Matt Mendoza is a CIRES postdoctoral researcher and geophysicist studying earthquakes and their hazards. He investigates earthquakes from two angles—at tectonic plate boundaries, for example, in the Cascadia Subduction Zone, and where humans “induce” or trigger seismicity, for example, at geothermal facilities. To do his work, he uses distributed fiber optic sensing, a new technique that allows spatially continuous measurements of ground motion over large distances. Mendoza’s passion is doing work that has a direct and positive impact on society and supporting and nurturing the next generation of scientists, including a 2022 RESESS student, Halina Dingo. When he is not not in the office, you might find him practicing his espresso drink making skills. “Perhaps the hobby is better suited for a chemist, but one day I’ll get it down!” he said.