to infer Vs profiles and soil non-linear behavior. During his PhD, his research focused on developing region-specific empirical ground motion models (GMM) for Northern South America. Additionally, he has been involved in the development of the national seismic risk model of Colombia, particularly focusing on ground motion records selection and seismic hazard. Cesar also has experience in conducting site response analysis and liquefaction susceptibility assessment in Colombia.

Felipe Kuncar, 2021-present felipe.kuncar@canterbury.ac.nz

Topic: Modeling site effects in ground-motion simulation

(UC PhD 2021-2025; Postdoc 2025-present)

Felipe's research lies at the intersection of geotechnical earthquake engineering and engineering seismology. He holds a PhD in Earthquake Engineering from the University of Canterbury and a BSc and MSc in Civil Engineering from Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María (Valparaíso, Chile). He has conducted research stays at Virginia Tech and the University of Arizona in the United States. Prior to his PhD, Felipe worked for several years as a Project Engineer in Chile, contributing to a wide range of geotechnical engineering projects nationwide.

Sung Bae, 2017-present sung.bae@canterbury.ac.nz

(Specialized Software Engineer)

Sung obtained his B.Sc and Ph.D in Computer Science (algorithm research) from the University of Canterbury. He spent a number of years in software industry, and worked as a supercomputing consultant and scientific programmer for New Zealand eScience Infrastructure (NeSI) since 2012. Sung leads the strategic direction of QuakeCoREs simulation and data visualization platform for the development, parallelization, testing, and optimization of scientific software

Joel Ridden, 2021-present joel.ridden@canterbury.ac.nz

(Software Engineer)

Joel completed his BE (Software Engineering) with Honours in 2020 from the University of Canterbury. He previously spent some time doing an internship in the software industry for BDO. Interested in Algorithms, Science and Software Applications.

Jake Faulker, 2024-present jake.faulkner@canterbury.ac.nz

(Software Engineer)

Jake completed his BSc in Computer Science and MSc in Mathematics from the University of Canterbury. He has prior software experience through his internship at Verizon Connect. Jake is interested in applications of Mathematics, Machine Learning, and theoretical topics in Algebra and Geometry.

Andrew Ridden-Harper, 2024-present andrew.ridden-harper@canterbury.ac.nz

(Senior Software Engineer)

Andrew obtained a BSc in physics (2012) and a BSc with first-class honours in astrophysics (2013) from the University of Canterbury; followed by a PhD in astrophysics at Leiden University, the Netherlands (2018); and a postdoctoral fellowship at Cornell University and Las Cumbres Observatory (New York, USA). In his astrophysics research, Andrew developed physics-based simulations for high-performance computers, and sophisticated data analysis techniques. Now, Andrew is excited to apply his technical skills to the field of earthquake engineering.

Past group members:

Chuanbin Zhu, 2022-2024

Research Fellow

Currently: Assistant Professor, Northumbria University

Vahid Loghman, 2017-2023

Ground motion simulation validation via response of complex structures (PhD)

Vahid obtained his BSc (Civil Eng) from Isfahan University of Technology in 2001 and MSc (Eq. Eng) from Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic) in 2013. His previous research has concentrated on the seismic behaviour of friction base-isolated structure. He has more than 15 years' experience as a professional structural engineer in Iran.

James Patterson, 2019-2023

Software Engineer

Currently: Software Engineer, Seequent, Christchurch

Jason Motha, 2018-2022

Senior Software Engineer

Currently: Senior Data Manager, Child Wellbeing Research Institute, University of Canterbury

Jesse Hutchinson, 2021-2022

Postdoctoral Fellow, Development of a New Zealand Ground Motion Database

Currently: Seismologist, Ocean Networks Canada

Tom Son, 2021-2022

Software Engineer

Currently:

Andrew Stolte, 2018-2022

Postdoctoral Fellow / Field-testing engineer

Currently: Lecturer, University of Auckland

Jonney Huang, 2018-2021

Software Engineer

Currently: Operations Development Specialist, HPCNow!

Viktor Polak, 2016-2021

Senior Software Engineer

Currently: Lead developer, TracMap

Kevin Foster, 2017-2022

Topic: A New Zealand Vs30 model incorporating regional geology, topography and site-specific measurements (PhD).

Currently: Tonkin and Taylor, Christchurch

Andrei Nguyen, 2018-2020

Topic: Full waveform tomography of New Zealand for broadband ground motion simulation (postdoc)

Karim Tarbali, 2014-2018

Topic: Ground motion selection for seismic response analysis (PhD); Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis using simulation-based ground motion modelling in New Zealand (postdoc)

Currently: Lecturer, University of Paris

Melody Zhu, 2018-2021

Software Engineer

Currently: Software Engineer, IAG, Christchurch

Robin Lee, 2013-2019

Topic: A 3D seismic velocity model for Canterbury, New Zealand for broadband ground motion simulation (PhD); Ground motion simulation validation of Mw>3.5 New Zealand earthquakes since 2003 (postdoc)

Currently: Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury

Ethan Thomson, 2014-2019

Topic: Near-surface characterization of the Canterbrury Plains and hybrid broadband simulation of the effects of Alpine, Hope and Porters Pass ruptures on Canterbury

Currently: Software Engineer, Air New Zealand

Jagdish Vyas, 2017-2018

Topic: Ground motion simulation of complex multi-fault ruptures with uncertianties

Currently: KAUST

Xavier Bellagamba, 2016-2019

Thesis: Machine learning-supported and data-driven enhancements of distributed infrastructure seismic resilience. PhD Thesis, University of Canterbury. 2019. (UC Repository) (PDF)

Currently: Quantitative Financial Risk Consultant, Ernst&Young, Zurich

Sharmila Savarimuthu, 2017-2019

Software Engineer

Currently: Software Developer, Geospatial Research Institute

Daniel Lagrava, 2016-2018

Specialist Scientific Programmer

Currently: Software Engineer, NIWA, Christchurch

Seokho Jeong, 2014-2017

Topic: 3D basin-edge and topographic effects on ground motion in the Canterbury earthquakes

Currently: Assistant Professor, Changwon National University

Hoby Razafindrakoto, 2015-2018

Topic: Ground motion simulation of the Canterbury earthquakes

Currently: Research Scientist, GFZ Potsdam, Germany.

Ahsan Nazer, 2016-2017

Topic: Ground motion simulation of Porters Pass fault earthquakes

Currently: Assistant Professor, Department of Mathematics and Science, American University of Afghanistan.

Reagan Chandramohan, 2016-2017

Topic: Validation of structural modelling techniques and assessment of model uncertainties

Currently: Senior Lecturer, Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury

Chris McGann, 2013-2014

Topic: 3D shear wave velocity characterization of shallow soils in the Canterbury region using a region-specific CPT-Vs correlation (postdoc)

Currently: Associate Professor, Dept. Of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury

Merrick Taylor, 2009-2014

Thesis: The geotechnical characterisation of Christchurch sands for advanced soil modelling (co-supervisor with Misko Cubrinovski)

Currently: Technical Director, BECA, Auckland, NZ

James Kaklamanos, 2009-2012

Thesis: Quantifying uncertainty in earthquake site response models using the KiK-Net database (co-supervisor with Laurie Baise and Eric Thompson, Tufts University)

Currently: Associate Professor, Merrimack College, MA (website)