Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte
Distinguished Professor of Physics & Astronomy
College of Science
Purdue University
BIO: Dr. Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte is a Distinguished Professor of Physics & Astronomy, in the College of Science, at Purdue University. She holds courtesy appointments in the Lyle School of Civil Engineering and in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, also in the College of Science. She is the Vice-President for North America for the International Society of Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering. Prof. Pyrak-Nolte is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union, recipient of the Reginald Fessenden Award from the Society of Exploration Geophysicists, and a Fellow of the American Rock Mechanics Association. Her interests include applied geophysics, experimental and theoretical seismic wave propagation, laboratory rock mechanics, micro-fluidics, particle swarms, and fluid flow through Earth materials.