Research Student Spotlight: Ravi Myanger

Our monthly spotlight on the work and lives of the next generation of researchers passionate about the energy transition. 

Time in Leeds 

Ravi joined the School of Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds in 2021 to pursue a degree in geophysics. In 2023, he spent a year at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore as part of an integrated master’s program. Then he returned to Leeds to finish the last year of his degree in 2024.  

Speaking about his experience here, he says: 

Leeds has access to really useful resources. This includes the Fibre optic sensing facility, computer labs in which students like me are able to do work in and also access to a wide range of industry standard software. We are taught how to use these software during our time at Leeds which prepares us for industry really well. 

Research with impact 

For his final-year research project, Ravi took on the opportunity to use the Geothermal Campus Living Lab and contribute to one of the university’s most ambitious sustainability initiatives. 

His project focuses on exploring the potential of Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology in urban geothermal environments. For example, the technology could play a key role in sustainable geothermal management by quantifying subsurface heat and monitoring any induced seismicity.   

What motivated him to do this research was the fact that these findings could contribute to the wider sustainable energy innovation scene and reinforce Leeds’ position as a leader in climate action.  

Ravi also adds: 

I saw that this was a really meaningful project that would provide genuine insight into the campus geothermal project and also the ability of the cutting-edge fibre optics sensing equipment that the university is lucky to have access to. 

A supportive research experience 

Ravi's dissertation was supervised by Dr Adam Booth and Dr Roger Clark, geophysics professors involved in the Geothermal Campus initiative at the University of Leeds. 

During his project, he faced challenges, including issues in the initial log data provided by previous contractors. He also found it difficult to learn how to use unfamiliar software and to write the necessary code.  

However, Ravi highlights the support he received from his supervisors: “Dr Adam Booth and Dr Roger Clark were always available and happy to help me overcome these challenges. Their huge amount of passion and knowledge in geophysics was really inspiring for me as a student, and because of this, made the project enjoyable and meaningful “.  

In March, Ravi attended the Student Sustainability Conference, where his poster won first place in the “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” category.  The conference brought together students from a wide range of disciplines interested in sustainability. Ravi found it particularly valuable to see to see how others approached the topic from perspectives outside of geoscience. 

Reflecting on the experience, he said: 

It was a really rewarding feeling to have the opportunity to present the project and explain what geophysics was to people that had never heard of it before.   

Future ambitions 

Ravi plans to do some travelling straight after graduating. After this, he wishes to pursue a career in the renewable energy industry.   

He believes that his geophysics degree at Leeds has both inspired him and provided the skills and motivation needed to succeed in this path.