Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte

Laura J. Pyrak-Nolte, a Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Purdue University, has made numerous contributions to the field of rock mechanics and engineering. Her work is guided by commitments to promoting environmental safety and enhancing renewable energy production. 

Pryak-Nolte is an expert on the acoustic, mechanical and transport characteristics of porous and fractured media, which has led to innovations that include increasing the availability of fresh water and exploring the power of geothermal resources to heat and cool our homes. Her research has led to novel ways to reveal how seismic waves can be utilized to characterize fractured rock masses and how the fractured medium affects the propagation of seismic waves.

She leads the Rock Physics Research Group that studies the physics of fractures in rock, detecting whether they slip or leak fluids into the environment. Understanding fractures is vitally important to a wide range of fields, including improving the safety and efficacy of geothermal energy and natural gas production, carbon sequestration and nuclear waste disposal.

Pyrak-Nolte received her Ph.D. from the Department of Materials Science and Mineral Engineering at University of California, Berkeley