People

Evans, Alexander J

Assistant Professor

(contact)

Alex couples computational modeling and analyses of observational data to elucidate the complex histories of planetary interiors and surfaces. His research integrates across traditional disciplinary boundaries of geophysics, petrology, geomechanics, atmospheres, climate, geodesy, geology, geochemistry, and biology. His work includes analyses of altimetry, gravity, geomorphology, and tectonics and computational modeling of the structure, surface, and atmospheric and internal evolution of planetary bodies within and beyond our Solar System. Additionally, he has also been involved in the design, development, and implementation of planetary exploration missions.


Postdoc

Khan, Dean

Postdoctoral Research Associate

dean_khan [a] brown.edu

Dean conducts cross-disciplinary research to carry out research that integrates models of mantle thermochemical evolution and atmospheric evolution to understand how exoplanets evolve through time.


Year 5,
Website

Jones, Matthew J

Graduate Student

matthew_jones [a] brown.edu

Matt’s research focuses on the formation and evolution of planetary bodies, especially terrestrial planets. He is interested in using numerical modeling to understand the large-scale geodynamic, thermochemical, and crustal evolution of planets so that we may better understand the history of bodies in our own solar system as well as what we can expect to see in other systems. Currently, Matt is investigating the distribution of lunar crustal terranes that we observe today, supplementing finite element modeling with the perspective provided by lunar gravity, topography, and composition data.


Year 2

Levin, Janette N

Graduate Student

janette_levin [a] brown.edu

Janie is interested in investigating surface and subsurface processes by analyzing the features they leave on planetary surfaces. She seeks to apply a combination of remote sensing and numerical modeling techniques to describe and study the fascinating terrain that can be found on rocky bodies. In the past, she has worked on projects concerning Mars and Antarctica, and looks forward to going somewhere in between distance-wise by researching the Moon.


Year 4
Website

Nichols-Fleming, Fiona

Graduate Student

fiona_nichols-fleming [a] brown.edu

Fiona is interested in the relationships between interior and surface processes of solar system bodies. She hopes to study some of the bizarre geophysical processes observed in our solar system and use numerical methods to better understand and explain them. Her current research is working to explain the high intensity of the early Lunar magnetic field assuming it is caused by an intermittent dynamo rather than a very powerful long-term dynamo.


Year 1

Ramirez, Steven

Graduate Student

[a] brown.edu

Steven is interested in the mechanics of different dynamic planetary processes and studying the surface and interior evolution of planetary bodies. His focus is on using remote sensing and numerical modeling to tackle fundamental challenges in understanding planetary evolution and behaviors observed throughout our solar system. Previously, he has worked on plate reconstruction modeling and seismic interpretation within the North Pacific basin.


Former Members of the Lab

Bjonnes, Evan

PhD Student (Fall 2021)
Now a postdoc at Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI)

Walker, Malik

Undergraduate Student (Summer 2019)
Now a graduate student at Princeton University

Weller, Matthew

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Now a postdoc at Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI)

Wiggins, Sean

Graduate Student
Now a postdoc at Purdue University

Wilner, Joel

Graduate Student

Zuckermann, Anna

Undergraduate Student (Spring 2019)