Our research group works in the field of interfacial biogeochemistry, which includes medical mineralogy and biomineralization, bioceramics, and environmental geochemistry. The unifying theme is organic and inorganic interactions at mineral surfaces on the molecular- and nano-scale. Specific projects include the self-assembly of phospholipids as model cell membranes at mineral surfaces, cell adhesion to mineral surfaces, protein-mediated biomineralization of calcite, silica and apatite, bone growth on silicate bioceramic prosthetic implants, and biomimetic silica synthesis. Further, as members of UW's NASA Astrobiology Program, we are involved in understanding biomineral morphologies as potential biosignatures on Mars. In order to determine thermodynamically feasible reactions and to identify kinetic reaction pathways, the group uses theoretical modeling (quantum chemical-molecular orbital calculations and classical thermodynamics), aqueous analytical methods (ICP-OES, AA, etc.), spectroscopic and microscopic techniques to characterize solid, sorbed and aqueous phases (NMR, HRTEM, AFM, XAS) and thermochemistry (microcalorimetry). We interact closely with other research groups in the Departments of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Soil Science, and in the Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program. The ultimate aim in our group is to encourage students to think independently and across the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines, while maintaining a core chemistry- and mineralogy-based expertise.

I teach Environmental Geology (Geo 106), and Fluids and Sedimentary Processes (Geo 303) at the undergraduate level, and Interfacial Biogeochemistry (Geo 776) at the graduate level. In addition, I have (co-)taught graduate seminars in Biominerals and Biomaterials, Astrobiology and Banded Iron Formations. My teaching goals are to aid the development of reasoning skills, to indicate avenues for cross-disciplinary thinking, and to give the students some idea of the scientific and practical applications of the fundamental principles being taught in class.

Department Council-Member, Department Graduate Studies Committee, University General Education Committee, The Khorana Program.