Asim Yousftzai, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

E-mail: Asim.Yousafzai@usm.edu
Office: Walker Science, HBG
Phone : (601) 266-4529
Fax : (601) 266-6219
Personal Webpage

Education

B.S. 1993 University of Peshawar, Pakistan
M.S. 1997 University of Peshawar, Pakistan
Ph.D. 2005 Kent State University

Teaching Interests

GLY 101	Physical Geology
GLY 103	Historical Geology
GLY 411/511	Applied Groundwater Geochemistry
GLY 476/576	Hydrology

Research Interests
Groundwater Hydrogeology, Geochemistry, Numerical Modeling

I study the role of groundwater flow in the World’s most tectonically active region i.e. Himalayas. My approach is quantitative, strongly interdisciplinary and involves extensive Field work. I have mapped and sampled groundwater for both hydrogeological and hydrochemical studies. Understanding data often requires numerical or analytical modeling such as heat and groundwater flow modeling. My research involves the study of deep groundwater flow in foreland basins and the role of geofluids in geologic and geophysical processes. I develop both 2-D and 3-D finite element simulations to analyze the coupling of fluid flow, chemical reactions, and rock deformation on geologic time scales. In general I am interested in combining data and techniques across disciplines. Specifically, I am interested in:

Some of the problems necessitate a better understanding of fundamental concepts which can lead to new contributions in fields such as percolation theory, numerical modeling, and fluid mechanics.

I believe that the interdisciplinary and quantitative nature of my research is ideal for involvement of students at both the undergraduate and graduate level. Applications of the projects I have worked on lie in the areas of surface and subsurface hydrology, environmental geology, water management, tectonics, hydroseismicity, ore deposits geology, petroleum geology, and geothermal energy exploration.

Integrating surface water models with hydrogeologic models is important for understanding the transfer of fluids, solutes, and suspended material on the Earth's surface and in the crust. Specifically, I would like to investigate the relationship between surface water runoff, water infiltration into the ground, discharge of groundwater at springs, and mixing of ground and surface water. The goal is to quantify patterns and rates of water, contaminant, or heat transfer. This approach is particularly important in areas with a strong potential for mixing of surface and groundwater, such as in karst or volcanic systems as well as in heavily irrigated regions. Understanding the complex interconnectivity between water on the surface and in the ground has implications in environmental geology, geomorphology, geothermal energy exploration, and water management.