Simone Puel, MS Geology, 2017, Michigan Tech University
Advised by: Greg Waite
Thesis title: Comparison of Ambient Noise Methods to Find Surface-Wave Dispersion Curves at Pacaya Volcano, Guatemala
MS.c. Geological Sciences and Geotechniques, 2017, Univ. Milano-Bicocca
Ph.D. Geophysics, 2023, UT Austin
Home City: Trento, Italy
Simone’s publications.
MTU alumni Simone Puel, an expert in volcanology and earthquake physics, credits his transformative experience at Michigan Tech’s GMES program for launching his career. Thanks to the prestigious INVOGE dual-degree program, he studied with top researchers worldwide, sparking a passion for academia that led him to UT Austin and Caltech. Now an Earthquake Risk Modeler at Moody’s, he applies cutting-edge science to global challenges in insurance and finance. His journey, enriched by lifelong friendships and unforgettable road trips, exemplifies the boundless opportunities MTU offers. Ready to explore his remarkable story?
Q: Why did you choose MTU?
A: It was a pretty easy choice. MTU’s GMES program is one of the best in volcanology and volcano seismology, so it was a perfect fit for what I wanted to study. The double-degree program MTU offered (originally called INVOGE) with the University of Milano-Bicocca, the University at Buffalo, and Blaise Pascal University in France was a huge opportunity—it allowed me to study with top researchers worldwide.
Q: How did your time at MTU prepare you for your industry/career?
A: Working with great professors and researchers at MTU motivated me to keep pushing myself academically. If I hadn’t had such a positive experience there, I don’t think I’d have pursued a Ph.D. or had many of the career opportunities I’ve had since. MTU gave me a strong foundation that’s been crucial at every stage of my career.
Q: What has your career path been like since you graduated?
A: After my year at MTU, I returned to Italy to finish my Master’s degree. My research experience at MTU hooked me to academia, so I started applying to Ph.D. programs in the U.S. and New Zealand. In between, I interned at a geology engineering firm in Italy, giving me hands-on experience. Eventually, I headed to UT Austin for my Ph.D., where I focused on earthquake physics and advanced numerical models. After that, I spent time at Caltech as the Director’s Seismolab Scholar, studying how geodetic data can reveal information about Earth’s internal structure. Recently, I joined Moody’s as an Earthquake Risk Modeler, working on solutions to assess and manage seismic risks for sectors like insurance and finance, impacting industries and governments worldwide.
Q: What’s it like to return to the campus now? Have you noticed any changes?
A: I haven’t had the chance to visit Houghton or MTU since I left in 2016, but I’d love to come back one day and see how things have changed.
Q: What is the most impactful memory of your time here?A: Without a doubt, it’s the friendships I made. I’m still close with many friends from those days; some even came to my wedding recently. One unforgettable memory is a surprise party that friends threw for Diletta and me, the other Italian INVOGE student. Then there were the road trips we took—one all tHoughton to Tampa, Florida, and another that took us through Colorado, Utah, and Arizona, with a stop at Yellowstone National Park. Those are unforgettable experiences.
Q: What is your favorite activity when you return to campus?
A: If I return, I’d love to catch a Huskies hockey game and visit everyone in the GMES department. So many good memories were made there—it felt like a family.
Q: What advice would you give someone starting at Tech as a Husky?
A: Try to learn as much as possible, take advantage of the fantastic people there, and use the resources offered by the department and university. And, of course, always be curious. Enjoy the community, too—although the weather might be harsh sometimes, the friends you make there can last forever.
Q: Looking back, what opportunities do you wish you had taken advantage of here?
A: As it was my first experience studying in the U.S., I wasn’t fully aware of all the resources and opportunities MTU offered. I wish I’d explored more professional and networking events, maybe some career workshops and industry partnerships. Those could have been incredibly valuable early in my career.
Q: What networking opportunities did you take advantage of as a student?
A: As a student, I attended two great conferences: the BAciO workshop at the Stromboli volcano, where I connected with researchers from Italy, Hawaii, and Germany. The other was the AGU 2016 conference, which was a fantastic way to meet scientists from around the world and learn about different areas of Earth sciences.
Q: What is your current position’s unexpected benefit/skill set? What did you not realize at first was a part of what you do?
A: One unexpected benefit is how vital my broad scientific and engineering background has been in my current role. I hadn’t realized how essential it would be to combine knowledge from multiple areas to solve complex problems, especially in risk assessment at such a large scale.
Q: Any other comments?
A: Go Huskies!
