Lake Aloha. Desolation Wilderness, CA
Past Research
Detrital Zircon Geochronology of Northwest Argentina (Summer 2017)
I conducted four weeks of field work in the Sierra de Maz Range of Northwest Argentina. The overall project goal was to unravel the complex geologic history of the region utilizing techniques such as thermochronology, geochronology, and thermobarometry.
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My portion of the project involved a detrital zircon provenance study where I collected samples, extracted zircon grains, and conducted U/Pb geochronology via LA-ICP-MS to get an idea of where sediment was derived from.
Phosphorus Chemistry of Lake Tahoe Waters (Summer 2017)
As a chemist intern for the UC Davis Lake Tahoe Environmental Research Center, I investigated the differences in total phosphorus and dissolved phosphorus levels at various Lake Tahoe water depths, and how these concentrations changed over time using a spectrophotometer. This information was coupled with biological research of how phosphorus levels affect algal blooms and lake clarity.
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For more information on the UC Davis Lake Tahoe Environmental Research Center, click
Stable Isotopes of Foraminifera and Diatoms (Summer 2016-Summer 2017)
I worked in the UC Davis Stable Isotope Laboratory where I identified and collected species of foraminifera and diatoms from ocean sediment. In addition, I prepared these specimens for oxygen and carbon isotope analyses via stable isotope ratio mass spectrometry (SIRMS). This information was used in various paleoclimate studies.
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For more information on the Stable Isotope Lab at UC Davis, click
Mars Rover Curiosity Image Analysis (2016)
Aided in searching through Mars Rover Curiosity images for signs of calcite veins. Organized this information in spreadsheets by sol (Mars day).
Low lying clouds protruded by Sierra de Umango, Argentina (left). Large garnet crystal that has been severely altered, Sierra de Maz, Argentina (right).
Spectrophotometer at the UC Davis Lake Tahoe Environmental Research Center
Foraminifera crushed and loaded into sliver capsules before isotope analyses.
Generic picture of the Mars Rover Curiosity since unfortunately, I do not have a photo for myself. Taken from https://phys.org/news/2018-10-mars-oxygen-life.html
Current Research
Clay Mineralogist Research Assistant (Fall 2018-Present)
At the University of Wyoming, I have been investigating the clay mineralogy of shales. My duties of this position include the extraction, mounting and analysis of clays. I have been analyzing clay mineralogy via x-ray diffraction of both air dried and ethylene glycolated samples. In the future, I will research how these clays interact with various compositions of water and how these interactions change the physical and chemical properties of the clay.
For more information about the capabilities of Dr. John Kaszuba's lab and what our research group does, click
Image of the x-ray diffractometer used in my clay analyses.