Susan Minkoff

Professor - Mathematical Sciences
972-883-6695
FO2402B
Tags: scientific computing with primary emphasis to date on numerical modeling for geoscience problems seismic imaging and wave propagation scientific computing on numerical modeling geoscience problems reservoir simulation mechanical deformation modeling mathematics and numerical simulation to model the 'real-world'

Professional Preparation

Ph.D. - Computational and Applied Mathematics
Rice University - 1995
M.A. - Computational and Applied Mathematics
Rice University - 1993
B.S. - Mathematics and Computer Science
Duke University - 1986

Research Areas

Research Interests

I consider myself a very applied mathematician. My general research area is scientific computing with primary emphasis to date on numerical modeling for geoscience problems (seismic imaging and wave propagation, reservoir simulation, and mechanical deformation modeling). Mainly I enjoy using mathematics and numerical simulation to model the "real-world" as closely as possible given limitations in physics, mathematics, and computer science. These studies tend to be data driven. Scientific computing balances applied mathematics, engineering, and computer science, using tools from all three subject areas to address physical problems of interest to applications scientists. I have broad interests that include not only earth science, but (perhaps unfortunately) almost all physical,chemical, and biological problems that can benefit from the skills and insights of an applied mathematician.

Publications

B. Brennan, R. C. Kirby, J. Zweck, and S. E. Minkoff, 2013. "High-performance Python-Based Simulations of Pressure and Temperature Waves in a Trace Gas Sensor," PyHPC 2013: Python for High Performance and Scientific Computing, accepted. 2013 - Publication
D. W. Vasco and S. E. Minkoff, 2012. "On the Propagation of a Disturbance in a Heterogeneous, Deformable, Porous Medium Saturated with Two Fluid Phases", Geophysics , vol. 77, no. 3, pp. L25-L44. 2012 - Publication
N. Petra, J. Zweck, S. E. Minkoff, A. A. Kosterev, and J. H. Doty III, 2011. "Modeling and Design Optimization of a Resonant Optothermoacoustic Trace Gas Sensor Sensor", SIAM J. on Applied Mathematics, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 309-332. 2011 - Publication
N. Petra, J. Zweck, S. E. Minkoff, A. A. Kosterev, and J. H. Doty, III, 2011. "Validation of a Model of a Resonant Optothermoacoustic Trace Gas Sensor," Proceedings of the CLEO/QELS: 2011 Laser Science to Photonic Applications Conference, #JTuI115. 2011 - Publication
N. Petra, A. A. Kosterev, J. Zweck, S. E. Minkoff, and J. H. Doty III, 2010. "Numerical and Experimental Investigation for a Resonant Optothermoacoustic Sensor", Proceedings of the CLEO/QELS: 2010 Laser Science to Photonic Applications Conference (San Jose, CA), May 16-21, 2010. 2010 - Publication
N. Petra, J. Zweck, A. Kosterev, S. Minkoff, and D. Thomazy, 2009. "Theoretical Analysis of a Quartz-Enhanced Photoacoustic Spectroscopy Sensor", Applied Physics B: Lasers and Optics, vol. 94, no. 4, pp. 673-680:DOI:10.1007/s00340-009-3379-1. 2009 - Publication
D. W. Vasco and S. E. Minkoff, 2009. "Modeling Flow in a Pressure-Sensitive, Heterogeneous Medium", Geophysical Journal International, vol. 179, pp. 972-989:DOI:10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04330.x. (Available upon request. The definitive version is available at Blackwell Publishing. ) 2009 - Publication
T. Vdovina, S. Minkoff, and S. Griffith, 2009. "A Two-Scale Solution Algorithm for the Elastic Wave Equation", SIAM J. Scientific Computing, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 3356-3386. 2009 - Publication
K. Chang, S. Minkoff, and S. Bryant, 2008. "Modeling Leakage through Faults of CO2 Stored in an Aquifer", 2008 Society of Petroleum Engineers Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, (Denver, CO), SPE 115929. 2008 - Publication
K. Chang, S. Minkoff, and S. Bryant, 2008. "Simplified Model for CO2 Leakage and its Attenuation due to Geological Structures", 9th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (Washington, DC), Energy Procedia Elsevier. 2008 - Publication

Additional Information

Honors and Awards
  • 2004 Honorable Mention for Best Paper: GeophysicsSUSAN E. MINKOFF CURRICULUM VITÆ 2
  • 1999 Outstanding Reviewer: Geophysics
  • 1996 The Robert Lowrey Patten Service Award, Rice University
  • 1993 The Graduate Student Association Service Award, Rice University
  • 1985 Phi Beta Kappa, Duke University

News Articles

Mathematician Helps Reveal Mysteries Beneath Earths Surface
The region below the surface of the Earth is a complicated place, with layers of rock, fluids and different types of soil that all behave in unique ways. So when energy companies need to drill through that subsurface to get to oil and gas deposits, they naturally rely on the expertise of geoscientists to help safely and efficiently navigate the underground terrain. But they also need mathematicians like Dr. Susan Minkoff. “My training is in mathematics, but I’m very interested in real-word problems in geosciences and other areas, such as optics,” said Minkoff, who recently joined the UT Dallas faculty as a professor in the Department of Mathematical Sciences. Minkoff uses complex equations to create mathematical models that describe various types of physical phenomena, such as how seismic waves and fluids travel through the Earth. Her research has applications in the oil and gas industry, where an understanding of the layout and behavior of subsurface regions is critical.