GOM2 proudly announces the graduation of Zach Murphy, who has earned his PhD in Geological Sciences.

Supervised by Dr. Peter B. Flemings and co-supervised by Dr. David A. DiCarlo, Dr. Murphy’s research tackled one of the most complex challenges in energy and environmental geoscience: how fluids move through hydrate-bearing sediments. Gas hydrates are found in vast quantities in permafrost and marine sediments and are considered both a potential energy resource and a means for carbon sequestration.

Zach developed innovative laboratory methods to form hydrates in porous media and conducted systematic flow experiments to measure how water, gas, and hydrate phases interact. His work revealed that, in hydrate systems, water consistently acts as the wetting phase, while gas and hydrate are non-wetting. This insight allowed him to propose a new modeling framework for predicting the relative permeability of hydrate-bearing systems—one that relies on the actual characteristics of the porous media rather than simplified geometric assumptions.

Zach’s work offers enhanced models for multiphase fluid flow and carbon exchange in hydrate systems, with applications extending to permafrost and other geologic environments. His research not only supports the development of methane hydrates as a future energy resource but also strengthens the scientific foundation for using hydrate reservoirs in global carbon management strategies.

Zach’s innovative approach and dedication have prepared him for a promising career at the intersection of energy, climate science, and geotechnical engineering.

Congratulations to Dr. Zachary W. Murphy on this outstanding accomplishment!