Research

I am broadly interested in how magmatic and volcanic processes operate on planetary scales to modify the world around us (for example, by delivering volatiles) and preserve a record of conditions under which they formed at depth and on the surface. I am additionally involved in campaigns aiming to return new samples to Earth.

Extraterrestrial magmatic volatiles

My work recently expanded to investigating endogenous volatiles through mass spectrometry. As a postdoctoral researcher working at NASA Goddard through the CRESST II program (based upon work supported by NASA under award number 80GSFC21M0002) I am working with:

PITMS (launch on left) science team and using data collected in cis-lunar space to evaluate spacecraft outgassing,
MSolo mission team to specifically investigate the presence of magmatic, endogenous volatiles at the lunar south pole.

Extraterrestrial magmatic system architectures

I focus my research on planetary magmatic evolution by assessing the generation, evolution, and emplacement of extraterrestrial lavas. Specifically I focus on:

lunar lava emplacement mechanisms using X-ray computed tomography analysis of Apollo samples,
magmatic system architectures using petrographic and geochemical attributes of distinct populations in lunar basalts (like high Ti sample 70017 on right)

Lunar exploration science

With colleagues across the globe (on left), wy work aims to assess geologic context, trafficability, and features of sampling interest near future lunar landing sites. This work includes investigation of:

lunar south polar region around Shackleton crater via assessment of the distribution of craters, boulders, and rock exposures to support future Artemis program activities, and
assessment of basaltic lava flow characteristics near the lunar silicic Gruithuisen domes in support of several future Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions to the region.

Research

Extraterrestrial magmatic volatiles

My work recently expanded to investigating endogenous volatiles through mass spectrometry. As a postdoctoral researcher working at NASA Goddard through the CRESST II program (based upon work supported by NASA under award number 80GSFC21M0002) I am working with:

PITMS (launch on left) science team and using data collected in cis-lunar space to evaluate spacecraft outgassing,

MSolo mission team to specifically investigate the presence of magmatic, endogenous volatiles at the lunar south pole.​

Extraterrestrial magmatic system architectures

I focus my research on planetary magmatic evolution by assessing the generation, evolution, and emplacement of extraterrestrial lavas. Specifically I focus on:

lunar lava emplacement mechanisms using X-ray computed tomography analysis of Apollo samples,

​magmatic system architectures using petrographic and geochemical attributes of distinct populations in lunar basalts (like high Ti sample 70017 on right)

Lunar exploration science

With colleagues across the globe (on left), wy work aims to assess geologic context, trafficability, and features of sampling interest near future lunar landing sites. This work includes investigation of:

lunar south polar region around Shackleton crater via assessment of the distribution of craters, boulders, and rock exposures to support future Artemis program activities, and

assessment of basaltic lava flow characteristics near the lunar silicic Gruithuisen domes in support of several future Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) missions to the region.

MSolo mission team to specifically investigate the presence of magmatic, endogenous volatiles at the lunar south pole.

magmatic system architectures using petrographic and geochemical attributes of distinct populations in lunar basalts (like high Ti sample 70017 on right)