Dr Livsey leads hydrogeological investigations with expertise in field and model-based investigations of sediment transport, hydrodynamics and water quality. He has conducted field work in Antarctica, Australia, Texas, and California with applied research outcomes in processes spanning turbulent to geologic timescales. Most recently he was the principal lead of geotechnical investigations at the USDA Agriculture Research Service Hydraulic Engineering Research Unit. His work led to the first physical derivation of unsaturated soil erosion to provide a predictive framework to constrain probability of failure analysis for earthen embankments, including failure due to overtopping, spillway failure, and/or piping.
Prior to the USDA his work focused on method and sensor development for suspended-sediment monitoring that resulted in 1) an Australia National Industry Guidelines for hydrometric monitoring and 2) lower-cost methods and sensor technology for the monitoring of in-stream particle size, dissolved and particulate nutrients, and water quantity. Across his career he has utilized field-based investigations, numerical modelling, and machine learning. His work in machine learning has resulted in methods to reduce water quality and quantity monitoring costs, reduce computation time in coupled hydrodynamic/sediment transport models, and provide real-time flood forecasting in reservoirs and streams. As a subject matter expert, he has provided guidance to United States and Australia government agencies on future research directions in peer-reviewed journals, reports, and invited presentations.
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PhD (Geology), University of California, USA
B.S. (Geology), Oklahoma State University, USA
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Joined 2024