11 July 2024 – Ilma del Carmen Juarez-Garfias, a doctoral student at Victoria University of Wellington, said it was a privilege to attend the 7 th edition of the school on Passive Imaging & Monitoring in Wave Physics: From Seismology to Ultrasound in Corsica, France. SSA’s new Paul Andrew Spudich Travel Grant made her experience possible.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the generous donors who supported this grant,” she says of the $2, 300 award she received in March to support her travel. “Their investment in young scientists like myself demonstrates a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.”
Held in June at the Institut d’Études Scientifiques de Cargèse, the summer school was a perfect match for Juarez-Garfias’ focus on ambient noise signals and how to detect, characterize and use them to characterize the medium, mapping and monitoring structures. She received helpful feedback on her research methodology, particularly in using ambient seismic noise to calculate Green’s functions and derive ground motion information from many earthquake simulations along the Alpine Fault. The sessions about ocean waves and DAS applications were particularly relevant to her research and gave her a better understanding of how these principles apply across different domains.
“As an enthusiast of using ambient noise signals for fault monitoring, this program offered a one-of-a-kind chance to delve into advanced techniques and methodologies under the guidance of leading experts in the field,” she says. “Attending this summer school gave me invaluable knowledge and skills directly applicable to my research interests, [and] the networking opportunities allowed me to connect with peers and mentors who share similar interests, paving the way for future collaborations and opportunities.”
She recalls being struck by “the sense of belonging” she felt during the program, saying the experience “reinforced my place in the academic environment.”
Welcoming applicants each February, the Paul Andrew Spudich Travel Grant program assists members like Juarez-Garfias who are just starting their careers in seismology. The awards are supported by SSA’s Paul Andrew Spudich Fund. Established through a generous anonymous gift in 2023, the fund honors the life and accomplishments of Paul Andrew Spudich (1950-2019), a pioneering seismologist and beloved member of the SSA community. Grants are offered exclusively to early-career and student members whose research focuses on earthquake source physics or ground motion prediction, areas Spudich made important contributions to during his distinguished career with the U.S. Geological Survey.
“Paul Spudich’s legacy in seismology is characterized by groundbreaking research, dedication to public safety and a spirit of adventure that inspired colleagues and continues to inspire future generations in the field,” says Juarez-Garfias, who found inspiration of her own in the summer school’s session and posters about wave propagation on Mars. They opened her eyes to new avenues to explore in her research.
She says she’s been spreading the word about SSA’s newest grant program, which helps newcomers to seismology overcome the financial obstacles that can stand in the way of their participation in scientific conferences. These experiences couldn’t be more important as they help members make progress on their research, explore new possibilities for their future careers and contribute to the SSA mission of advancing seismology worldwide.
“Attending the Passive Imaging & Monitoring in Wave Physics summer school supported by the Paul Andrew Spudich Travel Grant has been a transformative experience,” says Juarez-Garfias. “It has equipped me with the tools and perspectives to advance my academic journey and reinforced my commitment to contributing meaningfully to seismology.”