Research

Research Interests and OverviewMy research explores Landscape Evolution through geologic time, focusing on the interplay of tectonics, erosion, uplift, surface and crustal processes, climate, and environmental impacts. By unraveling the complexities of Earth System Dynamics, and Human-Environment Interactions, I aim to understand geologic processes, critical mineral resources, geohazards such as earthquakes, landslides, and river flooding in geologic time. Some of my study areas include diverse regions such as East Africa, the Himalayas, the Bengal Basin, the USA, and Planet Mars, among others.Methods: AHe/AFT Thermochronology | Zircon U-Pb | Tectonic Geomorphology | InSAR | Remote Sensing + ML | Thin-section & SEM-EDS | Field & AI-based Geologic Mapping | Numerical Modeling.
Join LeGo Lab Research TeamMotivated students interested in either M.S. thesis or undergraduate research project are encouraged to contact me.

Ongoing & Completed ResearchFunding Sources: National Science Foundation (NSF), American Chemical Society PRF (ACS-PRF), KY NSF EPSCoR, United States Geological Survey EDMAP, Louisiana Board of Regent, WKU RCAP & FUSE, OCSE, Chevron

Ongoing - Low-temperature (U-Th)/He and Fission Track thermochronology to investigate the evolution of the Ethiopian Plateau, East AfricaFunded by: Different aspects of this research was funded by ACS-PRF, NSF (0964876), Louisiana Board f Regent (LEQSF(2010-13)-RD-A-17) and Western Kentucky University RCAP I (14-8056)
Publication: Gani et al., 2024, Journal of African earth Sciences (INVITED) ; 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

Ongoing - Tectonic Geomorphology of the Ethiopian Plateau, East AfricaFunded by: Partially funded by NSF (0964876), Louisiana Board f Regent (LEQSF(2010-13)-RD-A-17)
Publication: Gani and Neupani, 2018, Geological Journal; Gani 2015, AJGSee Publications list

Ongoing - Advanced Prospectivity Mapping by geodata integration for Critical Mineral Exploration in Mojave Desert, CaliforniaFunded by: National Science Foundation (EAR: 2432929), partial support from WKU RCAPPublication: Esmaeilzadeh et al,, 2023, IEEE.See Publications list

Ongoing - AI-Driven Geohazard Mapping: Machine Learning, Remote Sensing, and Field-Based Approaches for Earthquake Hazard and Structural Risk in KentuckyFunded by: Funded by KY NSF EPSCoR CLIMBSManuscript: In preparation

Ongoing - Integrating LiDAR remote sensing and microscopic-scale mineralogical analysis for landslides and slope stability investigation in KentuckyFunded by: Funded by KY NSF EPSCoR CLIMBSManuscript: In preparation

Ongoing - Investigating slope-forming materials for landslide hazard, Appalachian Karst Funded by: Funded by WKU FUSEManuscript: In preparation

Ongoing - LiDAR-Based morphometric signatures of sinkholes Kentucky Sinkhole PlainManuscript: In preparation

Completed -Structural, stratigraphic and environmental investigations in East AfricaFunded by: Funded by NSFPublication: Gani et al., 2009, Geological Journal.See Publications list

Completed - Zircon U-Pb Geochronology of the basement rocks on the Ethiopian PlateauFunded by: Partial funding from ACS-PRFPublication: Bowden et al., 2020 Precambrian ResearchSee Publications list

Ongoing - Tectonic Geomorphology of Fold &Thrust Belt, Bengal Basin/Siwalik, HimalayasFunded by: Partial funding from WKU RCAP Grant, WKU RCAP I (14-8055)
Publication: Gani and Shrestha, 2023, Geological Journal; Bhattarai and Gani, 2021. Journal of Mountain Sciences.See Publications list

Ongoing - 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) Publication: Manuscript in review.

Completed - Detailed Geologic Mapping of the complex structures and bedrock outcrops, 7.5’ McDaniels Quadrangle, Rough Creek Graben, Kentucky Funded by: USGS EDMAP (G20AC00135) Manuscript: In preparation.

Ongoing - Quantifying Land Subsidence from InSAR Data Analysis, BangladeshFunded by: Partial support from WKU RCAP GrantPublication: Middleton et al., 2025, Geological Journal.See Publications list

Ongoing - Geochronology, SEM, and petrography of the Ethiopian Plateau volcanic rocks: An environmental perspectiveFunded by: Board of Regent Louisiana (LEQSF(2010-13)-RD-A-17) National Science Foundation and WKU FUSEPublication: Gani and Shrestha, 2023, Geological Journal; Bhattarai and Gani, 2021. Journal of Mountain Sciences.See Publications list

Completed - Mesoscale structural analysis in ancient graben-system, central North America Funded by: WKU FUSEPublication: Gani et al., 2021. Results in Geophysical Sciences.See Publications list

Completed - Tectonic Activity Inventory using geomorphic indices in a karst landscapeFunded by: WKU RCAP grant, NSF KY EPSCoR grantPublication: Gani et al., 2021. Results in Geophysical Sciences.See Publications list

Completed - Petrography, provenance and deformation, eastern Fold and Thrust Belt of the Bengal Basin Funded by: Various small grantsPublication: Gani et al. (in press).

Ongoing - Understanding tectonic processes from the spatial distribution patterns of the geologic structures on MarsFunded by: Various small grantsManuscript: In preparation.

Completed - Evaluating Geomorphic Proxies in Alluvial Rivers of Low-Lying Coastal RegionsFunded by: WKU RCAP grantManuscript: In preparation.

Completed - Collaborative Research: Shallow-marine and fluvial reservoir analog, Utah (Virtual outcrop models for complex sand body geometry)
Funded by: ChevronPublication examples: Sahoo and Gani, 2015See Publications list

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