Our group conducts petrologic and geochemical studies of element distribution in rocks and minerals as recorders of igneous processes and petrogenetic history, with particular emphasis on lunar samples, martian materials, and terrestrial analogs. We use mineral chemistry and trace-element geochemistry to explore petrogenesis, including volcanic and impact processes on terrestrial planets and their evolution through time. Additionally, our group is involved in remote sensing and automated in-situ determination of surface mineralogy of the Moon, Mars, and other bodies.
Members of our group are actively involved in planetary exploration missions, including: (1) the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera, where we investigate the surface of the Moon and relate what can be seen from orbit to what we have learned about the Moon through the study of Apollo and lunar meteorite samples; and (2) the Mars Exploration Rovers, whose data we investigate to better understand the mineralogy and composition of the martian surface, alteration processes, and the geologic history of Mars. Although the mission officially ended in 2019, we continue to study results from mission observations. Our group’s research includes laboratory studies to understand mineralogical, compositional, and petrologic characteristics of materials, as well as formation conditions on the parent planet.
The Planetary Materials Research Group employs a range of laboratory facilities and analytical instruments.
JEOL 8200 Electron Microprobe 
Bruker D8 Advance W-ray Diffractometer 
Orbit micro-XRF 
Planetary Petrography Lab 
Sample prep facilities 
Fused bead lab 
Fused-bead apparatus 
Cressington Carbon Coater 
Digital microscope lab 
Laminar flow bench 
Old Ladd carbon coater 
Flow bench for sample preparation
Affiliated Labs
Data
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera