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Background

Currently I am a postdoctoral research associate at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; via the University of Maryland (UMD), where I am studying planetary analogs from both geologic and operational perspectives to better understand geologic problems on other planetary bodies while simultaneously addressing the operational needs for performing field geology/geophysics in locations such as the Moon, Mars, or other terrestrial type locations in the solar system. Previously, I spent 12 years as an Extravehicular Activities (EVA) flight control officer at the NASA Johnson Space Center working in Mission Control and training astronauts.

RESEARCH AREAS

San Francisco Volcanic Field,
2019, 2018, 2017, 2016

In October 2017 I returned for a second field season in the San Francisco Volcanic Field, AZ, to continue geophysical exploration of the SP Crater Region. The team again included scientists from UMD, NASA, and NAU.

This season the team spent 12 days in the field collecting seismic and magnetic data to determine the near sub-surface structure that is influencing the processes at work in the evolution of the volcanic field. We collected data on both the north and south sides of volcanic vents.

It's anticipated that the results of the data analysis will confirm the alignment with area faults beneath the volcanic vents, and possibly show local dikes and/or sills (subsurface volcanic features) as having been feeder systems into the vents themselves.

Lava Beds National Monument,
2019, 2017

In April/May of 2017 I had the opportunity to be part of the TubeX fieldwork in Lava Beds National Monument, California. Here we gathered data on various lava tubes using geophysical instruments including a magnetometer, GPR (ground penetrating radar), geophone seismometers, LiDAR (light detection and ranging), and hXRF (handheld x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy). This data will be used to investigate the technologies and techniques necessary to explore and characterize these features on other planetary bodies such as the Moon and Mars. The rationale for this research includes the potential future use of lava tubes as locations for human planetary bases to provide protection from radiation exposure and micro-meteoroid impacts.

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In April/May of 2017 I had the opportunity to be part of the TubeX fieldwork in Lava Beds National Monument, California. Here we gathered data on various lava tubes using geophysical instruments including a magnetometer, GPR (ground penetrating radar), geophone seismometers, LiDAR (light detection and ranging), and hXRF (handheld x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy). This data will be used to investigate the technologies and techniques necessary to explore and characterize these features on other planetary bodies such as the Moon and Mars. The rationale for this research includes the potential future use of lava tubes as locations for human planetary bases to provide protection from radiation exposure and micro-meteoroid impacts.

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San Francisco Volcanic Field, 2016

Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, 2017

Initial analysis of data from the 2016 fieldwork in the San Francisco Volcanic Field was presented recently at the 48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, during the thursday evening poster presentations.  It was a very exciting evening discussing my planetary analog work with a many researchers.  

Throughout the week, I had the opportunity to attend a variety of talks regarding on-going research throughout the solar system.  These included other planetary analog work, as well as lunar, martian and terrestrial volcanism and tectonics.

In October of 2016, we executed our first field season in the San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona, performing geophysical exploration of the SP Crater Region. This research included researchers from the University of Maryland, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, NASA Johnson Space Center, as well as the Northern Arizona University.

The focus of this study is to use geophysical field techniques to address several fundamental geologic problems of the volcanic and sedimentary structures in the San Francisco Volcanic Field, in conjunction with determining measures to increase the efficiency of geophysical surveys of planetary bodies.

The research is expanding on the simulated lunar missions executed by the NASA Desert RATS teams (https://www.facebook.com/NASA.DRATS/) of previous years. By leveraging this work, we are able to directly tie this study's geophysical results to planetary exploration scenarios.

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