Near-Surface Geophysics Technical Section 2019 Elections

Jean M. Legault is a +35 year career, professional exploration geophysicist.

He obtained his B.A.Sc. (1982) in geological engineering (geophysics) at Queen’s University at Kingston, Canada. He obtained his M.Sc.A. (2005) in mineral engineering (geophysics) at École Polytechnique of University of Montreal, Canada.

He has worked in the mineral exploration geophysics service sector since 1985.

He is a member of APGO (Ontario), APEO (Ontario), SEG, ASEG, KEGS (Canada), EEGS and SAGA.

He is chair of SEG Mining Committee, .co-chair of SEG NS Airborne Geophysics session, KEGS Foundation Secretary, APGO Geophysics Committee member, former KEGS president and executive member, former PDAC technical committee member.

He is author or co-author of more than 50 geophysical papers, publications and presentations at SEG, KEGS, CSEG, ASEG, SAGA, SAGEEP, AEG and EAGE, since 2005.

Position Statement

My goal as chairperson-elect would be to quickly learn from the current chair by working alongside him concerning the major issues that are currently faced by SEG Near-Surface Geophysics Technical Section, which I suspect revolve around expanding the participation by members of the SEG NSTS community to not only maintain but also increase the vibrancy of NSTS.  I believe that my past experience as member of executive SEG Mining Committee over the past 4 ½ years, where I currently act as chair, and my past experience as president and member of executive of KEGS over a 4 year period, will have provided me with the necessary experience and expertise to succeed as chair of NSTS.

Catherine Truffert received a Masters degree in 1989 from University of Montpellier (France) and a PhD in Geophysics from University of Marie Curie (Paris) in 1992 in Geophysics and Geodynamics.

She worked at the BRGM (French Geological Survey) for 22 years, first as a geophysicist, then as a manager. She was subsequently head of a research team (2000), head of the Geology Division (2006), and head of the Research Division of the BRGM (2010). Since 2015, she has been working for IRIS Instruments, a joint venture between BRGM and OYO Group. She was appointed CEO of IRIS in March 2017.

During her career, she has built strong expertise in research (geology, seismic, gravity, airborne geophysics…), business development (strategic and business plan, R&D programs, innovation, intellectual property, etc.), and management. She has a proven ability to meet the challenges posed by the gap between industry and academia, which can be bridged by listening, understanding, partnership, and cross-fertilization.

She is involved in many committees as Chair (Observatory of Universe Sciences, Nantes), as director (French Research National Agency, Research Center for engineering in Centre province), or as scientific advisor (Institute Mines Telecom, IFSTTAR, CNRS/INSU, IsTERRE, and more).

Position Statement

Near Surface Geophysics Technical Section of Society of Exploration Geophysicists is today worldwide recognized for promoting rigorous science, technology, and professional practice of applied near-surface geophysics. NSTS-SEG gathers a strong community of professionals working in many geophysical methods.

My goals for this notorious growing section are to bridge the gap between academic and entrepreneurship sectors and to emphasize innovative instrumentation and methods. As a geophysicist focused on near surface targets for mineral or groundwater exploration, geohazards assessment or environmental monitoring, I face major challenges with disruptive innovation among with artificial intelligence, big data, or Internet of Things (IoT). These emerging technologies may benefit to the Near Surface Geophysicists for improving data recording, data processing and geoscience interpretation.  

As your president, I will focus on both our main background skills and disruptive innovation in respect of all points of view and care to represent you. I will also focus on the membership that creates high human value. I will pay attention on increasing Near Surface Geophysics visibility on the side of the giant community focused on oil & gas. I will work for expanding partnering with many professional, not-for-profit organizations, academic and industry groups.

Of course, for achieving these goals, I will require a volunteer cooperation of many of you. Our diversity creates a high value meaning not just a collection of different skills and businesses.  

John A. Goff received an ScB. degree in geophysics-math from Brown University in 1985, and a PhD. degree in oceanography from the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program in Oceanography in 1990. After two years of post-doc work at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, he began work as an Associate Research Scientist at the University of Texas Institute for Geophysics in 1993, where he has remained ever since. He was promoted to Research Scientist in 1999, and Senior Research Scientist in 2004. He served as associate editor for the Journal of Geophysical Research from 1995 to 1997, as the Earth Processes/Tectonophysics and Seismology editor for Eos from 1999 to 2003, and guest editor for Geophysics from 2013-2015. He is a member of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and the American Geophysical Union. His research involves seafloor mapping, subseafloor imaging and sediment characterization in near-shore and continental shelf settings, as well as stochastic modeling of a variety of geophysical fields.

Position Statement

The Near Surface Geophysics Technical Section (NSTS) holds a unique position in the SEG: it is the only “technical” section (thus far) in a professional society that is otherwise organized and governed entirely by regional sections and affiliated regional societies. In an industry dominated by “big oil” expeditions costing millions or even billions of dollars, the existence of the NSTS is a clear recognition by the Society that there is an important place within it for small-scale geophysical exploration.  Near-surface researchers include service companies, academics and students; they do field work on foot, or in trucks, boats, or airplanes; and they collect all manner of geophysical data (sonar, seismic, lidar, GPR, electromagnetic, photographic, geodetic, etc.), oftentimes on shoestring budgets. Our status as a technical section also provides two clear advantages, by (1) promoting global interaction and organization, and (2) providing a platform for showcasing near-surface geophysical studies at the SEG annual meeting. 

My goals as an NSTS officer would make use of these advantages.  First, I would seek to expand the NSTS community of researchers via continued outreach beyond the SEG domain.  My own strong connections with the AGU community, as well as current membership on the SEG-AGU collaboration committee, would be an asset in such an effort.  I would also like to promote greater international engagement in the NSTS.  Second, I would seek to build upon the great work done so far in expanding participation in NSTS sessions at the SEG annual meeting.  This will require organizing the most exciting sessions, enhanced recruitment of session chairs and presenters, and improving the abstract submission process.  My recent experience in organizing an SEG NSTS session has provided me some insights into where changes might be productive.  Thank you for your consideration.

Sarah Morton Rupert has been a member of the NSTS since its inception in 2014 when she attended her first SEG Annual Meeting in Denver, CO. The following year, she was appointed to the NSTS leadership as the Student Program Lead and then took on an additional position as the Communications Lead in 2017. Through her role as Student Program leader, she has focused on increasing student involvement with the NSTS by hosting panel discussions at the annual meetings and encouraging more students to serve in appointed positions within the NSTS and the SEG. Sarah has been recognized for being enthusiastic about the importance of incorporating more young professionals into leadership positions and actively meets with students at the annual meetings to discuss how the NSTS can better serve the younger membership. In addition to her committee duties, she continues to serve each year as an SEG session co-chair, a member of SEG annual meeting planning subcommittees, and a reviewer for SEG and ICEG expanded abstracts as well as various SEG peer-reviewed publications.

Aside from her dedication to the SEG and the NSTS, Sarah is a graduate research assistant at the Kansas Geological Survey where she is simultaneously pursuing both a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering and a M.S. in Geology from the University of Kansas (KU). She specializes in surface wave seismic methods and their application to civil engineering problems and natural hazards. Sarah's career started at the U.S. Geological Survey in 2010 as a Volunteer for Science and later a Pathways Internship followed by research positions with the Connecticut Geological Survey, the National Center for Research on Earthquake Engineering in Taiwan, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers R&D center. Her motivation to obtain degrees in engineering is propelled by her desire to better bridge the geophysical and engineering communities. Following the completion of both graduate degrees this calendar year, Sarah will continue into a research position at the Kansas Geological Survey.

Position Statement

If elected Vice-Chair of Committees, my primary goal will be expanding the current NSTS committee to not only include more voices, but to seek voices from our international NSTS members. Since the majority of the SEG membership consists of those from outside the USA, I believe it's important that we incorporate more of those members into our leadership. I have been making an effort to recruit more people to the NSTS leadership ever since I became the Student Programs lead in 2015 and am known to many as an active voice of our technical section within the SEG. Thanks to my tenure as part of the NSTS leadership and other SEG planning committees, I am already familiar with the workings of our section. Through this role and collaboration with the other committee leads that I will fill, I hope to continue developing educational and professional development programs for all members that extend beyond the Annual Meetings.

Sankhadip is a hard-working, self-motivating and confident person. He is a post graduate in Geology. Sankhadip is involved with SEG in many roles, he is the Coordinator of SEG Emerging Professional International Committee (EPIC) for India. He is the Technical Mentor for SEG EVOLVE for last two sessions. Apart from that, he is also the AAPG Young Professional (YP) Coordinator for India-Pakistan- Bangladesh and the Student Council Member for AAPG Asia Pacific Section. He is the nominated Future Energy Leader (I-FEL) for World Energy Council (WEC), India. He has published a number of technical papers in different journals as well as reviewed number of papers for Springer and Elsevier, and chaired technical sessions in AAPG GTW. His interest lies in Trekking and mountain biking apart from technical front.

Position Statement

As a Global Chair for NSTS, I am looking forward to organize a team of well-balanced global representatives who will enrich the section. Diversity in a team is the key to growth. I ensure you that the Global issues related to NSTS will be addressed in a orderly as well as timely manner. I am confident that with the support of diverse global representatives and the support of SEG Board, along with my experiences and organizational skills, together we will attain new heights.

I am an Applied Geoscientist with competences in Applied Geophysics, Hydrogeology and Project Management. I currently lead the Science for Development Research and Teaching Initiative with offices in Tübingen, Germany and Lagos, Nigeria. I also serve as an Adjunct lecturer and Research fellow with appointments as a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto, Canada and an Adjunct Faculty (Diaspora Expert) at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. I have worked as a project engineer at the in situ geotechnologies department of Fugro, Germany and was a 2015 Volkswagen Foundation Postdoctoral research fellow where my research focused on developing hydrogeophysical techniques for soil and groundwater management in Nigeria with emphasis on knowledge and technological exchange between Germany and Nigeria.

I received my B.Sc. in Geology from Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria, and my M.Sc. and PhD degrees in Applied Geosciences from the University of Tübingen, Germany. Apart from my research, teaching and industry experiences in the Geosciences, I have also worked as a banker in Nigeria from 2004 to 2007 where I acquired an extensive business experience.

My research interests include the innovative integration of geophysical and hydrogeological techniques for solving hydrogeological, biogeochemical, engineering and other environmental challenges. I am interested in shallow subsurface systems characterization, monitoring and remediation; ground water flow and contaminant transport; groundwater and surface water interactions studies as well as the effect of climate change on soil and groundwater resources.

I am passionate about soil and groundwater resources management, education and research as well as capacity building in sub-Saharan Africa through career and personal development coaching.

Position Statement

It will be my pleasure to serve as the Global Chairperson of the SEG NSTS. With the need to sustain global participations in SEG NSTS activities and the integration of global events, I, along with the global vice-chairperson and representative of various global locations will ensure that SEG NSTS is represented globally and the vision of the section is maintained and communicated adequately to all global members and partners. My committee’s efforts will be to ensure that the NSTS leadership is fully aware of and engaged with global events and that global NS events, needs and issues are communicated appropriately. My team’s focus will be to keep an engaged global NSTS community that will stimulate an enhanced global network, collaborations and partnerships to promote SEG NSTS vision and purpose.

Having lived and worked as a geoscientist in over 15 countries across western Africa, Europe and North America, I appreciate the need to sustain an active global NSTS community better and it will an honor to serve the SEG NSTS as its global chairperson. 

Changchun Yin got his PhD in Geophysics from Technical University of Braunschweig, Germany in 1999. He then joined Fugro Airborne Surveys, Canada, where he worked as senior research geophysicist/project manager for 11 years. In 2011, he joined the faculty of geo-exploration science and technology at Jilin University as full professor and director of a Geophysical R&D center. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed papers on near-surface geophysics. He is the member of SEG, AGU, and EAGE. He joined SEG Mining and Geothermal Committee from 2008 to 2016 and is now committee member of SEG NSTS (2017-present). He is the technical committee member and session chair of NSG Hawaii, Anaheim, and San Antonio and technical committee member/session chair/convener of AEM 2018 and EMIW 2018 in Denmark, EAGE-HAGE (2018-2019) in Malaysia and Indonesia. He is the invited speaker at AEM 2018 (Denmark) and distinguished speaker at ICEG 2019 (UAE).

Position Statement

With my professional background in near-surface geophysics and my experience with different international committees and organizing conferences, I believe I can do well managing the role of SEG NSTS Global Chair.

If elected, I will try my best to serve the members of SEG NSTS and those outside NSTS community as needed. I will help lead the community to advance science and technology in Near-Surface Geophysics, to raise the global awareness of importance of geophysics played in the study of the near surface, and to extend the applications of near-surface geophysics in E&E, groundwater and geothermal, mineral exploration, natural hazard, urbanization, etc. by organizing workshops, conference sessions, and lecture tours. I will pay special attention to members in underdeveloped countries.