Department of GeologyGeochemistry, Petrology, and Biomineralogy
My interests involve reactive fluid flow and mineralization in all levels of the earth's crust, in both ancient and modern environments - through regional and contact metamorphism, metasomatism at mid-ocean ridges, and through microbially mediated reactions at the earth's surface.
My research involves a variety of techniques such as CL (cathodoluminescence), scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), LA-ICPMS and LA-ICP-OES (laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or optical emission spectroscopy) and stable isotope analysis (particularly carbon and oxygen). Some of my students also work with Dr. Suzanna Bräuer's research group in the Department of Biology to culture biomineralizing bacteria and fungi. We do extensive fieldwork in southern Appalachian caves as well as on a variety of regional rocks at the surface that have experienced reactive fluid flow and/or biomineralization.
News and Updates
- December 2011 - Sarah and Suzanna's research on microbial biominerals spotlighted in the Appalachian news
- October 2011 - Congratulations to Leigh Anne Roble '12 for presenting her research at the GSA Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, MN.
- April 2011 - Sarah receives grant to study biominerals from NC Space Grant New Investigator's Program
- December 2010 - Sarah receives Research Collaborator appointment at the National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution.
- April 2010 - Our cathodoluminescence microscope (NSF MRI Award#0922942) laboratory is up and running.
- March 2010 - Congratulations to Leigh Anne Roble for presenting her research at SE GSA in Baltimore, MD. Leigh Anne is one of the few sophomores to have presented independent research at a regional meeting.
- December 2009 - Sarah gets an Appalachian Undergraduate Research Council grant: Characterization of Manganese Oxides in Southern Appalachian Caves.
- June 2009 - Sarah and Cynthia Liutkus receive NSF MRI funding (NSF MRI Award#0922942) to purchase a cathodoluminensce microscopy system.