Debbie Lawrence

Geophysicist

“Have integrity. Stay on top of technology. Once you’ve got your degree, it’s only the beginning.”

Career Highlights
  • Co-founder of Pinnacle Seismic, which specializes in crafting subsurface models taken from seismic data
  • Uses geophysical principals to process field-collected data using giant mega-computers, the equivalent of 60 linked computers
  • Creates pictures of an area’s subsurface that companies use to determine where to drill for water or hydrocarbons
  • Loves math and science as well as the freedom of being her own boss

STEM Gems Club

Is a career in Geophysics in your future? Geophysicists like STEM Gem Debbie Lawrence use math to create visual models of what lies beneath Earth’s surface. The models are used to decide where to drill for water or hydrocarbons, such as coal or natural gas. She compares her science to piecing together a puzzle or cracking a code. Watch one of the videos. Then, with your STEM Gems Tribe, discuss, explore, reflect, and act.

Videos