"In the energy transition, the subsurface is going to play a crucial role. We need Earth Scientists to help study its potential."
Research focus: Geomechanics, Fluid-rock interactions, Sustainability, Geo-energy
I'm an associate professor at the High Pressure and Temperature Laboratory (Experimental Rock Deformation group) at the Department of Earth Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. In addition, I'm also a board member of the Science for Sustainability community of the Pathways to Sustainability strategic theme.
Curiosity meets application
My research is mainly driven by my curiosity about the fundamental physical and chemical processes that control rock material behaviour in the subsurface. I like to put this research alongside its direct relevance to socially relevant issues, such as the effects of prolonged oil/gas production, long-term storage of CO2, temporary storage of hydrogen, geothermal energy production and radioactive waste storage. I have a background in both academia and industry, which puts me in a perfect position to combine the best of both worlds, and has taught me how to translate and link purely scientific research to the needs of industry and society, and to developing a sustainable future.
Have a look at this YouTube video of the research I was involved in regarding the Groningen Gas field:
Entrada Sandstone: In some locations in Utah (USA), the Entrada Sandstone Formation holds large quantities of CO2 and is studied as an analogue for long-term geological CO2 storage (photo by S. Hangx)