11 Greetings, BPSoG friends! I’m Xiaofeng Chen, Assistant Professor since Fall 2024. I use experimental and microscopic techniques to study rock deformation and micro-mechanisms. My group focuses on rock friction, earthquake physics, fracture mechanics, and subsurface reservoir simulations for petroleum and energy transition. I am establishing my rock mechanics labs, and three triaxial apparatuses will be available in Fall 2025. I have been working on several proposals for geothermal energy and was impressed by the great work of my colleagues here and the research support team from the college. Two graduate students are coming in Fall 2025, and I am excited to kick off the new rock mechanics group at OSU. I taught Geology and Human Affairs in Fall 2024, which was a great experience interacting with dynamic students and improving my teaching skills. I will be teaching Rock Fractures in Fall 2025 and Experimental Rock Deformation in Fall 2026. This year, I remained dedicated to teaching, research, and service. I taught multiple courses, including GEOL 1003: The Story of Dinosaurs, Evolution of the Earth, and Paleontology, earning outstanding student evaluations and peer reviews. My mentorship extended to my research lab, which currently includes three PhD students, three MS students, and four undergraduates—two of whom transitioned into the MS program in Fall 2024. As we approach 2025, we anticipate graduating several students and are actively recruiting to maintain strong research momentum. Research efforts led to one publication, with three more in review or accepted, along with multiple conference presentations. I submitted two NSF proposals, including a PETM-focused collaboration. Additionally, I visited the Smithsonian Museum and spent a day as a scientist on display, photographing type specimens for the bforams@mikrotax database. Looking ahead, we aim to return to sea on an expedition off Greenland, furthering our investigations into paleoceanography and foraminiferal ecology. Faculty News DR. ASHLEY BURKETT ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Micropaleontology, Biostratigraphy and Climate DR. XIAOFENG CHEN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR Structural Geology, Geomechanics spring.2025
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