I’m currently a research scientist at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, at University of Colorado Boulder, where I also completed my PhD. My research interests include rocky planet atmospheres, habitability, planetary evolution, and comparative planetology. Some of the guiding questions I’m most interested in are:
- How have Mars and Venus evolved over time, and how do they continue to evolve today?
- What role does escape to space play in shaping planetary habitability and affecting atmospheric composition?
- What atmospheric conditions contribute to making a planet habitable or removing that habitability?
- Is habitability a common state or uncommon? Is it difficult to maintain?
I’m always happy to talk to students! If you’re interested in my work or the work going on at LASP, please do reach out. If you’re a non-traditional student or thinking about going back to school, I’m also full of advice on that front (see about for more on that).
Mars science with MAVEN:
At LASP, I’m part of the MAVEN mission science team, specifically with the Imaging UltraViolet Spectrograph (IUVS) instrument team, with which we observe H and D Ly α emissions in the atmosphere of Mars. Apart from doing science, I am also responsible for managing the echelle channel data products and maintaining/developing the calibrated>derived (L1a > L1c) data product software pipeline.
In December 2025, we lost contact with the spacecraft after a planned occultation behind Mars. Efforts to reestablish contact and rescue the spacecraft were unsuccessful. NASA convened an Anomaly Review Board (ARB) and has recently released a final report near the end of 2026.
Photochemical modeling of rocky planet atmospheres:
I continue to study rocky planet atmospheres, such as Mars, Venus, and exoplanets, using the photochemical model I developed during my PhD. Within our group, we focus on the D/H isotope system, atmospheric escape, and chemical/dynamical impacts on atmospheric composition.
Find past work here or in the menus above.