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Research aimed at understanding the structure, dynamics, and evolution of Earth’s interior. In particular, I investigate convection in the deep interior which cools the planet, drives plate tectonics, and controls volcanism at the surface. Over geologic timescales, Earth’s rocky mantle flows like a fluid; therefore, my research is performed using computational methods to model the fluid dynamical behavior of the interior. I work closely with seismologists, geochemists, and mineral physicists to develop and test hypotheses geared toward understanding convection in the mantle driven by heat and chemical transport through Earth’s history. I use fluid dynamical models to investigate the dynamics of planetary bodies such as Europa and the icy moons of Jupiter. I arrived at Michigan State University in 2016, previously working as a professor at Arizona State University since 2004. I received my degrees from the University of Michigan (Ph.D., 2002; M.S., 1998) and Michigan State University (B.S. in Geology and Physics, 1996).
Department of Psychology