MY STORY

I've always enjoyed working on complex problems in physics and math. My interest in applied physics and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRS) began when I first learned that matter can emit radiation and that radiation in the X- and gamma-ray band can be harnessed productively for use in applications of medical imaging, health physics, cancer therapy, power generation and spectroscopic analysis of materials. Realizing that so many forms of radiation, spanning the EM spectrum, could be harnessed to determine the identity of the participating atoms, thereby making analytical spectroscopic analysis possible, was fascinating to me. I was later captivated with the knowledge that XRS could be applied to quantitative elemental analysis of materials. I understood that an entire field of research existed, dedicated to investigating new ways to enhance scientific gains realized from from spectroscopic analysis. Much of my career since then has been dedicated to enhancing both applied spectroscopic techniques used in XRS and our understanding of the fundamental physics involved in the emission of X-rays.

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The work I do today is generally split between project work on PIXL, the Planetary Instrument for X-ray Lithochemistry, an XRS mounted on the arm of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Perseverance Rover, and investigating new in situ XRS instruments for forthcoming planned and unplanned space mission concepts. I carry out my research in the PIXL Science Lab at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (JPL) in Pasadena, California.

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I occasionally act as a subject matter expert reviewer for Icarus, Advances in X-ray Analysis, the Journal of X-ray Spectrometry. I presently serve as a member of the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) working group on for NASA's Mars 2020 mission. I periodically help chair the Quantitative Analysis of XRF Session for the annual Denver X-ray Conference (DXC). I also participate in meetings hosted by the International Initiative for X-ray Fundamental Parameters (IIFP). 

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I do not presently have research funding but I am willing to consider supervising individuals who have project ideas and can bring their own funding. I am an advocate for the promotion of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility awareness and practices in the workplace and I encourage any self-funded and interested individuals, from diverse educational, socio-economical backgrounds to reach out to me to discuss possible opportunities.