About me

I am Associate Professor of Tectonics and Structural Geology at the University of Birmingham (UK). My research revolves around the broad field of tectonics in both collisional and extensional settings. I investigate large-scale tectonic processes, with a specific focus on oceanic detachment fault kinematics, subduction initiation mechanisms, and the origin of ophiolites. My main research tools are paleomagnetism, magnetic fabrics, and structural geology. This multidisciplinary approach allow me to perform kinematic and paleogeographic reconstructions and understand how key tectonic processes work. My research has a broad geographic extent that involves fieldwork in the large Neo-Tethyan ophiolite belt (Albania, Greece, Cyprus, Turkey, Oman, and Tibet).

International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP) related research

I have been involved IODP expeditions since 2014. In 2014 I sailed with Expedition 351 - IBM Arc Origins, which studied subduction initiation and arc magmatism in the west Pacific during the formation of the Izu-Bonin-Mariana subduction at ~50 Ma. In 2018 I have participated as a member of the science party in Expedition 381 "Corinth Active Rift Development", which focused on the tectonic and paleoenvironment evolution during the early stages of the Corinth continental rift (Greece). Later on in 2020 I was selected to participate in IODP Expedition 387 "Amazon Margin" but the expedition was cancelled. And lastly, I have just been selected to particpate in IODP3 Expedition 507 "GLACE-NS" taking place in August-September 2027 to investigate the evolution of Pliocene glaciations in northern Europe. 

My interest/expertise areas are:

• Tectono-magmatic evolution of ophiolites from accretion to emplacement; 

• Subduction initiation: kinematics and driving forces;

• Relationship between subduction initiation and upper-plate extension;

• Geodynamics of spreading systems (oceanic detachment faults and oceanic core complexes);

• Kinematics and tectonics of curved mountain belts (oroclines);

• Serpentinization of ultramafic rocks and their magnetic signature;

• Magnetic fabric of sedimentary rocks;

• Magnetostratigrphy;

• Relative paleo-intensity (RPI);