My research focuses on extraterrestrial chrome-spinel grains that are dispersed in sediment throughout the Jurassic time period. The unique oxygen isotopes and elemental abundances of chrome-spinels can be used to determine their parent meteorite type, which is used to reconstruct meteorite populations throughout Earth’s history. Throughout this work I have become skilled in the use of the Electron Microprobe and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometer. I also have experience using FIB and TEM to use the compositions of silicate inclusions in chrome-spinels for parent meteorite classifications.

Laboratory affiliations:

• Advanced Electron Microscopy Center at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa.
• UH W. M. Keck Cosmochemistry Laboratory

Publication:

Schmitz, B., Yin, Q. Z., Sanborn, M. E., Tassinari, M., Caplan, C. E., and Huss, G. R. (2016) A new type of solar-system material recovered from Ordovician marine limestone. Nature Communications, 7(1), 1-7.