As a planetary scientist I use remote sensing, GIS techniques, lab experiments, and simulations to study the geology of solar system bodies. I have focused much of my research on understanding the past environments of Mars and the Moon, and the dynamics of asteroids and impacts.
Mars records ancient depositional environments and subsequent surface alteration processes in multispectral images.
Recent work suggests Hypanis was a prograding delta, recording a drop in water level of about 500 meters.
Our orbital analysis of a candidate landing site supported formation of sedimentary beds underwater over 3.6 Ga.
Ejecta from the lunar Tycho impact crater were modeled to determine the ballistic effects on the opposite side of the Moon.
The Yarkovsky effect was modeled on Itokawa using a 3D ray tracing thermal model modified to track photon momentum.
My background includes 3-D thermal modeling of asteroids, isotopic analysis of meteorites, modeling lunar impact cratering, geologic mapping of Mars, and analysis of the fluvial history of Mars.