Research Projects
The majority of my research involves looking at mid-ocean ridge-derived magmatism through the lens of igneous petrology. However, I also have research projects in Geoscience Education Research (GER), and am very passionate about improving upon the geoscience academic realm from within. Below, you can find descriptions of a selection of research projects.
Geochemical Variability at 14°N of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: Insights into Magma Transport and Storage at Slow Spreading Mid Ocean Ridges
At slow-spreading Mid-Ocean Ridges (MORs), geophysical and morphological observations suggest that magmatism is variable along individual ridge segments, with a relatively high supply at the segment center and a diminishing supply towards the segment ends. However, the nature of how magma is generated and transported along the segment ends is not well constrained.
To better constrain magmatic generation and transport at slow spreading MORs, a single segment of the Mid Atlantic Ridge (14°N) was systematically mapped and sampled from the magmatic center towards the sparsely magmatic transform faults. We use major and trace elements and radiogenic isotopes to characterize the geochemical variability. We then quantify the variability using a heirarchical clustering analysis. To constrain the origins of the variability, we employ petrologic modeling of processes like fractional crystallization, extents of partial melting, and magma mixing. Manuscript is currently in prep. This work is advised by Dorsey Wanless.​​
Using Olivine- Hosted Melt Inclusions to Investigate the Magmatic Plumbing System of the 8°20'N Seamount Chain
The 8°20'N Seamount Chain is a ~160km long lineament of volcanoes off-axis at the East Pacific Rise. Lavas along this chain are incredibly variable in trace elements and radiogenic isotopes. However, the magmatic plumbing system of this complex chain remains unconstrained. Using volatile and geochemical contents of olivine-hosted melt inclusions, I constrain how the depths of crystallization and magmatic heterogeneity varies at five seamounts along this off-axis seamount chain. This work is advised by Dorsey Wanless.
Roles & Responsibilities of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) through the Perspective of both Faculty and GTAs
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are a critical, but often overlooked, component of a university department. They often act as a liaison between faculty and undergraduate students, serving as the primary point of contact for undergraduates, and thus, have the power to help shape a department’s learning culture. Despite playing such an important role in higher education, little is known about GTA’s perceptions of their roles and responsibilities. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, interviewing faculty and surveying GTAs from a single geoscience department to better understand the role of the GTA, and how that perception varies between faculty and GTAs. Manuscript currently in prep. This work is advised by Karen Viskupic.
Characterizing Seamount Volumes and Lava Morphologies off-axis at the East Pacific Rise
I analyzed thousands of seafloor bottom images and characterized lava morphologies along the off-axis 8°20'N Seamount Chain. Additionally, I calculated volumes of seamounts to better understand the eruptive history of the chain. This work was done as a post-bac research assistantship at WHOI, advised by Dan Fornari.
