Board and District Elections

Chao Wang is the manager of machine learning (ML) imaging at Oxy’s Subsurface Innovation Lab, where she leads a high-profile research team in developing advanced subsurface workflows. By leveraging cloud computing and ML, her team creates scalable cloud-native solutions that enhance the accuracy and efficiency of subsurface exploration and production. Wang mentors young professionals within and beyond her team, providing technical guidance and fostering career development. She builds strong cross-functional partnerships with geoscience, business units, information technology, and data management teams to streamline operations and improve solution delivery. She also collaborates with universities to facilitate industry adoption of cutting-edge academic technologies.  

Previously, as director and chief mathematician at ION, Wang led a research team focused on production velocity model building and advanced imaging, including full-waveform inversion and ML applications for imaging and interpretation. She received ION’s Technical Leadership Recognition Award and provided technical support for projects in the Gulf of Mexico, Brazil, Middle East, North Sea, and Africa. Wang earned a master’s degree in computational and applied mathematics from Rice University in 2010 and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Nanjing University in 2006.  

Wang has been an active member of SEG and the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) since 2010, serving on the IMAGE Research Committee since 2018 and the IMAGE Technical Program Committee since 2022. She is an active reviewer for Geophysics and The Leading Edge (TLE) and has served as a guest editor for a special section of TLE. Wang has been a technical and invited speaker at numerous conferences and workshops organized by SEG/IMAGE, EAGE, American Geophysical Union, Geophysical Society of Houston, Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, Brazilian Geophysical Society, and International Petroleum Technology Conference. She holds more than 30 publications and patents in seismic imaging and inverse problems. Wang is also an active member of the Women of Oxy Network; Oxy Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging Team; and Oxy Asian Heritage Network.  

Position Statement 

I am honored to be nominated for district representative for District 1. As a passionate geophysicist and long-time engaged member of SEG, I believe our Society stands at an important inflection point — one that calls for thoughtful adaptation, strong collaboration between industry and academia, and continued innovation. If elected, I am committed to working closely with District 1 members and SEG leadership to ensure that our district’s perspectives, strengths, and needs are clearly represented within the broader Society.  

My priorities for District 1 include the following: 

• Strengthening communication and representation of District 1 within SEG: I aim to enhance two-way communication between District 1 members and the broader SEG community, ensuring that member voices are heard, regional priorities are well represented, and opportunities for engagement and leadership continue to expand. 
• Accelerating adoption of emerging technologies: I aim to support the integration of advances from computational mathematics, physics, computer science, and data science (particularly artificial intelligence [AI] and generative AI) into geophysical research and practice to improve efficiency, insight, and impact. 
• Advancing early-career mentorship and workforce development: I aim to promote structured mentorship and training opportunities that connect students and young professionals with experienced practitioners across geophysics, geology, and engineering, helping to build well-rounded adaptable professionals.

I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to serve District 1 and to contribute to SEG’s mission of advancing geophysics for the benefit of society through technical excellence, education, and collaboration. 

David Middleton recently retired from Talos Energy after a 45-year career as a geologist and geophysicist. He has been a member of SEG since 1981 and is currently a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Dallas Geophysical Society, and Houston Geological Society. Middleton previously worked as a geophysicist for Enserch Exploration (1981–1997), Chieftain International (1997–2001), and Remington Oil & Gas (2001–2006). He was then vice president of exploration for ERT Gulf of Mexico (2007–2012). His professional experience has been in the Gulf of America and East Texas salt basins. He has a Bachelor of Science, cum laude, in earth science from Southern Connecticut State University (1980).   

Position Statement 

SEG should focus on three core areas: 

• SEG should embrace our role in exploring and developing fossil-fuel resources. The world is not transitioning away from fossil fuels. Affordable, abundant, and reliable energy equals prosperity. Fossil fuels will be the foundation of that prosperity for many decades to come. Discussions around climate change should be grounded in sound science and balanced analysis. The economic benefits of fossil fuels to society far outweigh the effects of greenhouse gas emissions. 
• SEG should promote the use of geophysical methods in the development of other mineral resources, as well as geotechnical, civil engineering, and environmental remediation. 
• In addition, SEG should encourage universities to tailor their curricula to focus on the role of geophysics in the earlier mentioned applications. 

Mark Davidson received bachelor’s degrees in geology and music from Lawrence University and a PhD in geophysics from Purdue University. After graduation, he began his industry career at ExxonMobil in the vibrator research group at the Upstream Research Company in Houston. He later moved to Shell Exploration and Production (Houston) and Anadarko Petroleum (Denver).  After the Oxy and Anadarko merger, he formed his own geophysical technology consultancy, Telemark Energy Services, based in Denver. Davidson has specialized in seismic data acquisition for the majority of his career, working both onshore and offshore projects in equal measure in numerous basins around the globe. Seismic sources are a significant area of research and practical interest, particularly vibratory sources, including work related to the development of a small, portable electromagnetic vibrator for shallow imaging projects.  

In addition to being a member of SEG, Davidson is a member of the Denver Geophysical Society (DGS). He is a past president of DGS and member of its 3D Seismic Symposium Committee.    

Position Statement 

As many are aware, the geophysical profession has been at a crossroads for many years now.  Changes in oil and gas exploration strategies, company staffing, and numerous consolidations have shifted or eliminated roles that were commonplace in previous decades. Migration to other opportunities (alternative energy, carbon capture, mining, helium, or other exploration opportunities) have required geophysicists to adapt to an ever-evolving landscape. My own career has seen a shift from traditional oil exploration to mining, shallow-hazard characterization work, and numerous other opportunities.  

I am interested in supporting the continued efforts of SEG to provide opportunities and knowledge transfer related to these changes and challenges in our industry for its constituents. I am specifically interested in working toward: 

• Providing excellent value for members through information exchange without compromising SEG’s financial situation 
• Strengthening society support and development opportunities for evolving technologies for geophysicists 
• Furthering society diversity and opportunities for incoming and upcoming talent 

Uzonna Anyiam has been a member of SEG since 2006, when he joined as a student. He earned a bachelor’s degree in geophysics from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Nigeria); a master’s degree in geology with a geophysics concentration from Oklahoma State University (United States); and a PhD in geophysics from the University of Science and Technology of China (China) in 2022.  

After earning his PhD, he joined the faculty at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, as an assistant professor of geophysics and environmental science. At Hope, Anyiam is helping develop, for the first time, a geophysics program for the department of geology and environmental science. His research includes conventional and emerging energy systems, low-carbon geoenergy development, subsurface fluid storage, and induced seismicity monitoring.

Prior to joining academia, Anyiam had more than six years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He has been an involved SEG member for more than 17 years. He served in the following ways: 

• Student cochair of the Committee on University and Student Programs (CUSP) (2010–2015) 
• Vice president of the Oklahoma State University Geophysical Society (2014–2015) 
• Person of contact for CUSP in Africa and Asia (2020–present) 
• Member of the Membership Committee (2010–present) 
• Vice chair of the SEG Evaluations Subcommittee of the Student and Early Career Committee (2023–2025)

Currently, he serves as the Chair of SEG’s Student and Early Career Committee’s (SEC’s) Evaluations Subcommittee.   

Position Statement 

My nomination to serve SEG as district representative for District 4 is both an honor and a responsibility I embrace with gratitude. Through leadership, mentorship, and student engagement within SEG, I have gained valuable insight into the Society’s mission and global impact. As geophysics evolves alongside the expanding geoenergy portfolio, SEG must lead in integrating exploration with emerging fields such as carbon capture, geothermal, hydrogen, and critical minerals. If elected, I will strengthen student and early-career membership growth, foster academia-industry collaboration, and expand engagement in sustainable energy domains to ensure SEG’s continued relevance in District 4, thereby contributing to SEG’s global growth and influence. 

Svetlana Bidikhova, P.Geoph., is a geophysicist and industry leader with more than 30 years of experience. Her experience combines advanced technical expertise with executive leadership in the global geosciences sector. Her career is distinguished by a rare ability to bridge practical geophysical work with strategic and organizational leadership. It has been shaped by major projects across Canada, the United States, Europe, China, India, the Middle East, Japan, South America, and Africa.  

She holds a master’s degree in geophysics with honors and is a registered Professional Geophysicist with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA). Bidikhova has held senior technical and leadership roles with Shell, ION Geophysical, GeoVectra, and DMT Geosciences. She currently serves as vice president, geophysics at Absolute Imaging in Calgary, where she leads technical strategy, supports business growth, and mentors multidisciplinary teams.  

Recognized for her collaborative and forward-looking leadership style, Bidikhova actively contributes to SEG, Canadian Society of Exploration Geophysicists, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, and APEGA, promoting excellence and innovation across the profession.  

Position Statement  

I am deeply committed to strengthening our profession through innovation, collaboration, and mentorship across all career stages. While supporting students and early-career professionals is vital, I believe experienced specialists are equally important — as mentors, leaders, and stewards of our collective knowledge.  

In my role as District 5 representative, I would work to amplify Canada’s voice on the international geophysical stage, foster stronger engagement between SEG and Canadian members, and promote the adoption of new technologies that keep our community competitive and relevant. I would seek to bring together new talent and seasoned expertise to create a resilient and inclusive geophysical community across borders and generations. From first job to final legacy — you matter!  

Itzamna Gonzalez completed a bachelor’s degree in geophysical engineering at National Autonomous University of Mexico in 2006. In 2007, she joined the oil and gas industry through exploration and production projects in Mexico and Latin America. Her experience includes consulting on characterization and field development planning projects to identify workover candidates and new well drilling locations with Pemex in Gulf of Mexico basins such as South, Veracruz, Tampico-Misantla, Chiapas, and Burgos basins. She has worked on carbonate and sandstone sequences from Mesozoic and Tertiary reservoirs. In addition, she has worked on unconventional resource projects in the Vaca Muerta Basin in Argentina, where she was responsible for geologic and geophysical modeling of different assets. Gonzalez is the current District 6 representative (2024–2026). She has been a member of SEG’s Latin America Regional Advisory Committee since 2018.

Position Statement 

It is a great honor to be a part of SEG. I have valued my service as a member of the Latin America Regional Advisory Committee and SEG Council. In this nomination for a second term as District 6 representative, I would like to promote SEG membership and activities to more students in my region. I would like to extend communication with geophysicists worldwide and encourage people in my region to be a part of this professional community.  

Phil Mollicone is an independent oil and gas geophysicist. He has recently been helping with the following:

• Sirte and Oued Mya basins of North Africa
• U.K. carbon capture and storage project
• Zechstein oil play on the U.K. Mid North Sea High
• U.K. Central and Southern North Sea brownfield rejuvenation

Mollicone was head of geophysics for Sterling Resources. Before that, he was local and then global head of geophysics for the Aberdeen consulting firm, Senergy. He was a principal geophysicist at RML (Senergy’s predecessor). He was a consulting geophysicist with Martin Moffatt in Cambridge for 10 years. In addition, he held interpreting geophysicist roles for Occidental in London, Cities Service International and Van Dyke in Houston, and Amoco in Denver.

He has worked projects across the U.K. and Dutch North Sea, East Irish Sea carbon capture and storage, North Africa, onshore and offshore Romania, inshore Southern Angola, Eastern Mediterranean, Qatar, Kurdistan, South China Sea, and U.S. frontiers.

Mollicone has a bachelor’s degree in geology from the University of Colorado. He is a member of SEG, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, Geoscience Energy Society of Great Britain, Geological Society of London, Scottish Geology Trust, Geologists Association, History of Geology Group, and European Geosciences Union.

Position Statement

My aim is to develop our profile and improve SEG brand recognition across District 7, particularly in Europe. To this end, I hope to fairly represent the views and concerns of the inclusive Northern European geophysics community on the SEG Board. I invite participation, ideas, and discussion from geology and geophysics professionals, academics, students, vendors, and more to help identify and address the issues we face. Geophysics practice in Northwestern Europe is rapidly evolving in a challenging environment, where companies are downsizing, merging, and moving away from exploration and production. Student populations and course offerings are also declining. I want to help SEG help its members go forward in this time of transition.

Paolo Mazzucchelli is a senior geophysicist who is developing remote sensing solutions for oil and gas exploration, near-surface applications, and satellite radar observations. He received a master’s degree (1998) and PhD (2002) in electronics engineering from Politecnico di Milano in Italy. He cofounded Aresys in 2003, and he is its current president. His main areas of professional interest are seismic and radar signal processing and the development of geophysical methods for engineering applications. His current research activities are dedicated to high-performance computing and machine learning applied to geophysics and inverse problems.  

He is an author of many papers for international conferences and a reviewer for different international journals. He has been part of the Technical Committee for European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE)/SEG workshops on geophysical aspects of smart cities since its first edition in 2019. He has been serving as an expert evaluator for European Union-funded EuroHPC open calls since 2014.  

An SEG member since 2000, he is past president of the Italian EAGE/SEG Section and currently SEG Council special advisor. He is a key volunteer for the SEG Challenge Bowl Italian regional contest.   

Position Statement 

The current energy transition is significantly impacting the role of geophysics in our industry. As district representative, I am willing to make evident the centrality of the role and expertise of geophysicists in addressing three of the most important challenges facing society — energy, water, and climate. Primary goals include: 

• Facilitate the technical development of current members, especially the younger ones, ensuring that all the benefits of SEG membership are available at a global scale 
• Promote SEG expansion in technical areas that, although not currently covered, can benefit from extensive application of geophysics 
• Support inclusivity and diversity 

Cyril D. Boateng is a senior lecturer and researcher in the department of physics at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana. He is also currently the scientific director and principal investigator at the West Africa Geophysics Lab at KNUST. Boateng holds a PhD in solid earth physics from the University of China Academy of Sciences. His postdoctoral work was conducted at the School of Geosciences at the China University of Petroleum (East China).   

Boateng focuses on the application of machine learning in geophysics and leveraging geophysical methods to support the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Boateng’s research has attracted funding from organizations such as the SEG Foundation, International Development Research Centre, Office of Naval Research Global, Carnegie Foundation, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization – The World Academy of Sciences, and German Federal Ministry of Education and Research. He was the 2024 SEG Honorary Lecturer for Middle East and Africa. He was also recently awarded the prestigious Iso Lomso Fellowship at the Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study. Boateng serves as a special advisor on the SEG Council.  

Position Statement 

SEG’s future lies in strategically empowering local Student Chapters for maximum impact. Through programs that nurture strong community networks and mentorship programs, we can unleash talent and engagement, benefiting both local and global initiatives.  

I propose focusing on: 

• Empowering local chapters to drive participation and organize impactful programs 
• Establishing robust mentorship programs to attract and retain the next generation of SEG members 
• Initiating equipment donation programs across District 9 to drive capacity building

As an SEG District 9 member with more than 10 years of experience in building networks and organizing local programs, I am ready to contribute to this future-focused vision. 

Wathik Alaaraji received a bachelor’s degree in earth sciences from University College Cork in Ireland in 1999. He obtained a master’s degree in petroleum geoscience from Imperial College London in 2001. In 2021, he completed a master’s degree with merit in renewable energy systems technology at Loughborough University in the United Kingdom. Alaaraji is a long-standing member of SEG and a fellow of the Geological Society. His current research interests and business development efforts are focused on the Africa, Mediterranean & Middle East region. They include improving seismic acquisition efficiency in both shallow and deep marine environments, as well as the advancement of near- urface imaging and full-waveform inversion in the region.   

With a foot in both conventional and renewable energy sectors, Alaaraji is passionate about pushing the sustainability envelope in the seismic industry and promoting the value of modern seismic acquisition and processing to conventional oil and gas development and production. He is increasingly involved in promoting artificial intelligence and machine learning applications in the seismic imaging space.   

Alaaraji is based in the United Arab Emirates. Over the last 20 years, he has worked in Oslo, Dubai, and Kuala Lumpur, developing a significant portfolio of seismic acquisition and processing projects with a broad range of international and national oil companies. In addition to being a long-standing member of SEG, Alaaraji continues to serve as a member on numerous SEG technical committees, helping to deliver SEG workshops to the geophysical community in the region.   

Position Statement 

As a nominee for district representative, I am dedicated to advancing both SEG and our profession through targeted initiatives, collaborations, and knowledge-sharing platforms. I will aim to enhance professional development for this and the next generation of geophysicists through targeted workshops, webinars, and dedicated mentorship programs. I will strive to further empower geophysicists at all career stages.   

As our profession adapts further to the reality of artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, there is ample opportunity to advance exploration geophysics in the era of big data and this new technology through industry engagement, technology, and research deployment in the region. My ultimate goals are to champion excellence in geophysics in the region, to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and growth, and to propel SEG toward the next era of exploration geophysics in our ever-evolving industry.  

Yao Ge received a master’s degree from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore in 2008. She earned a PhD from the National University of Singapore in 2014. She joined Halliburton in Singapore as a senior scientist, where she has spent 13 years developing advanced acoustic solutions for the oil and gas service sector. Her technical contributions span tool design and algorithm development in acoustic sensing, borehole imaging, leak detection, and well-integrity evaluation. She has filed more than 30 patents, with additional applications pending. This reflects her sustained focus on innovation and technology leadership. Currently, she serves as a scientific advisor, leading the development of a through-tubing cement evaluation technology, which is a next-generation solution that is positioned at the forefront of the market. 

Position Statement 

The geophysical profession continues to evolve as industry addresses both current energy demands and emerging technologies. My experience in acoustic sensing, borehole imaging, and well-integrity evaluation enables me to contribute practical perspectives to SEG’s mission. As District 11 representative, I would support strong technical programs, encourage collaboration between industry and regional universities, and expand access to cost-effective professional training. I am committed to strengthening member engagement, promoting knowledge sharing in developing areas (such as carbon capture and geothermal energy), and ensuring that District 11 members remain well represented within the Society. 

John Coffin is the business manager for Delft Inversion in the Asia-Pacific region based in Perth, Australia. He is a graduate in geophysics from the University of Leicester (United Kingdom) and has worked in the energy industry for more than 30 years. Coffin has worked for Digicon, SSL, SLB, Hampson-Russell, Veritas, CSS  (now Viridien), and GeoSoftware in a range of roles that span seismic acquisition, processing, interpretation, and business development and management. His main technical focus is amplitude variation with offset, inversion, machine learning, rock physics, and quantitative interpretation. Over the past five years, his focus has been on the application of elastic full-waveform inversion techniques to challenging geologic problems such as residual gas and carbonate reservoirs. Coffin is an active member of the Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists (ASEG), SEG, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE), Petroleum Exploration Society of Australia (PESA), and South-East Asia Petroleum Exploration Society (SEAPEX) and has regularly presented his work at annual conferences, workshops, and symposia.  

Position Statement 

I want geophysics as a profession to continue its important role. As the global population continues its relentless demand for energy, our relevance had somehow diminished. The new generation often views our profession negatively. However, they inadvertently depend on us as the industry’s experience continues to age.  

While representing District 12, I want to work on this challenge and promote the principles, values, and fascinating science from which we all benefit. My goals during my term, if elected, are the following:  

• I will aim to promote and encourage a new generation of geophysicists by starting young and driving home a positive message. This could involve lectures, videos, podcasts, and events that explain what we do, why we do it, why we entered the profession in the first place, and what keeps us engaged. 
• I will aim to encourage greater involvement of District 12 members in SEG activities and support regional events. Working closely with the regional office and improving the awareness and use of significant SEG resources is an excellent starting point. 
• I will aim to reinforce inclusivity across the full spectrum of careers where geophysics plays a role.