I'm a metamorphic petrologist and geochemist interested in metamorphic phase equilibria, chemical kinetics, convergent tectonics, and subduction zone dynamics. Essentially, I'm interested in how mountains are formed and how the materials that make up the crust are recycled back into the Earth. I employ thermodynamic modeling, Raman spectroscopy and good old fashioned petrography (along with other tools) to constrain the conditions of fluid production during subduction and the petrologic and structural evolution of mountain belts.

My courses are classically grounded, but forward looking. I incorporate hands-on lab work with long term collaborative projects to help students build critical thinking skills that help them solve geological and real life problems. I teach courses in the realm of “hard rocks” including Volcanology, Earth Materials, and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology. I’m interested in developing senior theses with any students interested in tectonics, earth materials and metamorphic petrology!

Recent Publications