Physical Scientist
U.S. Geological Survey
Denver , CO, United States
I have a background in igneous petrology with a Master’s degree (2009) from the University of Iowa where I studied causes of chemical and isotopic variations within a small volume, monogenetic basalt flow (the Ice Springs flow) in central Utah. After my thesis I worked as a laboratory manager at the University of Iowa in a Clean Lab for Sr, Nd, Hf, Pb, Ra, Th and U separation for isotopic analysis and ran an ICP-MS and laser ablation instrumentation. In 2011 I moved to Australia to work at the CODES Laboratories at the University of Tasmania. There, I managed an LA-ICP-MS lab, oversaw a method development program, and produced many reports on U-Pb geochronology on a wide range of minerals and ore deposit types. I started a part-time PhD in 2015 on LA-ICP-MS method development while working full time, with a completion in 2021. The two directions of my PhD research were to better understand the ionizing plasma in ICP-MS instrumentation when coupled with laser ablation, and to improve zircon and apatite U-Pb geochronological analyses by LA-ICP-MS. I In 2019, I joined the ARES group at the Johnson Space Center where I developed methods for trace element and isotopic analysis of astromaterials and their terrestrial analogs. I started at the USGS in January of 2021, wherein I have managed laboratories and collaborated with multiple groups in the USGS, by providing cutting edge methods for mineral chemistry and geochronology for advancing research in ore deposit research. After starting at the USGS I took over managing the reference material preparation laboratory and have since produced several reference glasses for the G-probe proficiency testing program (International Association of GeoAnalysts) and currently work on developing new mineral a glass reference materials for in-situ analysis.
Disclosure information not submitted.
Tuesday, July 29, 2025
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM MT