Faculty

Research Overview

My research is mainly laboratory-based and seeks to understand: (i) the evolution of planetary magmas through time;(ii) the conditions of early Earth and implications for the inception of the biosphere;(iii) secular changes in the oxidation state of magmas and fluids, and the connection between the chemical state of the crust and mantle; and (iv)non-traditional mechanisms of isotope fractionation.

Most of my research time is spent designing and executing high pressure/temperature laboratory experiments in which I synthesize rocks and minerals under conditions appropriate to our planet, the Moon, and other"rocky" planets in our solar system. While I do spend some time in the field, I typically classify myself as a high-temperature experimental geochemist.

My laboratory contains high pressure/temperature experimental equipment and a LA-ICP-MS (Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometer).

Research Interests

• Experimental geochemistry
• early Earth - including understanding the origin(s) of the oldest terrestrial rocks and minerals
• planetary geology
• astrobiology
• lunar geochemistry
• "water" in nominally anhydrous minerals
• isotope geochemistry and geochronology of accessory minerals
• redox chemistry of magmas, fluids, and minerals - including the application of synchrotron-based techniques