Jeffrey M. Yarus, PhD, is a research professor in the materials science and engineering department at Case Western Reserve University, where he applies decades of industry and academic experience to research, instruction, and the advancement of applied geostatistics. A recent Marquis Who’s Who honoree, Dr. Yarus has led a career spanning nearly five decades. His work has integrated geological modeling, reservoir characterization, and quantitative geosciences. Recognized for his spatial modeling and data analytics expertise, Dr. Yarus has held leadership roles in academia and the energy sector, making significant contributions to the field through research, software development, and education.
Professional and Academic Career
Dr. Yarus earned a Bachelor of Arts in geology from The College of Wooster, followed by a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in mathematical geology from the University of South Carolina. His early career included roles as a geologist at the Amoco Production Co. and the Marathon Oil Company, where he specialized in exploration, production, and mathematical geology. Over the next two decades, he advanced into leadership positions at Geomath Inc., Roxar, and Halliburton, where he managed reservoir modeling, spearheaded the development of one of the petroleum industry’s leading commercial spatial modeling software packages, and acquired several U.S. patents related to geological modeling.
Dr. Yarus has also made significant contributions as a dedicated educator committed to fostering technical leadership in geosciences. He previously served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Colorado Denver and the University of Houston before joining Case Western Reserve University in 2019. His research centers on applied geostatistics, spatiotemporal modeling, and data analytics in the geosciences, fields in which he has published extensively, with work spanning both petroleum and environmental applications.
Dr. Yarus has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious George Matheron Lecture Award and the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award. He is an active member of professional organizations such as the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the Geological Society of America, and the Society of Petroleum Engineers.
Advancing Industries Through Target Instruction
Dr. Yarus is also actively involved in professional education, offering specialized courses tailored to industry professionals in the United States and abroad. His teaching emphasizes the evolving role of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and informatics in geosciences, preparing professionals to manage and analyze the tsunami of data now accessible for quantitative geological analysis.
Dr. Yarus recently delivered industry training programs for PTTEP, Thailand’s national exploration and production company, and Cairn Oil and Gas, India’s largest private crude oil producer, as well as several U.S.-based firms. His expertise remains a vital resource for the next generation of geoscientists, particularly in applying advanced data science methods to practical geological challenges. He emphasizes that success in the field depends on technical adaptability to emerging information technologies, professional networking, and perseverance in facing challenges.
