About Me

I am currently a PhD candidate and mineral physicist in the Seismological Laboratory at the California Insitute of Technology. I am generally interested in how the micro to mesoscale properties of minerals govern the evolution and dynamics of planets and whether these properties provide unique signatures that can be discerned via geophysical observations such as seismology, remote sensing, or electrical conductivity measurements. I am currently focused on understanding the heterogenous structure of Earth’s deep interior as well as the role of subducted oceanic crust in transporting volatiles into the lower mantle. My thesis work currently focuses on understanding the crystal chemistry of hydrous phases stable at lower mantle conditions and the potential effects of subducted metabasalt on seismic wave speeds. To do this, I primarily use synchrotron X-ray techniques (powder diffraction, nuclear resonant spectroscopy) at national user facilities such as the Advanced Photon Source and Advanced Light Source, complemented by other spectroscopic techniques (Raman and infrared spectroscopy). I am also interested in many micro to mesoscale properties of materials including spin crossovers, phase transitions, rheology and deformation, and more. For more details on my current and past projects, please see the “Research” section of this website.

AI art intrepretation of "hydrous minerals in the deep earth" (imagine.art)