Curriculum Vitae
Research Interests.
My research primarily focuses on understanding the microscopic processes that shape planetary surfaces in order to constrain the evolutionary history of these planetary bodies over geologic time. My research interests comprise of understanding the mineralogical composition, morphology, and chemical characteristics of planetary regolith. I aim to understand how planetary surfaces are altered using both laboratory techniques, like microscopy and spectroscopy, on samples and analogues, as well as larger-scale remote-sensing and GIS techniques.
Image Credits: NASA/Goddard/University of Arizona
Education.
2022 -
Ph.D.: Planetary Science
Purdue University | Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Advisor: Dr. Michelle Thompson
2017 - 2021
B.S.: Geology, minor in Astronomy
University of South Florida | Honors College
Honors thesis: Quantifying the Environmental Response to Deglaciation in Martian Craters Throughout the Late Amazonian
Advisors: Dr. Joseph E. Panzik (University of South Florida) and Dr. Erica R. Jawin (Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum)
Technical Skills.
Spacecraft Data Experience.
Moon: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Narrow Angle Camera (LROC NAC), Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA), Chandrayaan-1’s Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3)
Mars: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter’s High-Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), Context Camera (CTX), Mars Global Surveyor’s Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA)
Bennu: OSIRIS-Rex Camera Suite (OCAMS): PolyCam, MapCam, NavCam, SamCam, OSIRIS-Rex Laser Altimeter (OLA)
Computer & Software Experience.
Languages/Programs: Python, MATLAB, R, ESRI ArcGIS, Small Body Mapping Tool (SBMT), Craterstats2
Design/3D Modeling: Adobe Creative Suite, Agisoft Metashape, Geomagic Wrap, Artec Studio, Plustek Opti Film 120 Slide Scanner, VueScan
Lab Experience.
Sample preparation, fossil photography using ammonium chloride
Professional Experience.
at a glance.
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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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NASA Ames Research Center
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Brown University
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NASA Headquarters
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Institute for Digital Exploration
further details.
Jun. 2021 – Aug. 2021Research Intern, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | Washington D.C.
Advisors: Drs. Erica R. Jawin, Cari M. Corrigan, and Tim J. McCoy
Project Title: “Linking Boulder Diversity on Asteroid (101955) Bennu to Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites.”
Jan. 2021 – Aug. 2021Curatorial Intern, Institute for Digital Exploration | Tampa, FL
Advisors: Dr. Davide Tanasi, Madeleine Kraft
Position description: 3D digitization of archaeological artefacts using LiDAR, close-range scanning, and digital photogrammetry, as well as recorded metadata and paradata necessary for curating a digital collection and database.
Aug. 2020 - Jun. 2021Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Intern, National Aeronautics and Space Administration - HQ | Washington D.C.
Advisors: Dr. Shobhana Gupta, McRae Lenahan, Dr. Keith D. Gaddis
Position description: Developed and designed the logistics of a strategic communication series denoting the importance of mindful and inclusive language as well as curating a database aimed at understanding and reaching broader, more diverse communities.
Jun. 2020 – Aug. 2020Research Intern, Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | Washington D.C.
Advisors: Drs. Erica R. Jawin, Cari M. Corrigan, and Tim J. McCoy
Project Title: “Quantifying the Environmental Response to Deglaciation within Martian Craters.”
May 2020 – Aug. 2020Research Intern, National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Lucy Student Pipeline Accelerator and Competency Enabler Academy | Tempe, AZ
Project description: Wrote a concept proposal on the process of converting lunar regolith into 3D printing filament and aided in creating lunar geologic maps for areas that were mineralogically significant for our project.
Mar. 2020 – Dec. 2020Science Communication Intern, Time Scavengers | Tampa, FL
Advisors: Drs. Sarah L. Sheffield, Jen E. Bauer, and Adriane R. Lam
Position description: Wrote articles about the latest planetary science findings with the aim of increasing the accessibility of science. Also conducted peer-review and curated social media content.
Mar. 2020 – Dec. 2021Research Intern, University of South Florida | Tampa, FL
Advisor: Dr. Sarah L. Sheffield
Position description: Collected data about fossil discoveries to understand broad evolutionary changes in echinoderms through time and constructed a dataset to examine disparities within echinoderms and their dispersal throughout geologic history.
Jan. 2020 – May. 2020Research Intern, National Aeronautics and Space Administration – Ames Research Center | Mountain View, CA
Advisors: Dr. Parul Agrawal, Miguel D. Castillo
Project Title: “Feasibility Analyses and the Development of Advanced Planetary-Spatial Information Systems for Future Lunar Exploration Missions.”
Aug. 2019 – Aug. 2021Student Assistant, University of South Florida Library - Digital Scholarship Services Department | Tampa, FL
Supervisor: Richard Schmidt
Position description: Built open-access, high-impact digital research collections to support research productivity by imaging, digitizing, and processing a wide range of physical collections (primarily regarding environmental science and natural history).
May 2019 – Jul. 2019Research Intern, Brown University & The Leadership Alliance | Providence, RI
Advisors: Drs. John F. Mustard and Alyssa C. Pascuzzo
Project Title: “North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars: Investigating the Effects of Perennial Dust Deposits on Water-Ice Sublimation.”
News & Example Works.
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On the Path Towards Inclusivity with Lisette Melendez
An article published on the NASA Earth Science Applied Sciences blog about my internship project, where I discussed the significance and outcomes of the diversity & inclusion strategic communications campaign.
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Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program Collection
An example of the kind of projects that I digitized during my time at the Digital Scholarship Services Department at the University of South Florida Library. I loved working at the library!
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Time Scavengers Blog Posts
I interned for the Time Scavengers blog, a site dedicated towards making important geologic concepts accessible to the general public. I learned how to better communicate science with a wider audience - this link includes some of the articles I wrote during my time there!
