I wanted to share something that I learned this fall. I am sure every year you notice the geese flying south for the winter. They fly in a V formation and one side of the V is longer than the other. The reason? There are more geese on that side.
Moving On...
Sandra Snaith would like to let her fellow colleagues and friends know she has left the Seismic Industry to pursue her dreams. You can contact her at 403-899-5927, or personal email sandrasnaith@hotmail.com for coffee.
Graduate Student Profiles
An integral part of the geophysical and geoscience industry is the universities. We will be publishing graduate student profiles from universities in Canada and abroad.
This is an opportunity for both universities and graduate students to showcase their research. The RECORDER is read by over 2000 members of the CSEG every month with members in 16 countries. So this is an excellent way to make the geophysical community aware of the new research being undertaken. It is also a way for the graduate students to introduce themselves and their area of specialization to the geophysical community. This could also lead to future employment opportunities.
The RECORDER committee will be contacting universities and inviting them to submit graduate student profiles. But please don’t wait until someone contacts you. Be proactive and contact us!
Azie Sophia Aziz,
University of Houston
I was born in Malaysia and moved to the United States for school in 2004. I received my Bachelor’s in Electrical Engineering from the Multimedia University in Malaysia. I then pursued my M.S. degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA, in 2005. I am currently pursuing Ph.D. studies in exploration geophysics at the Department of Earth of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Houston under the supervision of Dr. Robert Stewart. He introduced me to the field of ground penetrating radar (GPR). My primary focus is the imaging and analysis of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for applications in geotechnical engineering, archeology, and reservoir analogs. I incorporated remote sensing techniques like Lidar and GPR to investigate unmarked burials in a historical cemetery in Houston. GPR is fascinating and I applied the technique to image the bars of the Ferron sandstone in Utah. I was interested in improving the 3D interpretation by making it easy for everyone, as a team usually consists of multidisciplinary members. During my Ph.D. studies, I was awarded with the Best Poster for Ph.D. student at the 2013 Robert Sheriff Symposium. I was also awarded a patent (“Geophysical Data Acquisition System”). I am an SEG Foundation fellow from 2010 until present. I am also the recipient of Natural Science and Mathematics Alumni scholarship from 2014 until present. During my school years, I competed in the final round (1st runner up) at the 2014 and 2015 SEG Gulf Coast Challenge Bowl.
My interest in geophysics began when I was with PETRONAS University research team that built the receiver used to detect hydrocarbon deposits as an integral part of Controlled-Source Electromagnetic system. The work involved a number of tasks that required me to get a basic understanding of geophysics. From thereon my interest in the field grew. The ultimate moment that convinced me to pursue Earth and Atmospheric Sciences as a field of study was when I was invited to represent PETRONAS on the EM survey vessel Siem Shasha to observe mapping operations. That was a very exciting and rewarding experience and one that fortified and strengthened my intention to pursue my graduate studies in geophysics.
My first opportunity in practicing geophysics was when I interned with KMS Technologies as a geophysicist in Houston, Texas, USA. I then interned with ConocoPhillips in Houston. In summer 2014, I interned with Shell Exploration and Production Company in the marine imaging team as an exploration geophysicist intern. I was responsible for analyzing an alternative method to identify surface related multiples/noise in Wide Azimuth Marine sub-salt reservoir data in the Gulf of Mexico using Shell Exploration propriety software, which resulted in a computational cost reduction and 100% satisfied client. I also performed Reverse Time Migration (RTM) for 3D marine seismic data.
Outside academia, I keep myself busy with the Society of Exploration Geophysicist (SEG). I was invited to be part of Wiki Champion Committee member and also The Committee on University and Student Programs (CUSP). I was given a responsibility to lead the Pop-Up Talks for the Young Professional and students at the 85th SEG Annual Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. I had previously held several positions at the University of Houston SEG Student Chapter, Wavelets including the Vice President and the Alumni Chair.
One of the greatest things that I learned in my journey is it is never too late to switch to exploration geophysics and I should never be afraid of competing with my peers although I do not have any background in geosciences. This is the greatest thing that I learned and at the same time is my greatest challenge. I would also like to be the source of inspiration to those who might consider geophysics as a field of study.
You can reach me at azie.sophia.aziz@gmail.com.
Share This Column