 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |
BIO
My passion for minerals and gemstones began at age 6 and has driven my career in mineralogy and geochemistry. As a researcher I enjoy exploring how the crystallography, bonding environments, mineralogy, and geochemistry of minerals can to help answer broader questions in environmental science, materials science, and gemology. My research projects have spanned many sub-fields of mineralogy, from the gemological and material properties of Oregon Sunstones, to the high-pressure mineralogy of 3d transition metal carbonates, to the biomineralization of corals in changing ocean environments.
I recently began the next chapter of my career as the Coralyn W. Whitney Curator of Gems and Minerals at the Smithsonian Institution in the Department of Mineral Sciences. I look forward building my research program in biomineralogy and becoming a steward of the National Gem and Mineral Collection.
Photo credit: Jennifer Renteria, Smithsonian Institution
PUBLICATIONS
SULFUR SPECIATION IN CORALS
Coupled X-ray Fluorescence and X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy for Microscale Imaging and Identification of Sulfur Species within Tissues and Skeletons of Scleractinian Corals. Read this publication here.
DEEP-SEA CORAL MINERALOGY UNDER OA
Mineralogy of deep-sea coral aragonites as a function of aragonite saturation state. Read this publication here.
NEW MINERAL DISCOVERY IN OREGON SUNSTONES
Protoenstatite: A new mineral in Oregon sunstones with “watermelon” colors. Read here.
A RAMAN STUDY OF ORGANICS IN CORAL SKELETONS
The Origin and Role of Organic Matrix in Coral Calcification: Insights From Comparing Coral Skeleton and Abiogenic Aragonite. Read here.
MERCURY SPECIATION ON COAL FLY ASH
Mercury Interaction with the Fine Fraction of Coal-Combustion Fly
Ash in a Simulated Coal Power Plant Flue Gas Stream. Read here.
EDUCATION
PETER BUCK POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW
SMITHSONIAN NMNH
January 2019 - October 2019
My postdoctoral work focused on characterizing the mineralogy of biosilicas (diatoms, phytoliths) compared to X-ray amorphous silicas (opal-A, hyalite) in order to better understand what makes these biosilicas unique and to predict how they may interact in the environment. My postdoctoral advisor was Dr. Jeffrey Post.
PH.D. IN GEOCHEMISTRY
MIT-WHOI JOINT PROGRAM
August 2013 - October 2018
My thesis research was on the crystallography, mineralogy, and chemistry of modern scleractinian corals. I explored sulfur speciation across coral skeletons and tissues using advanced synchrotron radiation techniques, measured crystallographic differences between coral and other bioaragonites verus geologically-formed aragonites, and tracked how skeleton crystallography and geochemistry could be shifting with ocean acidification. Apart from these projects, I acquired additional skills in synchrotron methods (EXAFS, XANES, XRF), sterile technique, and working at sea. My Ph.D. advisor was Dr. Colleen Hansel and my committee members included Dr. Amy Apprill, Dr. Anne Cohen, and Dr. Tanja Bosak.
B.S. IN GEOLOGICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
STANFORD UNIVERSITY
September 2009 - June 2013
My honors research was on the high-pressure bonding environment of 3d transition metal carbonates (siderite and rhodochrosite), working with Dr. Wendy Mao.
I also worked on a few environmental geochemistry/mineralogy projects during this time, including a project on Hg speciation on coal-fly ash with Dr. Gordon Brown Jr. and another project on fungi-mediated Mn-oxidation with Dr. Cara Santelli at the Smithsonian.
last updated: December 2018
