Andrew Freed

Professor

freed@purdue.edu
Curriculum Vitae
Associated website(s):

Google Scholar , Personal Website , Planetary Sciences , Geology & Geophysics

Education

1998 PhD, Geophysics, University of Arizona
1988 MS, Applied Mechanics, Utah State University
1983 BS, Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University

Research Interests

My group uses numerical models to study geophysical processes on the Earth such as earthquakes and subduction zones and on other planets such as asteroid impacts and consequences of volcanic flows. Our earthquake studies have concentrated on postseismic relaxation where in geodetic measurements of surface deformation following an earthquake can be used to infer the viscoelastic rheology of the lower crust and upper mantle. Our planetary studies are able to unravel the entire evolution of impact craters from excavation and modification of the first few hours through cooling and isostatic adjustment through the next hundreds of millions of years and answer key questions about the characteristics of these bodies very early in the solar system.

Teaching Interests

I have taught undergraduate and graduate courses for majors in geophysics and planetary science, but my current (and favorite) teaching revolves around two large service classes that I developed to teach science to non-majors. EAPS 105: The Planets teaches about how solar systems are born and die, the formation of rocky and giant planets, orbital mechanics, asteroid impacts, volcanism, atmospheres, planetary rings, moons, the hazards of space travel, and why Pluto IS a planet. EAPS 106: Geosciences in the Cinema focuses on the accuracy of depictions of natural hazards in movies to explore the underlying processes that control these hazards, the dangers they present, and how students can prepare and keep themselves safe.

Teach awards include the Murphy Award (Purdue’s top teaching honor), being inducted into Purdue’s Teaching Academy and The Book of Great Teachers, and twice being voted the Exponent Readers’ Choice Award for the #1 overall “Best Professor “at Purdue.

Students Taught Counter: 29,174 (as of 12/2024)

Rocket Science:

I spent the first decade of my career designing solid rocket motors and other space vehicles as an engineer working in industry. This included working on the fateful solid rocket boosters that led to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster (not my fault) and the subsequent investigation and redesign effort.