Dr Nigel Cassidy

Title: Reader in Applied Geophysics
Phone: (+44) 01782 7 33180
Email:
Location: William Smith Building : WS 1.11
Role: EPSAM Director of Postgraduate Research,
EPSAM Postgraduate Research Training Programme Leader
Module leader : Engineering geology & hydrology
Contacting me:
Cassidy_Nigel

Originally an Industrial Electrical Engineer, I joined Keele in 1997 to study for a PhD in the numerical modelling of Ground-Penetrating Radar after completing a BSc (Hons) Geophysics degree at the University of Liverpool. I’m currently Reader in Applied Geophysics and was recently a Royal Society Industrial Fellow.

I am part of the Applied & Environmental Geophysics Group and a member of the Research Institute for the Environment, Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics (EPSAM).

Nigel Cassidy on location My research involves the application of engineering and geophysical methods for the characterisation, investigation and remediation of environmental, geological, hydrological, archaeological, forensic and geotechnical problems and spend most of my research time on the development of practical, non-invasive site investigation and numerical modelling tools for industry and academia.

  • The application of mathematical modelling in the interpretation of near-surface ground penetrating radar.
  • KAGe Supercomputer
  • Merapi NERC Project
  • The application of mathematical/numerical modelling and inversion in the interpretation of near-surface ground penetrating radar (RS, NERC & EPSRC funded).
  • High resolution ultrasonics for NDT & Geo-environmental testing applications.
  • Thermal and electrical monitoring of environmental/engineering structures.

I am a member of the Applied and Environmental Geophysics Research Group and Research Institute for the Environment, Physical Sciences and Applied Mathematics (EPSAM)

Selected Publications

  • Balint R, Cassidy NJ, Hidalgo-Bastida LA, Cartmell S. 2013. Electrical Stimulation Enhanced Mesenchymal Stem Cell Gene Expression for Orthopaedic Tissue Repair. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS AND TISSUE ENGINEERING, vol. 3(2), 212-221. link> doi>
  • Millington TM, Cassidy NJ, Crocco L, Soldovieri F. 2013. Tomographic GPR imaging using a linear inversion algorithm informed by FDTD modelling: a numerical case study of buried utility pipes monitoring. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 11(2), 221-230. link> doi>
  • Rose L, Krause S, Cassidy NJ. 2013. Capabilities and limitations of tracing spatial temperature patterns by fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH, vol. 49(3), 1741-1745. link> doi>
  • Balint R, Cassidy NJ, Cartmell SH. 2013. Electrical Stimulation: A Novel Tool for Tissue Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS, vol. 19(1), 48-57. link> doi>
  • Kettridge N, Binley A, Comas X, Cassidy NJ, Baird AJ, Harris A, van der Kruk J, Strack M, Milner AM, Waddington JM. 2012. Do peatland microforms move through time? Examining the developmental history of a patterned peatland using ground-penetrating radar. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES, vol. 117, Article ARTN G03030. link> doi>

Full Publications List show

Journal Articles

  • Balint R, Cassidy NJ, Hidalgo-Bastida LA, Cartmell S. 2013. Electrical Stimulation Enhanced Mesenchymal Stem Cell Gene Expression for Orthopaedic Tissue Repair. JOURNAL OF BIOMATERIALS AND TISSUE ENGINEERING, vol. 3(2), 212-221. link> doi>
  • Millington TM, Cassidy NJ, Crocco L, Soldovieri F. 2013. Tomographic GPR imaging using a linear inversion algorithm informed by FDTD modelling: a numerical case study of buried utility pipes monitoring. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 11(2), 221-230. link> doi>
  • Rose L, Krause S, Cassidy NJ. 2013. Capabilities and limitations of tracing spatial temperature patterns by fiber-optic distributed temperature sensing. WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH, vol. 49(3), 1741-1745. link> doi>
  • Balint R, Cassidy NJ, Cartmell SH. 2013. Electrical Stimulation: A Novel Tool for Tissue Engineering. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART B-REVIEWS, vol. 19(1), 48-57. link> doi>
  • Kettridge N, Binley A, Comas X, Cassidy NJ, Baird AJ, Harris A, van der Kruk J, Strack M, Milner AM, Waddington JM. 2012. Do peatland microforms move through time? Examining the developmental history of a patterned peatland using ground-penetrating radar. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES, vol. 117, Article ARTN G03030. link> doi>
  • Balint R, Cassidy NJ, Cartmell SH. 2012. Capacitive stimulation enhanced osteogenic differentiation of primary human mesenchymal stem cells. JOURNAL OF TISSUE ENGINEERING AND REGENERATIVE MEDICINE, vol. 6, 332. link>
  • Krause, S, Taylor SL, Weatherill, J, Haffenden, A, Cassidy, NJ, Thomas, PA. 2012. Fibre-optic distributed temperature sensing for characterizing the impacts of vegetation coverage on thermal patterns in woodlands. Echoydrology. doi>
  • Pringle JK, Jervis JR, Hansen JD, Jones GM, Cassidy NJ, Cassella JP. 2012. Geophysical Monitoring of Simulated Clandestine Graves Using Electrical and Ground-Penetrating Radar Methods: 0–3 Years After Burial. Journal of Forensic Sciences. doi> full text>
  • Whelley PL, Jay J, Calder ES, Pritchard ME, Cassidy NJ, Alcaraz S, Pavez A. 2012. Post-depositional fracturing and subsidence of pumice flow deposits: Lascar Volcano, Chile. BULLETIN OF VOLCANOLOGY, vol. 74(2), 511-531. link> doi>
  • Krause S, Blume T, Cassidy NJ. 2012. Investigating patterns and controls of groundwater up-welling in a lowland river by combining Fibre-optic Distributed Temperature Sensing with observations of vertical hydraulic gradients. HYDROLOGY AND EARTH SYSTEM SCIENCES, vol. 16(6), 1775-1792. link> doi>
  • Gertisser R, Cassidy NJ, Charbonnier SJ, Nuzzo L, Preece K. 2012. Overbank block-and-ash flow deposits and the impact of valley-derived, unconfined flows on populated areas at Merapi volcano, Java, Indonesia. NATURAL HAZARDS, vol. 60(2), 623-648. link> doi>
  • Millington TM and Cassidy NJ. 2011. Improving the Accuracy of FDTD Approximations to Tangential Components of the Coupled Electric and Magnetic Fields at a Material Interface. IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ANTENNAS AND PROPAGATION, vol. 59(8), 2924-2932. link> doi>
  • Cassidy NJ, Eddies R, Dods S. 2011. Void detection beneath reinforced concrete sections: The practical application of ground-penetrating radar and ultrasonic techniques. JOURNAL OF APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, vol. 74(4), 263-276. link> doi>
  • Pringle JK, Millington TM, Cassidy NJ, Crocco L, Soldovieri F. 2011. Interpreting complex, three-dimensional, near-surface GPR surveys: an integrated modelling and inversion approach. Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 9(4), 297-304. doi> link> full text>
  • Pringle JK, Cassidy NJ, Styles P, Stimpson IG, Toon SM. 2011. Training the next generation of near-surface geophysicists: team-based, student-led, problem-solving field exercises, Cumbria, UK. Near Surface Geophysics, vol. 9(4), 397. doi> link>
  • Cassidy NJ and Pringle JK. 2010. Special Issue on Student-based Research Foreword. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 8(6), 443-444. link> doi> full text>
  • Pringle JK, Cassidy NJ, Styles P, Stimpson IG, Toon SM. 2010. Training the next generation of near-surface geophysicists: team-based, student-led, problem-solving field exercises, Cumbria, UK. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 8(6), 503-517. link> doi> full text>
  • Cassidy NJ and Pringle JK. 2010. What do students do? Training, research and learning: developing skills for the next generation of near-surface geophysicists. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 8(6), 445-450. link> doi> full text>
  • Millington TM and Cassidy NJ. 2010. Optimising GPR modelling: A practical, multi-threaded approach to 3D FDTD numerical modelling. COMPUTERS & GEOSCIENCES, vol. 36(9), 1135-1144. link> doi>
  • Crocco L, Soldovieri F, Millington T, Cassidy NJ. 2010. BISTATIC TOMOGRAPHIC GPR IMAGING FOR INCIPIENT PIPELINE LEAKAGE EVALUATION. PROGRESS IN ELECTROMAGNETICS RESEARCH-PIER, vol. 101, 307-321. link> doi>
  • Husband CR, Cassidy NJ, Stimpson IG. 2009. The geophysical investigation of lake water seepage in the regulated environment of the Bosherston Lily Ponds, South Wales, UK. Part 1: natural, fracture-related pathways. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 7(5-6), 499-515. link>
  • Jones GM, Cassidy NJ, Thomas PA, Plante S, Pringle JK. 2009. Imaging and monitoring tree-induced subsidence using electrical resistivity imaging. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 7(3), 191-206. link> full text>
  • Crocco L, Prisco G, Soldovieri F, Cassidy NJ. 2009. Early-stage leaking pipes GPR monitoring via microwave tomographic inversion. JOURNAL OF APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, vol. 67(4), 270-277. link> doi>
  • Cassidy NJ, Slob E, Soldovieri F. 2009. Introduction to the special issue on advanced applications, systems and modelling for GPR. JOURNAL OF APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, vol. 67(4), 269. link> doi>
  • Cassidy NJ and Millington TM. 2009. The application of finite-difference time-domain modelling for the assessment of GPR in magnetically lossy materials. JOURNAL OF APPLIED GEOPHYSICS, vol. 67(4), 296-308. link> doi>
  • Bennett MR, Cassidy NJ, Pile J. 2009. Internal structure of a barrier beach as revealed by ground penetrating radar (GPR): Chesil beach, UK. GEOMORPHOLOGY, vol. 104(3-4), 218-229. link> doi>
  • Husband CR, Cassidy NJ, Stimpson IG. 2009. The geophysical investigation of lake water seepage in the regulated environment of the Bosherston Lily Ponds, South Wales, UK. Part 2: historical, dam-related pathways. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 7(5-6), 517-528. link> doi>
  • Cassidy NJ. 2008. Frequency-dependent attenuation and velocity characteristics of nano-to-micro scale, lossy, magnetite-rich materials. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 6(6), 341-355. link>
  • Pringle JK, Jervis J, Cassella JP, Cassidy NJ. 2008. Time-lapse geophysical investigations over a simulated urban clandestine grave. J Forensic Sci, vol. 53(6), 1405-1416. link> doi> full text>
  • Duller RA, Mountney NP, Russell AJ, Cassidy NC. 2008. Architectural analysis of a volcaniclastic jokulhlaup deposit, southern Iceland: sedimentary evidence for supercritical flow. SEDIMENTOLOGY, vol. 55(4), 939-964. link> doi>
  • Pringle JK, Stimpson IG, Toon SM, Caunt S, Lane VS, Husband CR, Jones GM, Cassidy NJ, Styles P. 2008. Geophysical characterization of derelict coalmine workings and mineshaft detection: a case study from Shrewsbury, United Kingdom. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 6(3), 185-194. link> full text>
  • Cassidy NJ. 2008. GPR attenuation and scattering in a mature hydrocarbon spill: A Modeling study. VADOSE ZONE JOURNAL, vol. 7(1), 140-159. link> doi>
  • CASSIDY NJ. 2007. Evaluating LNAPL contamination using GPR signal attenuation analysis and dielectric property measurements: Practical implications for hydrological studies. Journal of Contaminant Hydrology, vol. 94(1-2), 49-75. doi>
  • PRINGLE JK, Carrivik JL, Cassidy NJ, Russell AJ. 2007. GPR-derived Sedimentary Architecture and Stratigraphy of Outburst Flood Sedimentation Within a Bedrock Valley System, Hraundalur, Iceland. Journal of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics, vol. 12(1), 127-143. doi> full text>
  • Cassidy NJ. 2007. A review of practical numerical modelling methods for the advanced interpretation of ground-penetrating radar in near-surface environments. NEAR SURFACE GEOPHYSICS, vol. 5(1), 5-21. link>
  • Russell AJ, Roberts MJ, Fay H, Marren PM, Cassidy NJ, Tweed FS, Harris T. 2006. Icelandic jokulhlaup impacts: Implications for ice-sheet hydrology, sediment transfer and geomorphology. GEOMORPHOLOGY, vol. 75(1-2), 33-64. link> doi>
  • Styles R, McGrath R, Thomas E, Cassidy NJ. 2005. The use of microgravity for cavity characterization in karstic terrains. QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY, vol. 38, 155-169. link>
  • Cassidy N. 2005. Introduction to the application of geophysics in shallow sedimentary environments papers. QUARTERLY JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY, vol. 38, 5-6. link> doi>
  • CASSIDY NJ, Bennett MR, Huddart D, Waller R. 2004. Sedimentary and tectonic architecture of a large push moraine: a case study from Hagafellsjökull-Eystri, Iceland. Sedimentary Geology, vol. 172(3-4), 269-292. doi>
  • Murdie R, Goulty N, White R, Barret G, Cassidy NJ & Gaffney V. 2003. Comparison of geophysical techniques for investigating an infilled ditch at Bury Walls hill fort Shropshire. Archaeological Prospection..
  • Huang YM, Fairchild IJ, Borsato A, Frisia A, Cassidy NJ, McDermott F & Hawkesworth CJ. 2001. Seasonal variations in Sr, Mg and P in modern speleothems (Grotta di Eruesto, Italy). Chemical Geology.

Chapters

  • Cassidy NJ. 2009. Electrical and Magnetic Properties of Rocks, Soils and Fluids. In Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and Applications. Jol HM (Ed.). Elsevier.
  • Cassidy NJ. 2009. Ground Penetrating Radar Data Processing, Modelling and Analysis. In Ground Penetrating Radar: Theory and Applications. Jol HM (Ed.). Elsevier.
  • Cassidy NJ. 2009. Ground-Penetrating Radar in Ground Water Studies. In Groundwater: Modelling, Management and Contamination. Konig LK and Weiss JL (Eds.). USA: Nova Publishers.
  • Cassidy NJ. 2004. Application of numerical modelling for the interpretation of near-surface ground radar. In Ground Penetrating Radar (2nd Edition). Daniels DJ (Ed.). Institute of Electrical Engineers, London.
  • CASSIDY NJ, Fay H, Marren PM, Russell AJ. 2003. GPR-Derived Architecture of November 1996 jökulhlaup deposits, Skeidarársandur, Iceland. In Ground Penetrating Radar in Sediments: Special Publication: No. 211. Bristow C and Jol HM (Eds.). Geological Society Publishing House.
  • Cassidy NJ, Russell AJ, Marren PM, Fay H, Rushmer L, Van Dijk TAGP, Knudsen O. 2003. Ground Penetrating Radar in Sediments. In (Ed C.S. Bristow & W. M. Jol). Bristow CS and Jol WM (Eds.). Geological Society, London.

Other

  • Cassidy NJ. 2007. Frequency-dependent attenuation and velocity characteristics of magnetically lossy materials. 2007 4th International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (pp. 128-132). link>
  • Cassidy NJ. 2005. The practical application of numerical modelling for the advanced interpretation of ground-penetrating radar. Proceedings of the 3rd International Workshop on Advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (pp. 105-112). link> doi>
  • Cassidy NJ. 2004. Dielectric and GPR behaviour of free-plane NAPL mixtures: implications for the practical assessment of hydrocarbon contamination. Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar..
  • Cassidy NJ. 2004. Dielectric properties of free-phase hydrocarbon contamination: implications for GPR investigation. Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Ground-Penetrating Radar..
  • Cassidy NJ, Russell AJ, Pringle JK & Carrivick JL. 2004. GPR-derived architecture of large-scale Icelandic jokulhlaup deposits, North-East Iceland. Proceedings of the Tenth International Conference on Ground Penetrating Radar..
  • Tuckwell GW & Cassidy NJ. 2004. High Resolution GPR and seismic investigations-interpretation through modelling. Near Surface 2004, 10th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineer Geophysics..
  • Cassidy NJ & Tuckwell GW. 2004. Numerical modelling of electro-seismic signals in fractured, contaminated aquifers. Near Surface 2004, 10th European Meeting of Environmental and Engineering Geophysics..
  • Cassidy NJ and Tuckwell GW. 2002. Mathematical modelling of ground penetrating radar: Parallel computing applications. GPR 2002: NINTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GROUND PENETRATING RADAR (vol. 4758, pp. 514-519). link> doi>
  • Russell AJ, Knudsen O, Fay H, Marren PM, Carrivick JL, Tweed FS, Cassidy NJ, Rushmer L, Roberts MJ & Harris TD. 2002. Modern Icelandic jokulhlaups: implications for jokulhlaup palaeohydrology. Palaeofloods, Historical Data & Climatic Variability: Applications in Flood Risk Assessment. European Commission DG RTD..
  • Russell AJ, Cassidy NJ, Marren PM, Knudsen O, Van Dijk TAGP, Fay H & Rushmer EL. 2001. Architecture of jokulhlaup and non-jokulhlaup proglacial outburst fans, Skeidararsandur, Iceland, using ground penetrating radar. Fluvial Sedimentology 2001, Program and Abstracts..
  • Cassidy NJ, Russell AJ, Marren PM, Fay H, Knudsen O, Rushmer EL, Van Dijk TAGP, Roberts MJ & Robinson ZP. 2001. GPR-derived architecture of November 1996,jokulhlaup deposits, Skeidararsandur, Iceland. Eos Trans AGU 82(47)..
  • Rushmer EL, Russell AJ, Tweed FS, Knudsen O & Cassidy NJ. 2001. Hydrograph shape as a control on the sedimentary and geomorphological impact of two recent Icelandic glacier outburst floods (jokulhlaups). Fluvial Sedimentology 2001, Program and Abstracts..
  • Cassidy NJ and Murdie RE. 2000. The application of mathematical modelling in the interpretation of near-surface ground penetrating radar sections. GPR 2000: PROCEEDINGS OF THE EIGHTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GROUND PENETRATING RADAR (vol. 4084, pp. 842-847). link> doi>

Year 1

  • ESC-10028 : Environmental Science Skills

Year 2

  • ESC-20031 : Advanced Structural Geology & Solid Earth Geophysics
  • ESC-20017 : Human Impact on the Environment: Scientific Perspectives

Year 3

  • ESC-30022 : Engineering and Hydrological Geology (module leader)
  • ESC-30026 : Geoscience Research Project
  • Year 4
  • ESC-40004/5/6 : M.Geoscience Research Project
  • ESC-40007 : Geoscientific Spatial Data Analysis