Profile – Astronomy Zone

Education:

Imperial College London (2009 – 2014) and Royal Holloway, University of London (2004 – 2009)
Qualifications:

PhD: Planetary Geology (Imperial College London); MSci Geosciences (Royal Holloway, University of London)
Work History:

I’ve had loads of odd jobs as well as the academic ones! Natural History Museum London, Imperial College London, Mander Portman Woodward School, Carl Zeiss Microscopy, Royal Holloway University of London, City Lit, Peppermint Bars & Events, Ben & Jerry’s UK, Odeon Cinemas…
Current Job:

Post-doctoral Research Associate

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A geologist by training, I now spend my time in the depths of planetary science playing with meteorites and lamenting the loss of fieldwork from my immediate career (something that I intend to rectify in the near future)! I completed my first degree in Geology at Royal Holloway, University of London and then moved sideways into Planetary Geology for my PhD studies at Imperial College London. Fortunately my PhD was partnered with the Natural History Museum in London within the Minerals and Planetary Science division, so I have had access to one of the best meteorite collections on the planet for the last few years and had a fantastic time working within both the university and museum environments.

My research has primarily focused on the study of Martian meteorites and how these can be used as a ground-truth for rover and satellite data from Mars. I have also been investigating magmatic histories for Mars by studying the petrology of the Shergottite meteorites and using a variety of different X-ray imaging and infra-red spectroscopic techniques, and aim to continue developing these themes alongside terrestrial analogues and experimental comparisons.
My Typical Day:

There’s no such thing as a ‘typical day’ when you work with rocks from another planet…
What I'd do with the prize money:

Start an outreach program to take cutting-edge science to schools outside of London where the access isn’t as good!

Natasha Stephen