Education
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN Ph.D. in Geology – 2008
Dissertation: “Determination of mineral abundances in ordinary chondrites using powder X-ray diffraction: Applications to parent body processes and asteroid spectroscopy”
University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN M.S. in Geology – 2005
Thesis: “Identification of terrestrial alkalic rocks using thermal emission spectroscopy: Applications to Martian remote sensing”
Tulane University, New Orleans, LA B.S. in Geology – 2000
Professional Experience
Associate Professor of Geology Colby College, Waterville, ME January 2019 – present
Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Geology Colby College, Waterville, ME February 2014 – December 2018
Assistant Professor of Geology Illinois State University, Normal, IL August 2009 – December 2013
Visiting Professor of Geology Illinois State University, Normal, IL July 2008 – May 2009
Funded Grants
- Metasomatic alteration of calcium-aluminum-rich inclusions from the CV3-4 and CK3-4 carbonaceous chondrites. $663,318 ($73,443 Colby amount). PI: A. Krot. Co-PI: NASA Emerging Worlds, 2022-2025.
- Acquisition of a SEM-EDS-EBSD-CL microanalytical system for geologic research, teaching, and outreach at Colby College, a Primarily Undergraduate Institution (PUI). $299,950. PI: T. Dunn; co-PIs: W. Sullivan, B. Koffman. NSF Earth Sciences: Instrumentation and Facilities, 2021-2022.
- Thermal metamorphism of the unequilibrated CK chondrites: Evidence for a single CK-CV chondrite parent body? $125,044. PI: NASA Cosmochemistry Program, 2013-2015.
- Nickel content in CV and CK chondrites: Evidence for a single parent body? $3,318. PI: Pre-tenure Faculty Initiative Grant, College of Arts and Sciences, Illinois State University, 2011.
Professional Recognition
- Asteroid 1981 EJ28 officially named (8999) Tashadunn, August 2014
- Excellence in Outreach, University of Tennessee, Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), 2008
- Excellence in PhD Research, Planetary Geoscience Institute, University of Tennessee, 2008
- LPI Career Development Award, Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2008
- Vesta Mayo Memorial Scholarship, Mayo Educational Foundation, 2007
- Excellence in Outreach, University of Tennessee, EPS, 2007
- Excellence in Graduate Course Work, University of Tennessee, EPS, 2006
- Departmental Service Award, University of Tennessee, EPS, 2006
- Excellence in Outreach, University of Tennessee, EPS, 2005
- Dedicated Enthusiasm Award, Planetary Geoscience Institute, University of Tennessee, 2005
- Excellence in Graduate Student Presentations, University of Tennessee, EPS, 2005
- Excellence in Graduate Teaching, University of Tennessee, EPS, 2004
Invited Talks
- ”To be (a CK) or not to be (a CK)?: The unusual case of Northwest Africa 10588” – Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston, TX Aug. 26, 2022
- “It’s getting hot in here: Metamorphism of primitive solar system materials” – UCLA, Feb. 21, 2021
- “It’s getting hot in here: Thermal metamorphism of the least equilibrated CK chondrite” – Tulane University, Jan. 29, 2021
- “It’s getting hot in here: Thermal metamorphism of the least equilibrated CK chondrite” – University of New Hampshire, March 12, 2020
- “It’s getting hot in here: Thermal metamorphism of the least equilibrated CK chondrite” – Columbia Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Dec. 7, 2018
- “Thermal Metamorphism in Primitive Asteroids: Addressing the CK-CV Parent Body Question” – Rutgers University, Dec 2, 2015
- “Thermal Metamorphism in Primitive Asteroids: Addressing the CK-CV Parent Body Question” – Bates College, Nov 3, 2015
- “Thermal Metamorphism in Primitive Meteorites” – Texas Christian University, January 16, 2015
- “Thermal Metamorphism in Primitive Meteorites” – University of Iowa, April 5, 2013
- “Primitive Meteorites and their Parent Asteroids” – Colby College, Dec. 2, 2011
- “Ordinary Chondrites: Mineral Abundances and Parent Body processes” – Southern Illinois University, Oct. 6, 2011
- “Ordinary Chondrites: Mineral Abundances and Parent Body processes”- Ohio University, October 2009
- “Understanding Meteorite Parent Bodies” – ISU Department of Physics Informal Seminar, September 2009
- “Ordinary Chondrites: Mineral Abundances and Parent Body processes”- Illinois State Univ., January 2009
Professional Affiliations
- American Geophysical Union
- Mineralogical Society of America
- Geological Society of America, Planetary Science Division
- Meteoritical Society
- Sigma Xi Research Society, Full member
