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Planetary Process Simulation

I'm interested in understanding the geology of planetary materials, i.e., meteorites, asteroids, planetesimals, and planets. These materials provide us with a record of planet-forming processes in a wide range of geochemical environments. I use a variety of petrologic and geochemical methods of analysis to investigate meteorites and learn about both nebular and geologic processes relevant to asteroid/planet formation. 

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To support my investigations into planetary differentiation and core formation, I use experimental and analytical techniques to simulate how variable concentrations of oxygen and sulfur affected the evolutionary pathways of planetary bodies.

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I'm currently assembling laboratory facilities at the University of Arizona, and I expect these to be fully functional by Spring 2025. These facilities will include all the necessary equipment for conducting petrologic and geochemical experiments in evacuated glass tubes. Through collaboration with the Mallik Petrology Group, we will be able to cover pressure and temperature ranges from KPa to GPa and up to ~1,500 °C.

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Nonlinear Optical Mineralogy

My colleagues in the Ultrafast Fiber Lasers and Nonlinear Optics Group at the University of Arizona have developed a unique type of multiphoton microscope that is capable of novel 3D imaging techniques with geologic materials. We are exploring these capabilities with applications to microstructures and fluorescent characteristics of meteorites and astromaterials returned via spacecraft. We are currently the only group publishing work in this area, which has the potential to revolutionize the optical analysis of rocks and minerals from Earth and space.

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For more information, check out my CV (last updated August 2024).

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