I am gathering initial biomarker data as well as performing high-resolution geochemical and geochronology analysis in the Mowry Shale of the Powder River Basin, WY. These analyses along with specialized GDGT analysis of crenarchaeal lipids will provide insight into paleo-depositional conditions that have caused variable organic enrichment throughout the shale play. 

I worked in collaboration with a team of civil engineers to find ideal local rock types to create an artificial lunar regolith. Geochemical analysis and mineralogical comparison through thin section point counts were conducted. A good duplicate for lunar basalts was found, but plagioclase in the proposed anorthosite duplicate underwent a very different cooling history. Since powdered for the engineer's use, they proceeded to utilize both duplicates found.