UCD Research Group - Current members
Amy Myers, PhD Student
Amy joined the group in 2020 after completing an MGeol in Earth Sciences at the University of St. Andrews. Her PhD focuses on the factors controlling lava dome morphology, where she has compiled an open-access global dataset that collates height, widths, and aspect ratios for lava domes and explores these as a function of composition. Amy also has expertise in analogue modelling and is working on two-material models using a golden syrup and sugar suspension and sand/plaster mixtures. Amy is funded by a UCD Ad Astra Studentship.
Kendra Ní Nualláin, PhD Student
Kendra joined the group in 2022 after completing a BSc in Applied and Computational Mathematics at University College Dublin. Her PhD focuses on developing new 3D discrete element method models of volcanic environments. This includes considering the viscous extrusion of 3D lava domes, as well as the effect of hydrothermal alteration on 3D stability of volcanic edifices. She is currently working specifically on the examples of La Soufriére de Guadeloupe and St. Vincent. Kendra is funded by an Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship.
Tom Austin, PhD Student
Tom joined the group in 2023 after completing a BSc in Geology at the University of Southampton, followed by an MSc in Volcanology at the University of Bristol. His PhD focuses on understanding the timescales and the 3D fault architecture associated with caldera resurgence. In particular, he is developing new 3D discrete element method models that are benchmarked against finite element method models and analytical solutions, with a view to exploring fault generation and reactivation during reinflation of a magma reservoir. He is working specifically on the example of Sierra Negra. Tom is funded by a Science Foundation Ireland iCRAG Scholarship.
Tom Johnston, PhD Student
Tom joined the group in 2023 after completing a BSc in Geology, followed by a MSc by Research at the University of Hull. Tom’s PhD is focussed on investigating block-and-ash flow deposits to inform on pyroclastic density current flow processes, as well as lava dome structure and collapse mechanisms. His project combines field observations with rock mechanics and granulometry and he is currently working specifically on Volcán de Colima. Tom is funded by an Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship.
Clara Byrne, Research Support Coordinator
Clara joined the team in June 2024. She holds a bachelor's degree in Geography and Natural Sciences from Trinity University and is pursuing a Geography Master's in UCD part-time. Prior to joining our team, she worked in a corporate role. Her main responsibilities now include organizing and coordinating projects as well as overseeing the team's daily operations.
Savannah Devine
Savannah joined the group in 2024 following an M.S. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of New Mexico, and a B.S. in quantitative geoscience from Appalachian State University. Her research background is in geophysics and geodesy and the primary supervisor of her PhD is Eoghan Holohan at UCD. Savannah's PhD focuses on using numerical modelling techniques to investigate caldera collapse dynamics. This work is funded by an Irish Research Council Postgraduate Scholarship.