Bar Oryan

What are your research interests?

My research focuses on earthquake physics and the mechanics of subduction zones. I study how tectonic faults accumulate and release strain across timescales ranging from seconds during earthquake rupture to thousands of years of landscape evolution. My work combines geodesy, seismology, geomorphology, and physics-based numerical modeling to understand megathrust coupling, seismic cycles, aseismic slip, and upper plate deformation, with the broader goal of improving our understanding of seismic hazard.

What classes are you teaching at Lehigh?

I will be teaching courses in data science, research computing, and Earth dynamics, with a focus on earthquake physics, tectonics, and quantitative approaches to Earth science.

What degrees do you hold and where did you earn them?

Bachelor of Science in Physics and Geosciences (Tel Aviv University); Master of Science in Geophysics (Tel Aviv University); Master of Arts in Earth and Environmental Sciences (Columbia University); Master of Philosophy in Earth and Environmental Sciences (Columbia University); Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences (Columbia University)

What was your previous institution?

Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego

What do you enjoy most about teaching?

What I enjoy most about teaching is helping students connect physical intuition with real Earth processes. I value creating a learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions, exploring ideas, and building quantitative tools that let them investigate meaningful geoscience problems for themselves.

Why did you choose Lehigh?

Lehigh stood out to me because of its strong sense of community, its commitment to excellent teaching and impactful research, and the opportunity to join a department where I could build an ambitious and collaborative research program while mentoring students in a supportive environment.