About Danny Hilman Natawidjaja

Prof. Danny Hilman Natawidjaja, M. Sc, Ph. D.

Professor of Geology (Active faults, paleoseismology, seismic hazards, and geo-archaeology)

Danny Hilman Natawidjaja, a Distinguished Research Professor in Geology at Indonesia's National Research & Innovation Agency (BRIN) and a member of the esteemed Indonesian Academy of Sciences (AIPI), boasts a rich academic background with degrees from Institut Teknologi Bandung (B.Sc), the University of Auckland M.Sc), and Ph.D from California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Recognized for his exceptional contributions to science and his dedication to disseminating knowledge, Danny has garnered numerous awards, including the prestigious Sarwono Prawirohardjo Award in 2005, the Indonesian Association of Geologists - IAGI Award in 2015, and The Ahmad Bakrie Award for Science in 2016.

For decades, Danny's primary research focus has been on earthquake geology, seismic hazard assessment, and natural disaster mitigation. Since the early 1990s, he has been a leading figure in active fault and neotectonics studies in Indonesia, spearheading initiatives such as the Sumatran GPS Array (SUGAR) in 2002, aimed at understanding crustal movements in Sumatra. Collaborating with institutions like Caltech and the Earth Observatory of Singapore (EOS), NTU, he has significantly advanced seismic understanding both nationally and internationally. Danny has also played pivotal roles in shaping national policies on hazard mitigation, chairing committees responsible for formulating guidelines and participating in various national programs. Internationally, he represents Indonesia in the International Platform for Reducing Earthquake Disaster (IPRED).

Moreover, over the past decade, Danny has been a trailblazer in the field of geo-archaeology in Indonesia. Leveraging diverse geological and geophysical methodologies, he has explored numerous ancient human-made structures across the country. Notably, he served as vice-chairman of the Gunung Padang research committee, making significant contributions to the investigation of this archaeological site, recognized by both the Ministry of Education and Cultures and the West Java governor. His pioneering work in geo-archaeology adds another dimension to his multifaceted contributions to science and knowledge dissemination.