Simon C. Brassell Professor

Interests:

• Determination, assessment, and interpretation of molecular and isotopic characteristics of organic matter to identify biogeochemical processes associated with carbon cycling in modern and ancient natural systems.
• Activities focused on the exploration and application of biomarkers and their isotopic signatures as environmental, paleoclimatic, stratigraphic and geochemical tools to better understand:
• Environmental and climatic signals recorded in the temporal and spatial variations of the molecular and isotopic characteristics of sedimentary organic matter.
• The capacity of molecular and isotopic signals to reflect controls on primary production and factors that affect the survival of organic matter in sediments, particularly microbial processes.
• The evolutionary progression of life through time, especially biosynthetic responses preserved in the biogeochemical carbon cycle that are related to global perturbations of the ocean and atmosphere.
• Depositional controls on the formation of petroleum source rocks and influences on the generation, composition, and biodegradation of petroleums, and the fate of hydrocarbons in the environment.

Research Interests:

• molecular and isotopic characteristics of organic matter; biogeochemical processes; paleoclimates; biochemical evolution; petroleum carbon cycling

Research:

• Organic Geochemistry
• Geosciences
• Paleoclimatology
• Biogeochemistry
• Paleoceanography

Skills and Expertise:

• Biomarkers
• Sedimentary Basins
• Exploration
• Geology
• Tectonics
• Environmental Science
• Geochemistry
• Basin Analysis
• Petroleum Exploration
• Biogeochemistry