Voting for new UKPF committee members
Two of our Co-Chairs, Tara Hayden and Tom Barrett are stepping down from the UKPF committee. We are seeking to appoint three committee members as soon as possible to support the existing members.
The purpose of the UK Planetary Forum is to promote all aspects of planetary research in the UK among scientists and towards the public. The forum is currently headed by Co-Chairs who run this website, maintain the mailing list, organize the annual UKPF meeting.
Details of the applicants for these positions are given below - TO VOTE COMPLETE THE VOTING FORM IN THE LINK BELOW:
Voting closed by 5pm FRIDAY 3rd FEBRUARY!
The purpose of the UK Planetary Forum is to promote all aspects of planetary research in the UK among scientists and towards the public. The forum is currently headed by Co-Chairs who run this website, maintain the mailing list, organize the annual UKPF meeting.
Details of the applicants for these positions are given below - TO VOTE COMPLETE THE VOTING FORM IN THE LINK BELOW:
Voting closed by 5pm FRIDAY 3rd FEBRUARY!
Ben Rider-Stokes
I am a third year PhD student at the Open University primarily investigating the oxygen isotopic compositions of angrite meteorites. I am further planning on investigating the H isotopic composition and abundance within angrites to help shed light on the evolution of water in the early inner Solar System. My main research interests are:
Dating Solar System processes via combined imaging, EBSD and U-Th-Pb isotope analysis of achondritic meteorites.
Dating Solar System processes via combined imaging, EBSD and U-Th-Pb isotope analysis of achondritic meteorites.
- Shock metamorphism and its effects on key chemical records of planetary evolution, especially the isotopic systematics of volatile and moderately volatile elements.
- Constraining the timing of the water influx to the inner Solar System by evaluating the ‘water’ contents of primitive achondrites.
- Evaluating the effects of thermal events such as shock metamorphism and fusion crusts on the internal structure of minerals such as phosphates.
Jen Mitchell
I’m currently employed as a Technical Specialist at Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre, University of Plymouth, as part of our current ERDF part-funded project, Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network. We provide electron microscopy analysis for businesses in the local area, as well as supporting internal and external academic researchers and students. I’ve been working alongside and training various post-graduate students to help with their research and am applying for lecturer positions in the coming months so that I can continue to teach.
My research is largely based on the use of non-destructive techniques for the study of meteorites, with particular focus on the evolution of magmatism and igneous activity on large asteroids in the early Solar System. I use my background as an igneous geologist to investigate meteorites and develop models to explore the details of planetary formation and development – the overarching theme of my PhD, awarded April 2021. I’m also part of an active research group that classify new meteorites (www.ukspacerocks.co.uk), as well as the Winchcombe UK meteorite science team. In addition to research, I also take part in a number of outreach events at the University and head our public-facing outreach series, Microscopy LIVE!.
I’ve been a member of UKPF for several years now and I’d definitely like to be involved as it was very useful to me during my undergraduate degree and throughout my PhD as well. I have strong time management skills, work efficiently, and have a professional but friendly attitude towards work, and I have no doubt that I will be an asset to the committee. I also currently help manage the Plymouth Electron Microscopy and Space Rocks UK social media pages and have been able to garner good interactions from those. I genuinely care about upcoming students and new researchers, and if selected for a committee position would do all I can to help support them.
My research is largely based on the use of non-destructive techniques for the study of meteorites, with particular focus on the evolution of magmatism and igneous activity on large asteroids in the early Solar System. I use my background as an igneous geologist to investigate meteorites and develop models to explore the details of planetary formation and development – the overarching theme of my PhD, awarded April 2021. I’m also part of an active research group that classify new meteorites (www.ukspacerocks.co.uk), as well as the Winchcombe UK meteorite science team. In addition to research, I also take part in a number of outreach events at the University and head our public-facing outreach series, Microscopy LIVE!.
I’ve been a member of UKPF for several years now and I’d definitely like to be involved as it was very useful to me during my undergraduate degree and throughout my PhD as well. I have strong time management skills, work efficiently, and have a professional but friendly attitude towards work, and I have no doubt that I will be an asset to the committee. I also currently help manage the Plymouth Electron Microscopy and Space Rocks UK social media pages and have been able to garner good interactions from those. I genuinely care about upcoming students and new researchers, and if selected for a committee position would do all I can to help support them.
Lee White |
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Currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Open University, my research focuses on unravelling the nanoscale structural and chemical intricacies which are inherent in all planetary samples. I use techniques such as atom probe tomography (APT) to analyse the structure and trace element composition of minerals in an effort to constrain the timing and mechanisms of crustal formation, evolution and bombardment in the inner Solar System, with a particular focus on the Moon. After completing my PhD at the University of Portsmouth, I undertook postdoctoral research at the University of Toronto (Canada), where I worked on a range of topics including constraining the acidity of water on a carbonaceous parent body, and understanding the shock deformational history of ancient Martian breccias.
Peter McArdle
I am a Planetary Sciences PhD student at The University of Manchester. My PhD project is focused on quantifying volatile budgets and determining ages of Enstatite Chondrite meteorites. Studies have shown that these meteorites are likely some of the major building blocks of the Earth. The results of my project will increase our understanding of volatile budgets in the early inner Solar System and also add to our record of the ages of primitive early Solar System material.
I have a broad interest in geology and planetary science. I am particularly interested in the formation of early Solar System material and the amalgamation and differentiation of planetary bodies. Prior to beginning my PhD, I was a successful geologist and later a team leader in the energy industry for ten years. I believe that my industry experience has given me a useful perspective and skillset upon which to base my academic career.
In addition to research, I also enjoy outreach and teaching. I am a member of The Cosmic Cast podcast and have volunteered at major events like the Bluedot Festival and ScienceX. I hold teaching associate responsibilities here at Manchester and I hope to continue on an academic career path which balances planetary science research and teaching.
As a member of the UKPF, I see it as an important resource for UK planetary scientists. I have found the opportunities it advertises particularly useful; I found my PhD through the UKPF. I would love the opportunity to get involved with the UKPF, to contribute more to our community and promote planetary science. In addition to being passionate about planetary science I have a useful skillset built up from my years in industry, which could be of use to the UKPF. Additionally, I am passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As an LGBTQ+ person, I am keen to promote DEI in the sciences and workplace. Thanks for stopping by.
I have a broad interest in geology and planetary science. I am particularly interested in the formation of early Solar System material and the amalgamation and differentiation of planetary bodies. Prior to beginning my PhD, I was a successful geologist and later a team leader in the energy industry for ten years. I believe that my industry experience has given me a useful perspective and skillset upon which to base my academic career.
In addition to research, I also enjoy outreach and teaching. I am a member of The Cosmic Cast podcast and have volunteered at major events like the Bluedot Festival and ScienceX. I hold teaching associate responsibilities here at Manchester and I hope to continue on an academic career path which balances planetary science research and teaching.
As a member of the UKPF, I see it as an important resource for UK planetary scientists. I have found the opportunities it advertises particularly useful; I found my PhD through the UKPF. I would love the opportunity to get involved with the UKPF, to contribute more to our community and promote planetary science. In addition to being passionate about planetary science I have a useful skillset built up from my years in industry, which could be of use to the UKPF. Additionally, I am passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As an LGBTQ+ person, I am keen to promote DEI in the sciences and workplace. Thanks for stopping by.