Examples of Past NSF-funded Research:

• Geochemical characterization of lavas from the 2005-06 EPR eruption at 9º 50’ N: Implications for magma genesis, evolution, and transport along a fast spreading mid-ocean ridge

• Collaborative Proposal: Anatomy of an Overlapping Spreading Center; Geochemical and Geological Study of the EPR 9°03’N OSC

• Collaborative Research: Probing mantle plumbing beneath Pacific ridges through study of the Lamont and Vance Seamount chains

Current-funded Research

• Collaborative Research: Melting in the Off-Axis Environment – Interdisciplinary Field and Modeling Studies of the 8 20’N Seamount Chain, EPR

Research Interests:

• Petrogenesis of mid-ocean ridge basalts (MORB), oceanic volcanology and island arc volcanism
• Relationships between tectonics and magmatism 
• Segment-scale chemical variations in MORB 
• Near-ridge seamount geochemistry, petrology and volcanism; 
• Temporal and spatial variability in MORB chemistry; 
• Geochemistry of island arcs, the origin and diversification of magmas erupted in island arcs

I have had extensive experience in mapping and sampling mid-ocean ridges and a few island arcs. In my marine research I utilize the submersible Alvin, a number of different remotely operated vehicles (ROV), autonomous vehicles (AUV) and towed camera and side-scan sonar sleds. In my labs I have petrographically and geochemical analyzed oceanic rocks from the East Pacific Rise, Cayman Trough, Galapagos Spreading Center. The Juan de Fuca Ridge, the Woodlark Basin and numerous near-axis seamount chains. These analyses have provided significant understanding of volcanism and petrogenesis at ridges and provides critical information about the construction of oceanic lithosphere.