Current Group Members:
Principal Investigator:
Julia Cartwright
Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama.
M(EarthSc) Earth Sciences, The University of Oxford, UK, 2006.
PhD. Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, The University of Manchester, UK, 2010.
I am a planetary scientist that specialises in the analysis of meteorites!
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, cycling and spending time with friends and family!
Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama.
M(EarthSc) Earth Sciences, The University of Oxford, UK, 2006.
PhD. Isotope Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry, The University of Manchester, UK, 2010.
I am a planetary scientist that specialises in the analysis of meteorites!
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, cycling and spending time with friends and family!
Graduate Students:
Master's Students:
Abutu Sunday Peter
Masters Student - 2021 - Present.
BSc. Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, 2018.
By sheer coincidence, the Mars Curiosity Rover had its first test drive on the surface of the red planet when I turned 18. And ever since, I have been following the timeline of novel discoveries churned out by this science masterpiece. I completed my undergraduate studies in Geology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. For my graduate studies, I decided to niche down my interest to the field of planetary science where I would be researching the characterization of planetary regolith.
For fun, I love to find new hiking trails, watch a game of soccer, and binge-watch travel videos.
Masters Student - 2021 - Present.
BSc. Geology, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria, 2018.
By sheer coincidence, the Mars Curiosity Rover had its first test drive on the surface of the red planet when I turned 18. And ever since, I have been following the timeline of novel discoveries churned out by this science masterpiece. I completed my undergraduate studies in Geology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. For my graduate studies, I decided to niche down my interest to the field of planetary science where I would be researching the characterization of planetary regolith.
For fun, I love to find new hiking trails, watch a game of soccer, and binge-watch travel videos.
Sarah Keenan
Masters Student - 2021 - Present.
BA Geological Sciences, SUNY Geneseo, USA, 2021.
Early in my undergraduate studies, I became interested in petrology and geochemistry, leading me to spend hours upon hours each week poring over thin sections and hand samples in the lab, and then in my final year, I became fascinated with planetary sciences and meteorites.
While I am at UA, I will be investigating the formation of chondrules and testing lightning as a potential mechanism behind their formation. I’m excited to see what I’ll learn.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, and photography.
Sarah is jointly supervised with Dr. Kim Genareau.
Masters Student - 2021 - Present.
BA Geological Sciences, SUNY Geneseo, USA, 2021.
Early in my undergraduate studies, I became interested in petrology and geochemistry, leading me to spend hours upon hours each week poring over thin sections and hand samples in the lab, and then in my final year, I became fascinated with planetary sciences and meteorites.
While I am at UA, I will be investigating the formation of chondrules and testing lightning as a potential mechanism behind their formation. I’m excited to see what I’ll learn.
In my spare time, I enjoy reading, writing, and photography.
Sarah is jointly supervised with Dr. Kim Genareau.
Jessica Clarke
Masters Student - 2019 - Present. (CDUB Bridge Program)
BSc. Chemistry, Fort Valley State University, USA, 2019.
I came to Alabama as part of the CDUB Bridge Program from FVSU with a bachelor in Chemistry. I am the first person from FSVU with a BS in Chemistry to transfer directly into a graduate program, and the first person on the CDUB at UA! In my first three semesters here, I took a number of undergraduate classes to add to my geology studies, and I joined the CCL in January 2021.
I have always been interested in planetary sciences, and for my studies, I am investigating tektites that were created by the K-Pg impact ~60 Million years ago (Ma).
In my spare time, I like to read, and to spend time with my dog Apollo!
Jess is jointly supervised with Dr. Tom Tobin.
Masters Student - 2019 - Present. (CDUB Bridge Program)
BSc. Chemistry, Fort Valley State University, USA, 2019.
I came to Alabama as part of the CDUB Bridge Program from FVSU with a bachelor in Chemistry. I am the first person from FSVU with a BS in Chemistry to transfer directly into a graduate program, and the first person on the CDUB at UA! In my first three semesters here, I took a number of undergraduate classes to add to my geology studies, and I joined the CCL in January 2021.
I have always been interested in planetary sciences, and for my studies, I am investigating tektites that were created by the K-Pg impact ~60 Million years ago (Ma).
In my spare time, I like to read, and to spend time with my dog Apollo!
Jess is jointly supervised with Dr. Tom Tobin.
PhD. Students:
Nate Limbaugh
PhD. Student - 2021 - Present.
BSc. Geology & Geophysics, Emphasis in Geochemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA, 2020
MSc. Geology & Geophysics, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA, 2021.
My passion for geology and chemistry drove me to study igneous systems in my undergraduate and MS research, but now I'm ready to shoot for the stars and pursue a PhD involving meteorite research here at UA! With a previous background in examining minerals via microscopy and working with compositional data from electron microprobe analyses, I'm interested in employing isotopic and new analytical methods on meteorites to unravel some of the mysteries of our solar system.
When I'm not being a rock detective, I enjoy hanging out with friends, writing, playing guitar, and exploring cities and hiking trails.
PhD. Student - 2021 - Present.
BSc. Geology & Geophysics, Emphasis in Geochemistry, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA, 2020
MSc. Geology & Geophysics, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA, 2021.
My passion for geology and chemistry drove me to study igneous systems in my undergraduate and MS research, but now I'm ready to shoot for the stars and pursue a PhD involving meteorite research here at UA! With a previous background in examining minerals via microscopy and working with compositional data from electron microprobe analyses, I'm interested in employing isotopic and new analytical methods on meteorites to unravel some of the mysteries of our solar system.
When I'm not being a rock detective, I enjoy hanging out with friends, writing, playing guitar, and exploring cities and hiking trails.
Ioannis Kouvatsis
PhD. Student - 2019 - Present.
BSc. Earth Sciences, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece, 2015.
MSc. Earth Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland, 2018.
I am interested in extraterrestrial matter and its delivery to Earth, controlled by the convoluted dynamic evolution of the Solar System bodies and I am pursuing my PhD in meteorite studies. My research interests involve meteorite reconnaissance fieldwork, collection and classification of meteorites. I have previously worked on identifying changes in the meteorite flux intensity and composition and on a new classification method for ordinary chondrites using XRD. For my studies at UA, I will be working on chronology and compositional studies of meteorite phases using multiple techniques.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, swimming and riding my motorcycle.
PhD. Student - 2019 - Present.
BSc. Earth Sciences, Aristotle University Thessaloniki, Greece, 2015.
MSc. Earth Sciences, University of Bern, Switzerland, 2018.
I am interested in extraterrestrial matter and its delivery to Earth, controlled by the convoluted dynamic evolution of the Solar System bodies and I am pursuing my PhD in meteorite studies. My research interests involve meteorite reconnaissance fieldwork, collection and classification of meteorites. I have previously worked on identifying changes in the meteorite flux intensity and composition and on a new classification method for ordinary chondrites using XRD. For my studies at UA, I will be working on chronology and compositional studies of meteorite phases using multiple techniques.
In my spare time, I enjoy hiking, swimming and riding my motorcycle.
Former Graduate Students:
Mark Boyd
Masters Student - 2019 - 2021.
BSc. Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Earth Sciences), Durham University, UK, 2019.
MS. Geology, University of Alabama, 2021.
Mark is currently in the PhD. program at Imperial College London, where he was awarded a prestigious fellowship to study micrometeorites and terrestrial spherules alongside the geological record. Well done Mark!
Masters Student - 2019 - 2021.
BSc. Natural Sciences (Chemistry and Earth Sciences), Durham University, UK, 2019.
MS. Geology, University of Alabama, 2021.
Mark is currently in the PhD. program at Imperial College London, where he was awarded a prestigious fellowship to study micrometeorites and terrestrial spherules alongside the geological record. Well done Mark!
Undergraduate Students:
I am looking for undergraduate researchers - please contact me if you're interested!
There are a number of projects in the CL that are available for undergraduate students - send me an email!
Past Group Members:
Undergraduate Students:
John Barton, Graduated Summer 2022, UA.
Currently working in an internship with the SULI program.
Currently working in an internship with the SULI program.
Sydney Briggs, Graduated Summer 2021, UA.
Currently studying for a graduate degree at the University of Georgia.
Currently studying for a graduate degree at the University of Georgia.
Joseph Pavelites II, BSc. Chem & Biochem. Graduated Summer 2020.
Currently studying for a graduate degree at the University of S. Alabama.
Currently studying for a graduate degree at the University of S. Alabama.
Sam Berges, BSc. Geology, Graduated Summer 2020.
