Recent & Current Postdocs

Current Postdocs

Nick Lang (nlang1@utk.edu)
(2006 - present) University of Minnesota
Nick's research will focus on interpreting TES and THEMIS spectra from orbiting spacecraft to constrain igneous process on Mars.

Tomohiro Usui (tusui@utk.edu)
(2005 - present) PhD Okayama University (Japan)
Tomo is involved primarily in studying the petrology and geochemistry of SNC (martian) meteorites and Mars rocks analyzed by MER rovers. He is also involved in geochemical studies of HED meteorites.

Past Postdocs

Ralph Harvey
(1990-1994) PhD University of Pittsburgh
Ralph's research focused on the petrology and geochemistry of nakhlites and other martian meteorites.

Bruce Patterson
(1993-1994) PhD University of St. Andrews (Scotland)
Bruce was instrumental in calibrating the ion microprobe at nearby ORNL, and used this instrument to analyze sulfur isotopes in troilite of ordinary chondrites.

Don Eisenhour
(1995) PhD Arizona State University
Don described a method for correcting chondrule sizes measured in this section, and characterized the QUE94201 martian meteorite.

Jim Greenwood
(1996-1998) PhD Brown University
Using the ion probe, Jim analyzed sulfur isotopes in the sulfides of martian meteorites. He also participated in mission operations and analysis of rocks for Mars Pathfinder.

Rachel Lentz
(1998-2004) PhD University of Hawaii
Rachel's work focuses on application of crystal size distribution analysis to martian meteorites, and measurement of light elements (Li, Be, B) by ion microprobe.

Mike Rampey
(2003-2005) PhD Cambridge University (England)
Mike used THEMIS imagery and spectra to study volcanic domes on the martian surface.

Amitabha Ghosh (aghosh@utk.edu)
(1997 - 2006) PhD University of Tennessee
Amitabha has continued developed of asteroid thermal models by including realistic accretion scenarios. He also participated in mission operations and analyses of soils for Mars Pathfinder.