Dr. Michelle Thompson

Associate Professor

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Biography

Michelle Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University. She earned her PhD in Planetary Sciences from the University of Arizona in 2016, after obtaining her MS in the same field at the same institution in 2013. Prior to that, she completed two Bachelor’s degrees in Geological Engineering and Biology, both with distinctions, from Queen's University in 2011. Dr. Thompson's research focuses on understanding the alteration of planetary materials and the formation of surfaces on airless bodies, using a combination of experimental techniques and returned sample analyses. Her work involves advanced transmission electron microscopy methods and in situ experimental techniques to explore phenomena relevant to samples returned from historic missions like Apollo and Hayabusa, as well as upcoming missions such as OSIRIS-REx and Hayabusa2. She has received several honors, including the NASA Early Career Fellowship in 2017 and the Geological Society of America Dwornik Student Paper Award in 2016.

Research Interests

Awards

#1

NASA Early Career Fellowship

2017-01-01
#1

Geological Society America Dwornik Student Paper Award

2016-01-01
#1

Joseph Goldstein Scholar Award

2016-01-01
#1

Lunar Planetary Institute Career Development Award

2014-01-01

Requirements for Purdue University

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3.5
TOEFL
Listening
Required:22
Reading
Required:22
Writing
Required:22
Speaking
Required:22
Total
Required:100
IELTS
Listening
Required:7
Reading
Required:7
Writing
Required:7
Speaking
Required:7
Overall
Required:7.5
Duolingo
Overall Score
Required:135
Overall
Required:135
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in CS or related field Foundational concepts of computer science Data structures Computer architecture Operating systems Mathematics through differential equations Linear and matrix algebra
Application Checklist
  • Official Transcripts
  • Academic Statement of Purpose
  • Personal History Statement
  • Resume
  • Three Letters of Recommendation
  • CS Supplementary Form
Specialization Notes

GRE is not required.