I joined the faculty in the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences at Caltech in August, 2003. I'm currently affiliated with the geobiology, geochemistry, and environmental science options at Caltech. My group's research can be described generally as isotopic biogeochemistry. We study organic materials in both modern and ancient environments, using both their molecular structure and isotopic composition to understand where they come from, what processes have affected them, what environmental conditions they record, and other questions. This research spans a range of interests, from records of life on the ancient Earth to carbon cycling in the modern oceans. Current research projects include: i) physical and biochemical fractionations of hydrogen isotopes (D/H ratios) in lipids; ii) lipid D/H as a terrestrial paleoclimate proxy; iii) sources and transformations of marine organic matter; iv) 13C analysis of microbial cells sorted by flow cytometry; v) compound-specific 34S analysis of organosulfur compounds; vi) the occurrence and function of 2-methylhopanoids in bacterial phototrophs. More details on these projects are provided on the research page.
My research group currently consists of a lab manager, 3 postdocs, and 3 PhD students. Two of the students will be graduating soon, and I am currently recruiting new PhD students. Drop me an email if you are interested.
I currently teach three courses: Organic Geochemistry (Ge 143) and the Isotopic Biogeochemistry seminar (Ge 145) in alternating falls, and Global Biogeochemical Cycles (ESE 148c) every spring. Ge 145 will be taught this fall (2009) with a focus on sulfur isotope biogeochemistry.
If you are coming to visit me, and need directions, they are posted here.