Biographical Sketch:

Thank you for visiting my website.  I am currently a Ph.D. candidate in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University.  It is my privilege to be working as a Payload Uplink Lead and Payload Downlink Lead for the Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES) instruments, and Mineralogy/Geochemistry Science Theme Group Lead, on the Mars Exploration Rover Mission at the Mars Space Flight Facility under the direction of my advisor Dr. Philip R. Christensen. My research is funded by a NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program grant through the Goddard Space Flight Center, where my technical advisor is Science and Mission Directorate Deputy Director, Dr. Laurie A. Leshin. I earned my Master of Science degree in geological sciences at Michigan State University under Dr. Michael A. Velbel, where my thesis focused on the weathering of meteorites in the Mars-analog setting of Antarctica.  My Bachelor’s in geology was earned at Grand Valley State University. I have also completed coursework at Western Kentucky University and the University of Montana in Missoula. I am a Certified Professional Geologist through the American Institute of Professional Geologists, and have worked for more than 17 years as a professional consulting hydrogeologist characterizing and remediating impacted soil and groundwater at hundreds of sites across the United States.

As you know, the phenomena of nature transgress the boundaries of scientific discipline. I have therefore always sought an interdisciplinary tailoring to my formal academic and professional training. The primary emphases have included astronomy, meteoritics, cosmochemistry, remote sensing, infrared spectroscopy, high and low-temperature inorganic geochemistry, hydrogeology, and environmental science.

Information on non-professional interests and activities can be found here.