‌‌ Ty Ferre is a professor in the Department of Hydrology and Water Resources at the University of Arizona. He studies vadose zone hydrology and the application of geophysical methods to hydrologic characterization and monitoring. More recently, he and his students have been looking into the general topic of how we should build models, and how we should choose which data to collect, to address applied hydrogeologic problems.

Ferré's lecture explores how the practice of hydrology depends on computer models while at the same time new methods have been adapted or developed for characterizing and monitoring the subsurface. 

He notes these two areas have evolved almost completely independently of one another, but posits a unified approach is needed — designing measurement methods in the context of numerical analyses that address specific scientific and management questions. Accordingly, Ferré will present an integrated overview of the relationships among models, measurements, and decisions, including: 

• Discussing what is actually being measured when measurements are made, with a focus on the large scale from pumping tests to geophysics    
• Describing how these measurements currently are being merged with models and how this process could be improved 
• Covering how hydrogeologists can turn the standard approach to combining measurements and models around by using models to help identify more informative measurements 
• Exploring how the optimal design of a measurement and modeling campaign can, and should be, driven by the specific practical or scientific questions being asked. 

There will be half an hour for questions following the talk. All are welcome to attend and no booking is required.

This event is sponsored by NERC AMUSED project (Dr Rafael Rosolem)