About

Val is a postdoctoral researcher working with Dr. Richard J. Walker at the Department of Geology, University of Maryland. She specializes in high-temperature isotope geochemistry of mantle-derived intraplate melts, using the results to trace ancient, deep mantle processes as well as evaluating long-term records of mantle plume activity on the Pacific seafloor.

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Val received her BS in Geological Sciences from Michigan State University, MS in Geological Sciences from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and her PhD (also in Geological Sciences) from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, where she also did a postdoctoral stint before moving on to the University of Maryland.

Currently, Val is working on research exploring the osmium isotope geochemistry and highly siderophile element (HSE) budgets of a Finnish ophiolite, as well as isotopic systematics of the Hawaiian Archipelago. Other active research includes evaluating structure and behavior of the Rurutu mantle plume through geochemical and geodynamic observations, componentry of recent Lau Basin backarc boninitic and bonitoid melts, and exploration of global isotopic and geochemical patterns. She has so far worked in varying capacities with Fe, Pb, Sr, Nd, Hf, Os, U, Th, and Po isotope systems (soon W), and very likely will continue expanding that list! She splits her time between being a labrat and a computer nerd, working on novel approaches to get the greatest utility out of her isotope data.

In her spare time, Val enjoys road cycling, playing music, photography, tinkering with her bikes and custom keyboards, being lazy with the cats, and indulging her artistic side with moderately successful 3D printing attempts.