Research
I study the landscape's response to active faulting and folding of the Earth's crust. My students and I use a wide range of tools to study these processes, such as geologic and geomorphic field studies, and numerical models of tectonic and erosional processes. My research spans a broad range of time and spatial scales, from the development of mountain ranges over millions of years through the development of small landforms and watersheds over 10s-100s of thousands of years. For example, at the scale of entire mountain belts, I study how deformation and erosion within the Andes may be coupled, providing a link between deep earth and atmospheric processes. At the other extreme, I study how active uplift along the San Andreas Fault affects the short-term development of small, ~4-km-long landforms. Finally, I have recently become interested in studying large, slow-moving landslides in urbanized areas (and the hazards they pose) using remote sensing methods such as Synthetic Aperture Radar Interferometry.

Teaching
I teach both graduate and undergraduate classes and seminars on the development of mountain belts in tectonically active areas. These courses use both classic field examples, as well as local field excursions in the Santa Cruz Mountains as guides to understanding how active faulting may produce steep topography.

Professional Activities
Terman Fellow, 2006-present; Steering Committee, National Center for Airborne Laser Mapping, 2005- present; Program Committee, NSF-Earthscope Annual Meeting; Alexander von Humboldt Fellow, 2001-02