Wesley Burrows, Phd Email & Phone Number

Lower Hutt

During this short-term contract at end of 2016, I provided technical support for the development and calibration of groundwater models in both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

Flinders University

PhD RESEARCHThe focus of my PhD research was on development of a methodology that helps to alleviate the huge computational burdens that arise from calibration and predictive uncertainty analysis of complex groundwater models that have very large runtimes and a propensity for numerical instability. This research utilized the PEST suite of software and involved the use of fast running surrogate models for the purposes of populating the Jacobian matrix required for those analyses. Meanwhile the original complex model is maintained for the model runs that require maximum accuracy. Outcomes from this research has demonstrated that such conjunctive complex/simple model usage has much promise and may become a necessary device for conducting calibration and uncertainty analysis of detailed groundwater models. This research has also contributed to development of functionality now available in PEST that allows for implementation of this strategy.

Bowen Hills

Prior to commencement of my PhD endeavors I joined AGE for a brief but productive 6 month period (Sept 2011 – March 2012) and maintain a healthy relationship with this company. During this time I constructed two regional groundwater models for environmental impact assessment purposes in the context of application for approval of proposed expansions of coal-mining activities within the Bowen Basin.

Brisbane, Australia

In my 6 year term with this small but highly respected team of groundwater specialists, I gained valuable experience, skills and knowledge while contributing to the success of a vast range of highly complex and highly technical groundwater projects of which the most note-worthy include:• Brisbane Aquifer Project – development of emergency (drought contingency) town water supply for the city of Brisbane;• Bribie Island Borefield – development of 2 borefields on the island as part of an upgraded of the Bribie Island water supply and to provide additional contingencies for the city of Brisbane;• Revision of the Integrated finite difference water balance model for the Callide Valley aquifer system; this included calibration-constrained monte-carlo simulations to assess parameter uncertainty;• Revision of groundwater model for Lockyer Valley to assess groundwater impacts from the introduction of potable recycled water supply;• Development of a groundwater model for the Right Bank of Burdekin River;• Development of a groundwater model to support the successful application for residential development of a 10,000 ha rural area at Caloundra Downs;• Rochedale groundwater assessment – a comprehensive re-conceptualisation and analysis of the tertiary aquifers in the Rochedale area in Brisbane and included development of a numerical groundwater model to assess management options;• Development of a FEFLOW groundwater model for the “Rural Areas” of the Northern Territory near Darwin;• Development of a regional groundwater model for the Gregory Crinum and Kestrel mines in central Queensland;• A number of hydrogeological investigations to support development of Coal Seam Gas production from the sedimentary basin deposits of the Eromanga, Surat, Gallilee and Cooper sedimentary basins.• Numerous groundwater investigation projects related to Landfill sites, mining operations, town water supplies and more.

Doctor Of Philosophy (Phd), Environmental Model Calibration And Uncertainty Analysis

Activities and Societies: Supervisor - Professor John Doherty (Watermark Numerical Computing) PhD RESEARCH The focus of my PhD research.

Master Of Geographic Information Sciences

Coarse based Masters in GIS that included mapping, spatial analysis and remote sensing techniques

Bachelor Of Applied Science - Physics