Breif Bio

 Dr. Masterlark is the Mickelson Professor and Distinguished Professor of Geology and Geological Engineering at SDSMT. He began his career at the USGS EROS Data Center. He then accepted an appointment to Assistant Professor at the University of Alabama, where he received a grant from NASA's prestigious New Investigator Program. He joined the faculty at SDSMT in 2012 and generated a continuous stream of research grants from multiple agencies including NASA, NSF, and USGS and authored more than 200 publications and reports. The National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine selected Dr. Masterlark as a Jefferson Science Fellow, where he earned several formal commendations including the Meritorious Honor Award from the Bureau of Diplomatic Security. Prior to his academic career he served in the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, US Army. 

Research Expertise

Dr. Masterlark focuses on numerical models and geophysical data analysis. He pioneered methods to embed finite element models into Machine Learning-based optimization applications for satellite radar and other big data to investigate magma migration, earthquakes, and tsunami genesis. More recently, he began developing partnerships with industry to simulate underground storage of energy resources in salt caverns, to include assessments of cavern integrity. These partnerships extend into investigations of geothermal systems and exploration of magmatic systems via drilling. Dr. Masterlark is actively engaged in studies of fault stability and induced seismicity from human activities, such as reservoir impoundment and underground storage of carbon.