Uddalak completed his doctoral research at the Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Howrah, India, where he honed his expertise in analogue modelling techniques. Through these methods, he investigated critical geological processes, including failure characteristics and dike emplacement mechanisms within Earth's crust. His research was grounded in both laboratory models and field studies, particularly within the Singhbhum Shear Zone (SSZ) and the Chotonagpur Granite Gneiss Complex (CGGC). His findings on fault surface roughness have opened new perspectives on the mechanisms of earthquake nucleation, offering a fresh lens through which to view seismic activity. Additionally, his work on dike emplacement proposes new mechanisms for the intrusion of magma into complex, rheologically diverse host rocks.
Building on this foundation, Uddalak now embarks on a new chapter with Njord, where he will apply his advanced laboratory modelling techniques further to explore magma emplacement within the Earth's crust. His current research, part of the "Beyond Elasticity" project, seeks to bridge a critical knowledge gap surrounding magma intrusion mechanisms. Specifically, he will examine how magma interacts with visco-elastic and visco-elastoplastic country rocks during injection, seeking to uncover the underlying processes that govern these complex geological phenomena. His work promises to push the boundaries of our understanding of magma propagation dynamics and volcanic processes, with implications for volcano-tectonics.