His academic interests center around the physics of heat and fluid transport in porous media as well as the efficient use of energy. Kovscek and his research group examine the physics of transport in porous media at length scales that vary from the pore-scale, core-scale and up to the reservoir scale. They use flow imaging and image analysis to delineate the mechanisms of multiphase flow (oil, water, and gas) in porous media and the synthesis of models from experimental, theoretical, and field data. In all work, physical observations, obtained mainly from laboratory and field measurements, are interwoven with theory. Kovscek holds BS and PhD degrees from the University of Washington and the University of California at Berkeley, respectively. In 2006, he was awarded the Distinguished Achievement Award for Faculty from the Society of Petroleum Engineers.