Geo-Institute Director’s Cut

S05 E43 - Walter Paniagua (Pilotec)

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 43 of Season 5, our guest is Walter Paniagua of Pilotec and the current North American Vice President of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering!
SHOW NOTES: 
- Can you beat Walter's 125 wpm? Test your typing speed here: https://www.typing.com/student/tests
- Here's a good place to start to learn about the geotech challenges of the Mexico City region: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/how-mexico-citys-unique-geology-makes-earthquakes-even-worse-180964972/
- Some basics on Oaxacan food: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oaxacan_cuisine
- Of course you should all become ISSMGE members. Find out more here: http://www.issmge.org
- Time to get fired up for the North American-hosted World Cup in 2026! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_FIFA_World_Cup
- We'll have more info on the 2028 PanAmerican conference starting next summer... we hope you can join us in March 2028!
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 E42 - Ryan Beemer (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 42 of Season 5, our guest is Ryan Beemer of Virginia Tech!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's the Bad Religion Christmas album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2MZyKvNMBg
- And in case you want to experience Bad Religion's non-holiday offerings - here's All Ages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZlwGKdPfio
- Glauconite! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glauconite
- I never knew bar shampoo and conditioner were a thing. Instead of promoting a single company, how about this subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/comments/133tp0o/how_to_use_conditioner_bars/
- Become a student member of ASCE for free! https://www.asce.org/communities/student-members
- Brian Boitano: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Boitano
- Because apparently we're all about Reddit today, here's some info on Perth! https://www.reddit.com/r/CanadianAwardTravel/comments/fv4d33/is_perth_actually_worth_visiting
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 E41 - John Folts (Earth Retention Systems)

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 5, our guest is John Folts of Earth Retention, a brand new member of the Geo-Institute Board of Governors!
SHOW NOTES:
- Yep, once again, lighting is a crazy thing.
- We are (mercifully) not the only ones that have thought about fry types/styles: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/22/dining/best-summer-french-fries.html
- And a glowing Schwartz's Deli review: https://www.shermansfoodadventures.com/2023/08/schwartzs-deli.html
- Info on New York's inaugural 2015 report card: https://infrastructurereportcard.org/new-york-infrastructure-receives-report-card/
- Tensar (not shockingly) has a GREAT intro to geosynthetics page: https://www.tensarinternational.com/resources/guides/introduction-to-geosynthetics
- Also not shockingly, Cooperstown has a vacation planning site, and it's not all baseball! https://www.thisiscooperstown.com/plan-your-visit/itineraries/
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 E40 - Mike Wysockey (Thatcher Foundations)

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 5, it's our annual Halloween episode! Or guest is Mike Wysockey of Thatcher Foundations.
SHOW NOTES:
- Show notes coming soon!
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 E39 - Sarah Springman (University of Oxford)

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 5, our guest is Sarah Springman of the University of Oxford - the 2025 Terzaghi lecturer!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's some background on the colleges at Oxford: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/colleges/what-are-oxford-colleges
- Turns out that the Monasavu Dam videos aren't as good as I thought. Here's a quick one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx0ZjZCYxU8
- Better to start here for more info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasavu_Dam
- Some background on Prince Philip's contributions to engineering in the UK: https://www.bbc.com/news/business-35201197
- Here's Mark Randolph's keynote from the ISFOG 2020 conference: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ns6eytE34
- Of course, you can see Sarah give her Terzaghi Lecture at Geotechnical Frontiers 2025! More info and registration at http://www.geotechnicalfrontiers.com.
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 E38 - Alexandra Clarà Saracho (University of Texas at Austin)

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 5, our guest is Alexandra Clarà Saracho of the University of Texas at Austin!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's some background on "Engineering of the Big." https://magazine.engr.utexas.edu/2023/engineering-of-the-big
- Here's the Bruce Lee BMW ad in question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXwJACmAchg
- Start here for the Oxford-Cambridge rivalry: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford%E2%80%93Cambridge_rivalry
- And here for Texas-Oklahoma, at least for football: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_River_Rivalry
- Spend a week with us in Louisville next spring at Geotechnical Frontiers! http://www.geotechnicalfrontiers.com
- Alex's research group and info about them is here: https://sites.utexas.edu/sarachoresearchgroup
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 E37 - Paola Bandini (New Mexico 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 37 of Season 5, our guest is Paola Bandini of New Mexico State University, and a current member of the G-I Technical Coordination Council!
SHOW NOTES:
- We recorded this episode LIVE at DFI 49 in Aurora, CO! I mean, all the episodes are recorded live, but this was in person.
- More info on CBBG - start here: https://cbbg.engineering.asu.edu
- Find out all about the Organ Mountains! https://www.blm.gov/programs/national-conservation-lands/new-mexico/organ-mountains-desert-peaks-national-monument
- Here's Paola's bio as a new Region Governor: https://www.asce.org/about-asce/elections/paola-bandini
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 E36 - Leela Krishna Mohan (Texas A&M)

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 5, our guest is Leela Krishna Mohan of Texas A&M University, and the current Vice Chair of the G-I Student Leadership Committee!
SHOW NOTES:
- Here's a quick talk by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam so you can see what Leela is talking about! Be inspired! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3SDkzDlw1yc
- Do you want to make chicken biryani? There are tons of recipes - here's one to get you going: https://www.indianhealthyrecipes.com/chicken-biryani-recipe
- Student membership in ASCE is FREE and a great way to start getting involved with the society! Start here: https://www.asce.org/communities/student-members
- More info on the Cross-USA Lecture! Be sure to apply to host the lecturer in 2025-26! https://www.geoinstitute.org/chapters/cross-usa-lectures
- Check out some of the projects from the Texas Instruments India Innovation Challenge: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLG0qIyPiMiS0l8aOA3vmguFDyPJOZLUUD
- More info on the A&M Center for Infrastructure Renewal! https://tti.tamu.edu/facilities/cir
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 E35 - Vishal Patel (American Geotechnical and Environmental Services)

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 5, our guest is Vishal Patel of American Geotechnical and Environmental Services, and the current President of the National Capital G-I chapter!
SHOW NOTES:
- The Mount Vernon Trail bridge is a super cool project: https://mountvernontrail.org/2024/05/23/rebuilt-bridge-23-opened-across-dyke-marsh/
- Specs on the HTC Shadow from 2009! https://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=1643
- Here's the website for the National Capital G-I Chapter: https://asce-ncsgi.org
- Want to go to Kalamazoo? Of course you do! Here's some info to start! https://www.discoverkalamazoo.com/
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 E34 - Kristin Ulmer (Southwest Research Institute)

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 34 of Season 5, our guest is Kristin Ulmer of Southwest Research Institute!
SHOW NOTES:
- First off, learn more about SwRI - it's a wild place! http://www.swri.org.
- The Next Generation Liquefaction project is here: https://nextgenerationliquefaction.org
- One of my personal favorite parenting Youtube channels: https://www.youtube.com/@UCq0a1MKwg_l0tN56r8u1ZSA
- Here's some USGS info about earthquakes in the Eastern US: https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/why-should-people-eastern-united-states-be-concerned-about-earthquakes
- Some fun stuff in San Antonio in the fall: https://alamocitymoms.com/in-and-around-san-antonio/things-to-do/fall-bucket-list-70-things-to-do-in-san-antonio-in-autumn/
- Kristin's Summer School episode on lateral Earth pressures! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wsph5Ut6TIA
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.