CPG

Location: Bldg. 78, Rm. 2030

Dr. Denis Anikiev

Research Scientist III, CIPR

Dr. Denis Anikiev is a Research Scientist at the Center for Integrative Petroleum Research, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals. He holds a Ph.D. in Geophysics from St. Petersburg State University, Russia, specializing in microseismic imaging and seismic inversion. Dr. Anikiev has broad expertise in computational geophysics, machine learning, data analytics, and software development, with over 20 years of programming and modeling experience.

Before joining KFUPM, he served as a Senior Scientist at GFZ Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences in Germany, leading projects in large-scale geological modeling and software development. He also has industry experience in real-time seismic data processing and has worked as an independent consultant in geoscience software solutions.
At KFUPM, Dr. Anikiev is pioneering the Data Analytics Program, applying AI and machine learning to geoscientific challenges, including Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) data. He is proficient in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, TensorFlow, and Keras, and actively contributes to open-source scientific software. His work has earned international recognition, including prestigious grants and a patented seismic modeling technology.

Educational Qualification

  • Ph.D., in Geophysics, Department of Earth Physics, St. Petersburg State University, Russia, 2015
  • M.S., in Geophysics, Department of Earth Physics, St. Petersburg State University, Russia, 2011
  • B.S., in Physics, Faculty of Physics, St. Petersburg State University, Russia, 2008

Research Interests

  • Integration of AI and ML in geoscience
  • DAS processing
  • Microseismic imaging
  • Induced seismicity
  • Seismic inversion
  • Geothermal exploration
  • Subsurface coupled process modeling
  • Potential field modeling
  • Computational geophysics

Selected Publications

  • Jechumtálová, Z., Anikiev, D. & Eisner, L. (2025). Sensitivity for monitoring array of Distributed Acoustic Sensors (DAS) in a vertical borehole. First Break, 43(4), 35–37. https://doi.org/10.3997/1365-2397.fb2025026
  • Götze, H.-J., Strehlau, R., Dannowski, A., Anikiev, D., Kumar, A. & Scheck-Wenderoth, M. (2024). Do gravity data justify a rifted “Liguro-Provençal Basin”? Frontiers in Earth Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2024.1475025
  • Alvers, M. R., Götze, H.-J., Anikiev, D. & Plonka, C. (2023). Inversion of potential fields by interactive optimization of 3D subsurface models using a spring-based space warping and evolution strategy. GEOPHYSICS, 88(3), G79–G93. https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2022-0222.1
  • Anikiev, D., Birnie, C., Waheed, U. b., Alkhalifah, T., Gu, C., Verschuur, D. J. & Eisner, L. (2023). Machine learning in microseismic monitoring. Earth-Science Reviews, 239, 104371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2023.104371
  • Gómez Dacal, M. L., Scheck-Wenderoth, M., Faleide, J. I., Abdelmalak, M. M., Bott, J. & Anikiev, D. (2023). Tracing the Iceland plume and North East Atlantic breakup in the lithosphere. Nature Communications in Earth & Environment, 4(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43247-023-01120-w
  • Ahlers, S., Röckel, L., Hergert, T., Reiter, K., Heidbach, O., Henk, A., Müller, B., Morawietz, S., Scheck-Wenderoth, M. & Anikiev, D. (2022). The crustal stress field of Germany: A refined prediction. Geothermal Energy, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40517-022-00222-6
  • Anikiev, D., Waheed, U. b., Staněk, F., Alexandrov, D., Hao, Q., Iqbal, N. & Eisner, L. (2022). Traveltime-based microseismic event location using artificial neural network. Frontiers in Earth Science, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2022.1046258
  • Anikiev, D., Cacace, M., Bott, J., Dacal, M. L. G. & Scheck-Wenderoth, M. (2020). Influence of lithosphere rheology on seismicity in an intracontinental rift: The case of the Rhine Graben. Frontiers in Earth Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.592561
  • Anikiev, D., Lechel, A., Gomez Dacal, M. L., Bott, J., Cacace, M. & Scheck-Wenderoth, M. (2019). A three-dimensional lithospheric-scale thermal model of Germany. Advances in Geosciences, 49, 225–234. https://doi.org/10.5194/adgeo-49-225-2019

Awards & Honors

  • 2024: Member of the organizing committee of the international workshop “Exploring the potential for interdisciplinary 3D interpretation of potential fields by IGMAS+” in Cairo, Egypt
  • 2021: Invited speaker for the Heiland Lecture Series
  • 2014: Research Grant of St. Petersburg Government
  • 2012-2015: SEG Scholarship for doctorate students
  • 2012-2014: Research Grants of the DAAD
  • 2011: MSc diploma with distinction
  • 2008: BSc diploma with distinction
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