About us: We are a group of geomorphologists working in mountain landscapes. Our research focuses on the interactions between climate, tectonics, Earth’s surface, and life. We use a combination of field work, numerical modeling, and geochemical methods, including tracer thermochronology, cosmogenic nuclides, and soil geochemistry. We also collaborate with microbial ecologists, biogeochemists, geophysicists, and hydrologists to address interdisciplinary questions in Earth Surface Processes.

Interested in joining us?  I recruit 1 PhD student and 1-2 UC Merced undergrads to join my lab most years. Graduate applications are generally due in mid-December in order to be considered for fellowships. Have a look around the research and personnel pages to learn more about our current research directions, and contact me if you’re interested in talking about possible projects. You can find out more about the Environmental Systems program at UC Merced here: https://es.ucmerced.edu/prospective-students

You can reach me at clukens<at>ucmerced.edu.