LITHOS Lab Members

Dr. Brandon Shuck

Deploying ocean-bottom seismometers for the ¡Me Gusta! cruise offshore Mexico.

I am currently an Assistant Professor at LSU and PI of the LITHOS lab. My passion for geosciences was instilled during my early youth growing up in Colorado Springs, CO. This curiosity about Earth’s natural beauty led me to Western Colorado University, where I received B.S. degrees in Geology and Mathematics. Following, I pursued a PhD at the University of Texas at Austin Institute for Geophysics. At UT, I infused my background in geology and mathematics by developing skills in marine geophysics to study plate tectonic processes. After graduating from UT, I worked at Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow for three years before starting my current position in the faculty at LSU.

Brandon taking a nap on famous Chevron fold limbs on the island of Crete. Even though I am primarily a geophysicist, I still love exploring outcrops.

OBS coming on deck

Are you passionate about exploring the secrets of the Earth? Want to pursue a graduate degree in geophysics & tectonics to learn practical skills to prepare you for a job in academia, government, or industry? Do you enjoy the challenges of research and getting to participate in unique adventures?

We are looking for enthusiastic students/postdocs to join our research group! Please see below for current opportunities. But if that project doesn’t suit your interest, get in touch anyways and we can discuss other projects/avenues for funding.

Join us!

Re-entry cone on IODP cruise

Recovered mantle peridotites

Can’t beat sunrises at sea

Current Openings

Seeking one PhD student to work on NSF-funded project to analyze mantle dynamics during incipient seafloor spreading in the Atlantic following the breakup of the Pangea supercontinent. We are interested in how anomalous mantle temperature, composition, and flow patterns from prior subduction & supercontinent cycle influence subsequent mid-ocean ridge processes. Student will get to sail on the Langseth to acquire seismic reflection/refraction data and analyze these for their PhD project!

Experiment taking place Fall 2025!

Collaborative project between LSU, LDEO, UT Austin, and Syracuse