Research
Research Interests: Landscape Evolution, Thermochronology, Remote Sensing, Geochronology, Tectonic Geomorphology, Karst Geomorphology, Structures & Earth System-Environment-Human Interactions & Geomorphology in the Anthropocene
Research Interests: Landscape Evolution, Thermochronology, Remote Sensing, Geochronology, Tectonic Geomorphology, Karst Geomorphology, Structures & Earth System-Environment-Human Interactions & Geomorphology in the Anthropocene
My research investigates landscape evolution through geologic time from the complex interplay among tectonics, erosion, surface and subsurface processes, climate, and environmental impacts, to address the grand challenges of the earth-systems feedback problem. The research tools I am using include low-temperature thermochronology from igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks, geochronology of igneous (mostly granites and volcanic rocks) rocks, quantitative and environmental geomorphology, karst geomorphology, field, and lab-based structural modeling, thin section petrography and electron microscopic analysis, and GIS and remote sensing digital image processing. My study area includes geologically diverse places like the Ethiopian Plateau in East Africa, the world’s longest continental rift, and the cradle of the early human evolution, the Himalayas (one of the world’s highest mountain ranges), the Bengal Basin, and foreland basins, various regions of the USA, and the Red Planet Mars. Motivated undergraduate and graduate students interested to learn more about my research and funding opportunities, contact me for more information.
Motivated students, contact me if you are interested to conduct a Master's thesis research and undergraduate research and becoming part of my research team.
Motivated students, contact me if you are interested to conduct a Master's thesis research and undergraduate research and becoming part of my research team.
Ongoing Research
Ongoing Research
Low-temperature (U-Th)/He and Fission Track thermochronology to investigate the evolution of the Ethiopian Plateau, East Africa
Low-temperature (U-Th)/He and Fission Track thermochronology to investigate the evolution of the Ethiopian Plateau, East Africa
Funding: Different aspects of this research was funded by ACS-PRF, NSF (0964876), Louisiana Board of Regent (LEQSF(2010-13)-RD-A-17) and Western Kentucky University RCAP I (14-8056)
Publication examples: Gani et al., 2023, Journal of African earth Sciences; Bowden et al., 2022, Geological Journal; Gani and Gani, 2011, Nature Communication; Gani and Gani 2008, Geotimes; Gani et al., 2007, GSA Today (COVER ARTICLE).; Gani and Abdelsalam, 2006, JAES. See Publications list
Tectonic Geomorphology of the Ethiopian Plateau, East Africa
Funded by: National Science Foundation Tectonic Geomorphology of the Ethiopian Plateau, East Africa
Publications: Gani and Neupani, 2018, Geological Journal; Gani 2015, AJGSee Publications list
Structural, stratigraphic and environmental investigations in East Africa
Funded by: National Science Foundation Structural, stratigraphic and environmental investigations in East Africa
Publication: Gani et al., 2009, Geological Journal.See Publications list
Zircon U-Pb Geochronology of the basement rocks on the Ethiopian Plateau, East Africa
Funded by: Partially ACS-PRFZircon U-Pb Geochronology of the basement rocks on the Ethiopian Plateau, East Africa
Publication: Bowden et al., 2020 Precambrian Research.See Publications list
Tectonic Geomorphology of the Fold and Thrust Belt of the Bengal Basin
Funding: Partial funding from WKU RCAP GrantTectonic Geomorphology of the Fold and Thrust Belt of the Bengal Basin
Publication: Gani and Shrestha, 2023, Geological Journal.See Publications list
Geochronology and petrography of the Ethiopian Plateau volcanic rocks, East African Rift system: An environmental perspective
Funded by: Board of Regent Louisiana (LEQSF(2010-13)-RD-A-17) National Science Foundation and WKU FUSEGeochronology and petrography of the Ethiopian Plateau volcanic rocks, East African Rift system: An environmental perspective
Quantifying Land Subsidence from InSAR Data Analysis, Bangladesh
Funding: Partial support from WKU RCAP GrantQuantifying Land Subsidence from InSAR Data Analysis, Bangladesh
Detrital thermochronology, petrography, and quantitative geomorphology, Nepalese Himalaya
Funded by: WKU RCAP I (14-8055)Detrital thermochronology, petrography, and quantitative geomorphology, Nepalese Himalaya
Publication Example: Bhattarai and Gani, 2021. Journal of Mountain Sciences.See Publications list
Muti-spectral remote sensing analysis and machine learning for critical mineral investigation, California
Funded by: WKU RCAP I grantMuti-spectral remote sensing analysis and machine learning for critical mineral investigation, California
Geologic mapping of lithology and structures in the Olmstead Quadrangle in Kentucky from integrated multi-sensor remote sensing spectral image analysis, machine learning, and field investigation
Funded by: USGS EDMAP (G23AS00051) Geologic mapping of lithology and structures in the Olmstead Quadrangle in Kentucky from integrated multi-sensor remote sensing spectral image analysis, machine learning, and field investigation
Detailed Geologic Mapping of the complex structures and bedrock outcrops, 7.5’ McDaniels Quadrangle, Rough Creek Graben, Kentucky
Funded by: USGS EDMAP (G20AC00135) Detailed Geologic Mapping of the complex structures and bedrock outcrops, 7.5’ McDaniels Quadrangle, Rough Creek Graben, Kentucky
Mesoscale structural analysis within the ancient graben-system in central North America
Funded by: WKU FUSE Mesoscale structural analysis within the ancient graben-system in central North America
Publication Example: Gani et al., 2021. Results in Geophysical Sciences.See Publications list
Tectonic Activity Inventory using geomorphic indices in a karst landscape, Kentucky
Funded by: WKU RCAP grant, NSF KY EPSCoR grantTectonic Activity Inventory using geomorphic indices in a karst landscape, Kentucky
Petrography, provenance, river geomorphic analysis, and modeling to investigate deformation and neotectonic activity in the eastern Fold and Thrust Belt of the Bengal Basin
Petrography, provenance, river geomorphic analysis, and modeling to investigate deformation and neotectonic activity in the eastern Fold and Thrust Belt of the Bengal Basin
Understanding tectonic processes from the spatial distribution patterns of the geologic structures on Mars
Understanding tectonic processes from the spatial distribution patterns of the geologic structures on Mars
Geomorphic proxy analysis of recent rivers, coastal Louisiana
Funded by: WKU RCAP grantGeomorphic proxy analysis of recent rivers, coastal Louisiana
Collaborative Research: Shallow-marine and fluvial reservoir analog, Utah (Virtual outcrop models for complex sand body geometry)
Collaborative Research: Shallow-marine and fluvial reservoir analog, Utah (Virtual outcrop models for complex sand body geometry)
