In this latest edition of "People of PRI," we introduce Shah Bilawal Ali, who goes by Ali. Ali is an MS student in the Department of Earth Science & Environmental Change (ESEC) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and a Research Assistant at the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS). Hailing from Pakistan, Ali’s journey into geology began after switching majors from engineering. He’s now working on the Mitchell CarbonSAFE project, developing geologic models that could contribute to energy sustainability. Explore Ali’s story below to learn about his passion for sedimentology, his tools of the trade, and his ambitions for the future.
Q&A with Ali
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your role at PRI?
A: I’m originally from Pakistan and moved to the U.S. for higher education. I began as an engineering student at Augustana College, Illinois, but switched to geology during my sophomore year. Currently, I’m a MS student at the U of I, working under Jim Best at ESEC, and a Research Assistant at the ISGS. My work focuses on the Mitchell CarbonSAFE project, where I’m developing a conceptual geologic model for our primary reservoir by analyzing facies in outcrops, cores, and well logs.
Q: What drew you to your area of work or study?
A: I’ve always loved exploring the outdoors, and geology gives me a unique way to do just that. My goal is to become one of the top sedimentologists/stratigraphers and eventually conduct research in Pakistan.
Q: What tools are indispensable to your work?
A: A rock hammer, hand lens, grain size card, field notebook, writing equipment, Petrel software, and a petrographic microscope are essential for my work.
Q: What questions do you get asked most frequently about your career?
A: The most common questions I get are, “What will you do after you graduate?” and “Do you look at rocks all the time?”
Q: What advice would you give to those just starting out in your field?
A: I would recommend building a strong foundation in geology by taking a variety of courses. Go on as many field trips as possible, look at as many rocks as you can, don’t hesitate to ask questions, and always keep an open mind.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: In my free time, I enjoy running and playing fetch with my dog, Maui. I also love backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, reading (mostly science and geology books), and working out.