Research Spotlight: Brandon VanderBeek

From a small town in Michigan to research institutions across Europe, Brandon’s career journey has been driven by a passion for understanding the Earth beneath our feet. Now at Geosolutions Leeds, his work focuses on using seismic imaging to support geothermal energy development and help tackle real-world challenges in the energy transition.

Life Before Leeds

Brandon grew up in a small, historically Dutch town in Michigan, USA, called Holland. He completed a BSc in Geological Sciences at Western Michigan University in 2012.

'During my studies, I realised a geoscience research-based career mixes several different scientific disciplines, offers travel opportunities to some very exotic (at least to a Midwesterner like me) locations (e.g., mountain ranges, volcanoes, ocean expeditions)', shares Brandon.

Brandon then started his research career with a PhD at the University of Oregon, focusing on marine seismology. He completed his PhD in 2019 and began a 6-year research fellowship at the University of Padua, Italy.  

Time at Leeds

After several years in Italy working on deep-earth structures, Brandon wanted to develop expertise in more applied geophysics topics, like geothermal.  

'I found geothermal energy particularly compelling because it connected my background in seismology to real-world challenges in the energy transition.’

Coincidentally, a research fellowship opened in Leeds that fit his profile, and he joined Geosolutions Leeds in February 2025. 

Reflecting on his experience here, Brandon says: 

Being home to Geosolutions Leeds, it was a great place to learn about geothermal energy from an interdisciplinary perspective. Additionally, I have heard that the School of Earth and Environment was a very academically, socially active and welcoming department. My experience confirms this 100%!

‘I’m primarily motivated by the exploration aspect of my work. I focus on constructing images of Earth’s interior in locations where very few or sometimes no one has explored. I find it exciting to see what’s below our feet’, shares Brandon.  

His research at Leeds focuses on constructing 3D images of the subsurface (0-10 km depth) at high-temperature geothermal sites. The main focus is on the Hengill geothermal field in Iceland.

We create such images to identify promising targets for geothermal wells used to extract energy from Earth’s naturally hot interior. This is especially important for volcanically active regions.  

What we are looking for are locations with underground fluids and pathways through which those fluids can flow toward the surface, carrying heat that is ultimately used to generate electricity.

However, creating these images can be challenging, shares Brandon. 

The team's only direct means of looking into the Earth is via drilling. However, this is both expensive and only gives a 1D view at a specific location.  

Instead, Brandon uses recordings of seismic waves from earthquakes to build a 3D picture. The speed at which these waves propagate reflects the composition of the rock. Brandon and the Geosolutions team sample the subsurface from many different directions. Therefore, the team can reconstruct spatial variations in the materials through which the waves travelled, in a manner similar to a medical CT scan. 

What makes our approach unique is its ability to map fractures—the primary conduits for fluid flow—and explore many thousands of possible images from which we can estimate uncertainties in subsurface conditions.

The latter is particularly critical when it comes time to choose targets for more expensive exploration/drilling operations.  

Ultimately, our goal is to reduce risk in geothermal exploration by improving constraints on subsurface conditions.

Future ambitions

Shortly after starting his position in Geosolutions Leeds, Brandon was awarded a Marie Curie Fellowship to the University of Oxford, beginning in February 2026. 

The fellowship is also focused on seismic imaging of geothermal systems, and Brandon hopes to keep close ties to colleagues at Leeds.  

Over the following years, he hopes to demonstrate improved imaging strategies for exploring geothermal reservoirs and secure a permanent position either in academia or the geothermal sector.