sTRATAmax Lab

StrataMax (Stratigraphy Maximum) Lab 

• Sedimentary layers filling up a basin are commonly so dynamic that their robust understanding requires novel integration of various types of data in 4D. To tackle this challenge, we developed StrataMax lab, a cutting-edge PC-based workstation lab with 3D visualization capability, to investigate subsurface and outcrop geology in a maximum way. 

Current StrataMax Research Team:

Former graduate (M.S.) students & their placement:

Western Kentucky University:

• Victor Towoju (Graduated Spring 2024, currently a PhD student at Texas A&M).

• Shahriar Shahid (Graduated Summer 2023, currently a Doctoral Fellow at University of Rhode Island).

• Adam Mattson (co-advised with Nahid Gani; graduated fall 2019; employed by Apache)

• Michael Arthur (graduated fall 2018; employed by Exxon).

• Zexuan Wang (graduated summer 2017; employed by Oracle).

University of New Orleans:

• Josiah Hulsey (graduated spring 2016; employed by Shell).

• Rachel Carter (graduated fall 2015; employed by Houston Energy).

• David Cross (graduated fall 2015; employed by Kennecott Copper Mine, Utah).

• Andrew Ranson (graduated spring 2012; employed by Chevron).

• Prabhat Neupane (co-advised with Nahid Gani, graduated fall 2011; currently Instructor at South Texas College, Texas).

• Sean O’Brien (graduated spring 2010; employed by Bureau of Ocean Energy Management).

University of Utah:

• William Gallin (partially advised, 2008; employed by Hess Energy).

Brigham Young University (Utah):

• William Hokanson (partially advised, graduated spring 2011).

Former Ph.D. students:

University of New Orleans:

• Prabhat Neupane (co-advised with Nahid Gani; graduated spring 2017; employed by South Texas College, McAllen, Texas) (awarded SEPM research grant and Explorers Club award).

• Hiranya Sahoo (graduated fall 2013; currently Assistant Professor at IIT Kanpur, India; previously was a Marie Curie LEaDing Fellow at Delft University, Netherlands).

Former undergraduate students:

Western Kentucky University:

• Charlie Lowman: From Ocean-Dwellers to Hilltoppers: Tracing the Geoheritage of Western Kentucky University’s Campus. (2025 - 2026).

• Maysn Hughes: From Ocean-Dwellers to Hilltoppers: Tracing the Geoheritage of Western Kentucky University’s Campus. (2025 - 2026).

• William (Clay) Kilgore: Geochemical analysis of tuffs at the Ardipithecus Ramidus site at Aramis, Ethiopia. (2023 - 2024).

• Mason Wade: Late Paleozoic depositional environments of Kentucky. Spring, 2020 – Spring, 2022.

• Maggie Brosky: Geological mapping of Kentucky. Spring, 2020 – Spring, 2022 

• Hamood S. Al Hashimi: Techniques of Petroleum Play Analysis. Spring 2020.

• Jamin Lopez: Petroleum systems of Belize. Fall, 2017 – Spring, 2019.

• Whittle Megan (Gatton Academy): Hydrocarbon play analysis, Ayoluengo, Spain. Spring, 2019.

• Jesse Boling: Hydrocarbon play analysis, Bristol Bay, Alaska. Spring, 2017

• Gabrielle Witt (Gatton Academy): Sedimentology of Mars. Fall, 2016

University of New Orleans:

• Emily Harper (Senior honors thesis, completed spring 2015).

• Corey Hinyup (Senior Thesis, completed fall 2012).

• Andrew Ranson (Senior Thesis, completed spring 2010).

University of Utah:

• Beau Anderson (2007-08).

• Stanley Smith (2007-08).

StrataMax Reseach Team in Action