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Research
GEOLOGY • ASTROBIOLOGY • PLANETARY SCIENCE
Ironstones & Biosignatures
Ironstones & Biosignatures
Raman spectroscopy • Scanning electron microscopy & energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy • Petrography • Field investigation • Sample preparation
Mississippian Quartz Geodes & Diagenesis
Mississippian Quartz Geodes & Diagenesis
Fluid inclusion geochemistry & microthermometry • Petrography • Raman spectroscopy • Field investigation • Sample preparation
My research focuses on the depositional and diagenetic processes that influence the preservation of geological information, particularly potential biosignatures in iron-rich sedimentary rocks.
I am especially interested in understanding how terrestrial geological materials can inform interpretations of potentially habitable environments beyond Earth. My work combines analytical mineralogy, sedimentology, petrography, and spectroscopy to investigate the formation and alteration of sedimentary deposits and their implications for astrobiology.
SEM image of hematitic ooid in ironstone. Lower Silurian Red Mountain Formation, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.
Biosignature Preservation and Detection in Ironstone
Biosignature Preservation and Detection in Ironstone
Iron-rich sedimentary deposits are important records of ancient geological environments and are particularly relevant to the search for evidence of past life.
My investigations include the examination of oolitic ironstones to better understand their mineralogical characteristics, diagenetic histories, and potential for preserving biosignatures.
Using Raman spectroscopy, petrography, and complementary analytical methods, this work examines the relationships among mineral phases, sedimentary textures, carbonaceous material, and post-depositional alteration.
The broader goal is to improve our understanding of how evidence of ancient life may be preserved, modified, or obscured in terrestrial and planetary geological materials.
Mississippian Quartz Geodes & Diagenetic Maturation
Mississippian Quartz Geodes & Diagenetic Maturation
A second area of my research examines quartz-bearing geodes within the Mississippian Fort Payne Chert of northeastern Alabama.
This work investigates the origin of quartz mineralization and the burial and thermal histories recorded by these deposits. Through mineralogical observations, fluid inclusion investigations, and geothermometric approaches, I explore the conditions under which quartz crystallized and the implications for interpreting the diagenetic evolution of the host formation and the East Black Warrior Basin.
Photomicrograph of fluid inclusions in megaquartz. Mississippian Fort Payne Chert, Kirbytown, Alabama, USA.
Primary Methodology
Primary Methodology
Petrography
Petrography, fluid inclusion geochemistry & microthermometry, paragenetic sequencing, and thin section preparation.
Raman Spectroscopy
Raman spectroscopy (collection & analysis), Raman geothermometry (RSCM), micro-Raman spectroscopy, portable Raman spectroscopy, experimental design, and sample preparation.
SEM/EDS
Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, and sample preparation.
Field Investigation
Detail oriented data collection, hand sample identification, portable Raman spectroscopy, geologic mapping (traditional, StraboSpot), and sample collection.
For publications, conference abstracts, presentations, invited talks, and manuscripts associted with these investigations, see Publications & Presentations.
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