Geo-Institute Director’s Cut

S06 E42 - Amit Gajurel (AECOM)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 42 of Season 6, our guest is Amit Gajurel of AECOM!
SHOW NOTES:
- Info on the lowlands of Nepal: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terai
- Here's Amit's article from the April/May 2024 issue of GEOSTRATA. "From Collapse To Cutting-Edge: Geoforensic Innovations in Slope Repair." https://www.readgeo.com/geostrata/april_may_2024/MobilePagedArticle.action?articleId=1967373
- Here's info on the 2026 Geo-Challenge competitions: https://www.geocongress.org/program/student-program
- Just Google "momo steamer" to see the traditional Nepalese dumpling steamer!
- Info on the Nepalese "Day of the Dogs" is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kukur_Tihar
- The history of Reveille, the First Lady of Texas A&M! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reveille_(dog)
- The history of the Gurkhas in the British Army: https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/gurkhas
- Stick around past the music and credits for a momo recipe - you can make Nepalese dumplings at home!
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S06 E41 - Taylor Laramore and Emily Parks (Texas State University)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 41 of Season 6, our guests are Taylor Laramore and Emily Parks of Texas State University!
SHOW NOTES:
- More information on the CREATE University Transportation Research Center (UTC) here: https://create.engineering.txst.edu/
- The Texas State ASCE Chapter is at https://www.asce.org/communities/find-a-group/regions/region-6/tx-texas-section/texas-state-university AND there's a link to their Instagram account!
- Here's the page for the Texas State Strutters! https://txst.com/sports/dance-team
- Proof of the hold giant pencils have on people: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/giant-pencil-sharpening-1.7557371
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S05 E18 - Morgan Berger (American Geotechnical and Environmental Services Inc)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 18 of Season 5, our guest is Morgan Berger of American Geotechnical and Environmental Services and the National Capital G-I chapter!
SHOW NOTES:
- A fascinating story about the levee system in Lock Haven, PA: https://whyy.org/articles/how-to-balance-flood-protection-and-riverfront-fun-on-a-budget/
- One of the best places to get info on the National Capital Chapter is their LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/asce-geo-institute-national-capital-chapter/
- If you live in the DC area, here's Movement Gyms for climbing: https://movementgyms.com/crystal-city/
- And info on the Billy Goat Trail: https://www.nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/billy-goat-trail.htm
- Gene's Place would love to have you the next time you're in Pittsburgh: https://pittnews.com/article/107200/news/genes-place-local-drafts-and-loyal-drinkers/
- Info on the Netherlands Carillon: https://www.nps.gov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/netherlandscarillon.htm
- And Roosevelt Island: https://www.nps.gov/this/index.htm
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.

S06 E40 - Ghada Ellithy (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 40 of Season 6, our guest is Ghada Ellithy of Embry Riddle Aeronautical University!
SHOW NOTES:
- Music in this episode: Duran Duran - Too Much Information. From the 1992 album Duran Duran (The Wedding Album).
- More info on the labs at ERAU: https://daytonabeach.erau.edu/college...
- Find your local G-I chapter and GET INVOLVED! https://www.geoinstitute.org/chapters...
- Information on Van Gogh's Starry Night, which you can see in New York City: https://www.moma.org/collection/works...
- Here's info on the Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) system in Morgantown - it is VERY unique. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgant...
- Info on the brand new Grand Egyptian Museum: https://grandegyptianmuseum.org/
- Here's an Alexandria, Egypt travel guide: https://anywherenoteverywhere.com/202...
- The Geo-Extreme website is http://www.geo-extreme.org. You can watch the plenary sessions here on the Youtube channel and watch for info on the 2029 event!
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.

S06 E39 - Jim Hambleton (University of Cambridge) - Halloween Special!

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 39 of Season 6, our guest is Jim Hambleton of the University of Cambridge!
SHOW NOTES:
- First off, get to know JRR Tolkien, the author of The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._R._R._Tolkien
- And if you don't know Max Headroom, start here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Headroom
- Want to stop using buzzwords so they don't appear in your obituary? Start with this simple tool: https://app.readable.com/text/buzzwords/
- Yes, ASCE student membership is still FREE: https://www.asce.org/communities/student-members
- And here's where to start to get info on the Minnesota Geotechnical Society:https://www.mgs-gi.com/
- History of the Dinkytowner and other establishments that have occupied the same space over the years: https://www.reddit.com/r/Minneapolis/comments/r9u51a/rough_history_of_412_14th_ave_se_dinkytowner_et_al/
- We can never forget the I-35W bridge collapse - here's a great look back from PBS: https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/minneapolis-bridge-collapse-video/retro-report/
- Your background on the Curly Wurly: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curly_Wurly
- Happy Halloween to all - make it a great one!
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S06 E38 - Dimitrios Konstantakos (Deep Excavation LLC)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 38 of Season 6, our guest is Dimitrios Konstantakos of Deep Excavation LLC!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's something Dimitrios wrote about AI in 2018: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/last-engineering-profession-replaced-ai-dimitrios-konstantakos/
- You could have a story just like Dimitrios by exhibiting at Geo-Congress! Start at http://www.geocongress.org!
- There are a gazillion places to start learning chess. I'd just start at https://www.chess.com for tips, links to computer opponents, human opponents, etc.
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.

S06 E37 - Vaughan Griffiths (Colorado School of Mines, 2026 Terzaghi Lecturer)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 37 of Season 6, our guest is Vaughan Griffiths of Colorado School of Mines, the 2026 Karl Terzaghi Lecturer!
SHOW NOTES:
- Start learning about ALGOL 68 here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ALGOL_68
- Want to run for region governor? We have procedures for that! https://www.asce.org/-/media/asce-images-and-files/about-asce/official-register/geographic-region-governor-qualifications.pdf
- Student membership is still free, just like it was when Vaughan was a student: https://www.asce.org/communities/student-members
- Of course, there's more info about the Terzaghi Lecture here: https://www.asce.org/career-growth/awards-and-honors/karl-terzaghi-lecture
- And more info about Geo-Congress 2026 in case you want to watch Vaughan's lecture: http://www.geocongress.org
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.

S06 E36 - Marsha Anderson Bomar (GHD Group, 2025-26 ASCE President)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 36 of Season 6, our guest is Marsha Anderson Bomar of GHD USA and the 2025-26 ASCE President!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's Marsha's LinkedIn profile if you want to reach out to her about ANYTHING: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marsha-anderson-bomar/
- If you've ever ridden MARTA, you've probably been to the Five Points station: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Points_station
- Here's info about the upcoming 2026 Winter Paralympics so you can prep: https://www.paralympic.org/milano-cortina-2026
- And more info about arts and culture in the 96 Olympics: https://www.atlantahistorycenter.com/blog/not-just-sports-arts-and-culture-of-the-96-games/
- View the glory of the TRS-80 handheld: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tandy_Pocket_Computer
- Of course we have a link to the Small Business Innovation in Research (SBIR) program! https://www.sbir.gov/
- The brand new ASCE2027 website is located at https://experience.asce.org/. Submit your content today!
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S06 E35 - Alba Yerro-Colom (Virginia Tech)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 35 of Season 6, our guest is Alba Yerro-Colom of Virginia Tech!
SHOW NOTES:
- Why is it natural that a Virginia Tech person picks Metallica for the music in their episode? Check this out and you'll understand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YC8LLYMp4M4
- Here's the numerical modeling software Alba developed: https://github.com/Anura3D/Anura3D_OpenSource/wiki
- As you might suspect, there are thousands of websites telling you what you should do when you visit Barcelona. Here is just one: https://www.trvbox.com/our-top-10-things-to-do-in-barcelona/
- Learn more about the human towers of Catalunya: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iSHfrmGdyo
- This is not Alba's research site, but I find NASA does a pretty good job of explaining things to the public. Here's a landslide prediction page related to the Global Precipitation Measurement Mission (GPMM): https://gpm.nasa.gov/landslides/
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.
 

S06 E33 - Morteza Mirsheakari (Atlas, San Diego G-I chapter)

On Director's Cut, Geo-Institute Director Brad Keelor interviews G-I members about anything and everything. You might hear about their favorite geotechnical project, their favorite music, or their favorite pie. In Episode 33 of Season 6, our guest is Morteza Mirshekari of Atlas Engineering, GeoIntegrate, and the San Diego and Orange County G-I chapters!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's the excavator song by Blippi. Try not to sing along. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAguWAJTmBM
- GeoIntegrate is easy to find (and easy to use): https://geo-integrate.com/
- There are surprisingly few places to go learn Farsi. Here's a free resource if you're interested: https://easypersian.com/
- Get all the info you need on Geo-Congress at http://www.geocongress.org! We'll be in Salt Lake City for the 30th Geo-Congress in just a few months!
- To learn more about Chabahar and Iran's South Coast, start here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chabahar
- Stick around til the end to see Morteza describe the kamancheh, a traditional Iranian instrument that he plays!
The Geo-Institute is a technical society with about 12,000 geotechnical engineers and geologists as members. Find out more or join at http://www.geoinstitute.org.
Music courtesy of very cool Seattle band Head Like A Kite. Song is Director's Cut from the 2010 album Dreams Suspend Night. Check them out at http://www.headlikeakite.com.