Kim Cone (she/her)
Position/What you do at U of R?
Postdoctoral Associate and lunar scientist. I’m working on two related projects right now. One involves investigating how the Moon differentiated from its early molten state about 4.5 billion years ago, why it appears the way it does now, and how it may have changed over time. The second one focuses on rocks from the NASA Apollo missions. Because the Moon’s surface was pulverized by many large impactors that sent rocks flying to different parts of the lunar surface, I try to figure out where the samples originally came from and how old they are by using radiometric age dating. This help us figure out the impact history of the early solar system and gives us an idea of what other planets in the area may have experienced, including Earth.
Where are you from?
Most recently I’m from Morrison, CO but was born in Busan, South Korea and came to the US when I was about 2 months old.
What got you interested in Earth and Environmental Sciences?
I’ve always been interested in planetary science, but really, I’ve been involved in so many different types of Earth Science throughout college, it’s just a really cool, broad field of study. I started as a math major, took an amazing intro to geology course, then changed majors. Focused on sedimentary/stratigraphy in undergrad, started an MS in Hydrology where I focused on carbonate systems, and eventually ended up in a Geology MS working on igneous petrology and volcanism. Then came the planetary science work for a PhD.
What do you enjoy most about U of R?
I love being at a four-year liberal arts school with strong music and arts programs (I came from an engineering school). Life can’t all be about hard science all the time, ya know?
Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies?
During my PhD time, I memorized pi to 100 decimal places, just because. I read non-fiction (outside my discipline) for fun and occasionally find time for intermediate guitar playing (I got my first electric guitar at 16 and taught myself how to play). I’m an independent film buff as well.
What is your idea of a perfect day?
Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson but Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neal Hurston is a close second.