Early Career Spotlight

Harrison Gray

Tell us about yourself:

Hi there. I am a Geologist at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Denver, CO, USA. I completed a PhD in Geomorphology at the University of Colorado – Boulder in 2018 and have been at the USGS since then.

 

What is your research about?

The part of my research I am most excited about is using luminescence, a light-sensitive property of minerals, as a sediment tracing and provenance method to develop and test hypotheses in geomorphology. This is a relatively unexplored application of luminescence as it is typically used for sediment dating in the geosciences.

 

What excites you about your research?

These new luminescence sediment tracing methods are exciting because there is a lot of potential to uncover new information on how sediment moves across the Earth's surface. Currently, I am focused on seeing what preexisting models and theories involving sediment transport can be adapted to make testable predictions of luminescence. I am excited about having a new way to throw field data at our current models and to see what works and what doesn't.

 

What broader importance does your research have for society?

Right now, I am exploring a model from paleoseismology (the study of ancient earthquakes) used to interpret sequences of earthquake deposits called "colluviual wedges." The results from the application of this model feed directly into seismic hazard assessments and so it is important that the model is robust under different environmental conditions. One way to check the model is to apply tracer methods, such as luminescence, and see if the results match what the model expects. This can help us improve our model and can benefit society by improving our seismic hazard assessments.

 

What inspired you to pursue a career in Earth Science?

I am actually not totally sure. I took a geology introductory class my first semester of college and felt like this was the thing for me. This probably indicates brain-washing from a young age. I blame The Magic School Bus.

 

What are you looking to do after you complete your PhD or postdoc?

I am lucky to be employed full-time in a position I really enjoy! I hope to stay at the USGS for a long time.

 

Given unlimited funding and access to resources, what is your dream project that you would pursue?

Oh man. Unlimited funding??? I would probably instead try to set up a fellowship program aimed at groups not traditionally involved in science.

 

What else do you do? Any hobbies or interests outside of work?

Lately I have been getting into good stay-at-home and socially-distanced activities such as trail-running, ultralight backpacking, and teaching myself basic car repair. In the Before Times, I was really into olympic-style weightlifting at the local crossfit gym.

File

Harrison in the field trying to remember how to spell 'luminescence.' (Photo by A. East.)