Rensselaer Astrobiology Research and Education Center People Page

My research is focused primarily on the early steps of creating life from prebiotic environments. This includes synthesis of simple reduced carbon compunds, polymerization and condensation of biomolecules, and simulation of extreme environments in the lab.

While my academic background falls under environmental science and spatial science, my laboratory experience tends more towards extremophile microbiology. Prior to RPI, my research focused on the unique metabolic pathways that develop from the cycling of elemental sulfur in marine sediments, specifically the process of disproportionation. This is the simultaneous oxidation and reduction of elemental sulfur to produce hydrogen sulfide and sulfate. This reaction is poorly understood yet remains a crucial branch of the global sulfur cycle. In my future, I hope to shift gears a bit and apply my knowledge of GIS and remote sensing techniques into the context of biosignature detection missions!