Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences | University of Houston
Key Research Themes
My research sits at the intersection of isotope geochemistry, igneous petrology, geochronology, and mantle geodynamics. I am particularly interested in understanding the processes that govern the formation and evolution of magmatic systems, and how these processes are recorded in the geochemical and isotopic signatures of rocks and minerals.
Recycled Crustal Components in Mantle Sources
Tracing recycled crustal components in ocean island and continental basalts using radiogenic (Sr-Nd-Pb-Hf) and non-traditional (Cu-Mo-Tl) stable isotope systematics to constrain the composition and longevity of mantle heterogeneities.
Non-Traditional Stable Isotopes in Igneous Systems
Applying non-traditional (Cu, Mo, Tl, etc.) stable isotope proxies to resolve mantle source, interaction with upper crust in volcanic suites.
Geochemistry of Large Igneous Provinces
Constraining the petrogenesis and mantle source dynamics of flood basalt provinces through integrated major/trace element and multi-isotope approaches, linking deep plume processes to surface volcanism.
Magmatic Sulfide Ore Systems
Investigating the geochemical controls on sulfide saturation, PGE fractionation, and Ni-Cu mineralization in mafic-ultramafic intrusions through chalcophile element systematics.
MC-ICP-MS Analytical Workflows
Developing and refining high-precision analytical protocols for radiogenic and stable isotope measurements, including matrix separation chemistry.
Crust-Mantle Interaction Signatures
Integrating trace element ratios, isotopic compositions, and thermodynamic modeling to disentangle contributions from crustal assimilation, fractional crystallization, and source mixing.
Analytical Toolkit
A visual overview of the practical workflows behind my research, from petrographic observation and sample preparation to clean-lab chemistry and isotope analysis.
Thin Section Petrography
Using transmitted-light microscopy to identify mineral assemblages, deformation textures, alteration patterns, and magmatic histories recorded in thin sections.
Sample Preparation
Hands-on preparation of powders, mineral separates, and analytical-ready materials for downstream geochemical and isotopic measurements.
Clean Lab Chemistry
Applying careful column chemistry and clean-lab protocols to isolate target elements for high-precision isotope measurements.
Isotope Analysis
Integrating analytical workflows with high-precision mass spectrometry and careful reduction of geochemical datasets.
News & Updates
Remote talk at Goldschmidt 2026, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Thallium isotopic constraints on the role of recycled components in the source of Siberian Trap basalts.
Poster at AGU 2025, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Contributions of metasomatized lithosphere or asthenosphere to the formation of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits: Evidence from the Norilsk 1 deposit.
Poster at AGU 2025, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Differentiated alkali-mafic-ultramafic Inagli intrusion (Aldan Shield, Russia): evidence for alkali magmatism in paleosubduction zones.
New article published in Chemical Geology
The role of metasomatized lithospheric mantle in generating the Norilsk 1 Cu-Ni-platinum-group element sulfide deposit: Cu isotope evidence.