What is your thesis topic / field of interest?
The use of coda waves for constraining earthquake location and source properties. This is a computational project that is exploring how to exploit all components of a seismic waveform when modelling earthquakes. The work is new and exciting. We have managed to publish two papers already and we hope to submit a couple more before I complete my PhD.

Where have you come from to do this program?
I have a BSc. With Honours from Flinders University of South Australia. I have been working with Geoscience Australia, an Australian Government Agency located in Canberra, since 2001. My PhD is sponsored by Geoscience Australia.

What experience have you gained while studying at RSES?
I have worked and learnt from some excellent researchers. I have had the opportunity to work with Beowulf computing clusters and my own programming skills have greatly improved. I have met many new friends and colleagues, some of whom I see myself working collaboratively with in the future.

What have you learnt about yourself during your time here?
I have built a greater tolerance for exploratory projects that don't work. In particular, I have learnt not to get stuck with one line of thinking. Rather, you must move on and try something else until you find something that works.

What do you see yourself doing upon completion of the program?
I will return to Geoscience Australia where I will continue to work in the earthquake risk modelling area.

What has been the most enjoyable experience during your studies at RSES?
I have been lucky to participate in conferences in Slovakia, San Francisco, Singapore, Melbourne and Canberra and I have made two trips to the US to work with collaborators at the Colorado School of Mines. Consequently, I have met scientists from around the world and I have learnt many new things.

Why would you recommend this program to others?
The Research School of Earth Sciences is a great place to study. People are friendly and welcoming and the teaching load of most supervisors is relatively small. This means that they have more time to work with their Graduate students.

Benefits of being at the ANU / life in Canberra?
Canberra is a small city so it easy to get around and it is not over crowded. There are many parks and gardens and we are close to the Australian countryside. It is only three hours drive to Sydney as well so we have the best of both worlds.

David is the winner of the 2007 Robert Hill Memorial Prize for Science Communication.