THE TEAM
Our group welcomes students and scientists who are interested in integrating
multiple disciplines and techniques to address water-related issues. If you are
interested in applying send me an email at:
cardenas at jsg dot utexas dot edu.
Researchers in our group have received multiple awards, student
grants, and recognition. They are listed
here.
You can see the group in action here.
Post-doctoral Fellows
Dr. Wen Deng (Wen's
website)
BS Huazhong University of Science and Technology
MS Tongji University
PhD Iowa State University
PhD Students
Kevin Befus (Kevin's website)
BS Wheaton College, MS University of
Colorado-Boulder
Kevin is studying hydrology for two reasons: its demand scientifically and its
relevance globally. His previous research includes studying the effects of
glacial isostasy on paleo-lake hydrology and applying geophysical techniques to
constrain weathering properties of the shallow subsurface. Kevin is an avid
field geologist and modeler when not perfecting his skills with a frisbee.
Kuldeep Chaudhary
BS University of Delhi, MS University of Delhi, MS Indiana University
Kuldeep’s current research focuses on pore-scale (10 to 100 µm) processes where
he is studying the effect of grain (sediment) shapes in modifying the fluid flow
and the mass transport as applied to migration and capillary trapping of
Supercritical Carbon dioxide (SCO2). His research work entails laboratory
experimentation which includes hydraulic testing and high resolution X-Ray CT
scanning and conducting numerical simulations of the pore-scale scanned porous
media. His past research experiences includes basin scale modeling to
reconstruct aquifer salinity evolution associated with the Quaternary climatic
oscillations in Australia, geological characterization of Carbonate reservoirs
in the Illinois basin, and geophysical characterization of fluid flow through
the faults in the Rhine Graben, Germany . Between his studies, he has worked as
a geologist for Indiana Geological Survey, and a consultant for Sierra
Resources, LLC a petroleum firm based in Houston, TX.
Lichun Wang (Lichun's website)
BS China University of Geosciences-Beijing, MS China University of
Geosciences
My current research mainly focuses on subsurface fluid flow and transport
processes through single rough-walled fracture, particularly on multiphase
flow(super-critical C02 and brine) through fractured media. Dispute on the
effect of local fracture aperture variations within a single 2D rough-walled
fracture leads to difficulty in quantifying the hydraulic properties such as
permeability (k) and dispersion coefficient(D). However, detailed mapping
information of fracture through X-Ray Scanning enables the application of CFD
and solute transport to quantify k and D numerically. I am also investigating
the effect of roughness and tortuosity on the deviation of theoretically-derived
k and D from numerically-derived value.
Peter Zamora (Peter's website)
BS Central Luzon State University, MS University of the Philippines-Diliman
Coming from a chemistry background, my main interest is applying geochemistry to
answer environmental science related questions. This interest led me to pursue
a master's degree in geology working on sediment chemistry to reconstruct paleo-rainfall
and primary productivity for the past 1600 years in the Philippines. My current
research looks at the dynamics of seawater-groundwater interaction near the
land-ocean interface and its implications on the geochemistry of coastal waters.
My approach involves the application of geophysical and geochemical techniques
as well as numerical simulations to understand the the transport and evolution
of dissolved chemical species along the coastal subsurface. This work is part of
my PhD research at the University of Texas at Austin.
Lizhi Zheng (Lizhi's website)
BS China University of Geosciences-Beijing, MS China University of
Geosciences
I am interested in studying the interactions between groundwater and surface
water(GW/SW), especially the biogeochemical reactions in the hyporheic zone (HZ,
transition zone between groundwater and surface water). My current research
focuses on coupled fluid flow, heat and reactive transport in the HZ to
understand the transport and fate of nutrients and contaminants at the GW/SW
interface. My approach involves numerical simulations
and flume experiment to understand the links between hydrological and
biogeochemical processes in the HZ. A series of flume experiments will be
designed to see how flow and heat transport in the HZ affect the nutrient and
contaminant cycling.
MS Students
Alec Norman
BS University of Virginia
Alec’s primary research interests involve contaminant transport in the
groundwater and surface water. He is currently studying how thermal variability
affects metal contaminant levels in streams and exchange of metal ions between
streams and stream bed sediments.
Alyse Briody
BA University of California-Berkeley
Alyse's current research focuses on characterizing the hyporheic zone of
Austin's Colorado River and the subsurface biogeochemistry that occurs there.
Her broader research interests include groundwater-surface water interactions,
snow hydrology, and water resource availability.
Raquel Flinker
BS Pontificial Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro
From Brazil, Raquel is studying and modeling the impacts of global environmental
changes on local hydrology. This study focuses on the effects of elevated
atmospheric carbon dioxide and change in precipitation patterns on the hydrology
of grasslands of central North America. This research will help understand how
global environmental changes affect soil moisture and plant water uptake.
Mike Kanarek
BA (Journalism) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, BS
(Geology) University of South Florida
Mike's current research involves using electrical resistivity, and thermal and
moisture monitoring to better understand the effects of wildfire on soil
moisture dynamics. His study site is in Bastrop State Park, which was burned by
extensive wildfires in September 2011 associated with the severe drought in
Texas. His research has broad implications on everything from water availability
for plants to groundwater recharge rates.
Raymond Rodolfo, University of the
Philippines-National Institute of Geological Sciences (external co-adviser)
Undergraduate Students
none at the moment
Past Visiting Scientists and Students:
Laura Bardini, PhD student, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Jesus Gomez, PhD student, New Mexico Tech
MoonSu Kim, National Institute of
Environmental Research, South Korea
Daniel Kaeser, PhD student, University of Lancaster, UK
Louis Areepitak, PhD student, Texas AM-Kingsville
HYDRO EXES (aka former group members) and last known location or occupation
Ben Bass, BS Geological Sciences, 2011 (traveling in South America but will
hopefully apply to grad school soon)
Wai Sum Chan, MA Science and Math Education, 2011 (high school teacher)
Audrey Sawyer,
PhD Geological Sciences, 2011 (Assistant Professor at the University of
Kentucky)
Nancy Pattyn, RET fellow, 2010, Anderson High School
John Nowinski,
MS Geological Sciences, 2010
Travis Swanson, MS Geological Sciences, 2010 (PhD student at UT)
Katy Gerecht, REU student, BS Engineering Science (Smith College), 2010
(grad school, Pennsylvania State University)Michael Markowski, BS
Geological Sciences, 2010
Annie Dunckel, BS Geological Sciences, 2010 (grad
school, University of Virginia)Blair Stanley, MS Geological
Sciences, 2009 (BP, Houston)Meredith Mackey, MA Science and Math Education,
2008 (middle school teacher)
Ashleigh Barber-Bomar, MA Science and Math Education, 2008 (high school
teacher)
Laura Merner, REU student, BS Geography (Clark Univ), 2008 (grad school,
University of Maryland Baltimore County) 
