After completing a BFA and MA in painting, I become enamored by basaltic volcanism while living in Hawaii. I went back to school for geology in 2008.  

You can email me at sarahszalelunata@gmail.com

Education

Ph.D. Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Tennessee, Fall 2019

Advisor: Dr. Molly McCanta

Dissertation: Interpreting lunar geochemistry through impact events and terrestrial analogues

I used XAS along with a new Fe and Cr oxybarometer to investigate the effects of impacts on planetary materials. XAS allows for the in-situ, non-destructive measurement and mapping of oxidation states to determine spatial variation within impact glass. We found that reduction does not always occur during impacts, and substantial variation within oxidation states can occur within microns. This oxybarometer was also applied to fulgurites and lunar agglutinates.

Investigated and classified a new lunar meteorite, NWA 10986. This impact-melt breccia represents a complete cross section of the lunar crust, including highland clasts and the meteorite exclusive lithology magnesian anorthosites, and KREEP-free basalt. This meteorite and others like it are challenging our understanding of lunar evolution and the lunar magma ocean theory for the formation of the Moon.

M.S. Earth Sciences, University of Notre Dame, 2015

Advisor: Dr. Clive Neal

Thesis: Apollo 14 very high potassium basalt petrogenesis: Influence of magma chamber and impact processes. 

Apollo 14 very high potassium (VHK) basalts are uniquely enriched in potassium. Previous investigations determined that VHK basalts were pristine basalts formed through assimilation and fractional crystallization of a high-Al parental magma with granite as an assimilate. Revisiting these basalts using new in situ techniques revealed that some of these basalts were secondarily enriched by an exogenous, impact derived source of potassium enrichment. This research not only shows the importance of granite in the lunar crust, but also how “pristine” Apollo samples could be subtly affected by impacts. This presents a problem when whole rock geochemistry of these samples are used to complete modeling for the formation and evolution of the Moon.

M.S. Geology, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2013

Advisor: Dr. Andy Barth

Thesis: Breccia of Frog Lakes: Reconstructing Triassic volcanism and subduction initiation in the east-central Sierra Nevada, California

The Breccia of Frog Lakes represents one of the earliest signs of mafic volcanism in the Sierran Arc. I completed XRF, ICP-MS, and geochemical modeling on the breccia clasts to determine the type of arc responsible for their petrogenesis. With zircon U/Pb dating of two tuff units stratigraphically constraining this breccia, I was able to determine that a non-nascent arc had produced the breccia during the Triassic, constraining the age of subduction initiation for the western margin of the North American Continent to the Permian.

M.A. Painting, University of Alabama, 2005

Thesis: My Backyard

B.F.A. Painting, Birmingham-Southern College, 2003

Fine arts and honors scholarship

Spanish minor

Publications

Roberts, S.E., McCanta, M.C., Dyar, M.D., and Ytsma, C., in preparation, Redox character of lunar volcanic and impact glass: Application of a new Cr oxybarometer: American Mineralogist.

Roberts, S.E., A.A. Sheffer, McCanta, M.C., Dyar, M.D., and E.C. Sklute, 2019, Oxidation state of iron in fulgurites and Trinitite: Implications for redox changes during abrupt high-temperature and pressure events: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 266, p. 332-350.

Roberts, S.E., McCanta, M.C., Taylor, L.A., and Jean, M.M. in press, New lunar meteorite NWA 10986: a mingled impact melt breccia from the highlands with cryptomare; a complete cross section of the lunar crust: Meteoritics and Planetary Sciences.

Roberts, S.E., and Neal., C.R., 2019, Origin of lunar Very High Potassium (VHK) basalts: A combination of endogeneous and exogeneous process: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. v. 266, p. 54-73.

Neal, C.R., Donohue, P., Fagan, A.L., O’Sullivan, K., Oshrin, J., and Roberts, S., 2015, Distinguishing between basalts produced by endogenic volcanism and impact processes: A non-destructive method using quantitative petrography of lunar basaltic samples: Geochemica et Cosmochimica Acta, v. 148, p. 62-80. 

Barth, A.P., Feilen, A.D.G., Yager, S.L., Douglas, S.R., Wooden, J.L., Riggs, N.R., and Walker, J.D., 2012, Petrogenetic connections between ash-flow tuffs and granodioritic to granitic intrusive suite in the Sierra Nevada arc, California: Geosphere, v. 8, p. 250-264.

Short Courses

Impact Cratering Short Course and Field School, 2013

6 day short course and field training program on impact cratering in Sudbury, Canada by Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration and Universities Space Research Association-Lunar and Planetary Institute.

SIMS Workshop, University of California in Los Angeles, 2011

Week long workshop funded by the National Science Foundations

Teaching Experience

University of Tennessee, 2016-2019

Instructor of record for Geology 101, spring 2019, summer 2018, 2019

Lectured for a class of 100 students

Taught accelerated summer courses

TA for mineralogy and petrology

TA for 101 introductory geology labs

University of Notre Dame, 2012-2014

Introduction physical geology lab.

Selected to give lectures over other grad students because of my teaching experience.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, 2010-2012

Solely taught and created all class material and lab exercises for an introductory physical geology lab for 9 classes and 162 students over 4 semesters

Professional Experience

Senior Research Scientist - Electron Microscopy

Corning, Painted Post, NY December 2021 to present

Provide SEM and EDS analysis of Corning materials for internal clients

Contribute to projects and material development

Catalyst Testing Laboratory Manager

Innovative Combustion Technology, Birmingham, AL, April 2020 to November 2021

Provided technical leadership for SCR catalyst testing ensuring all EPRI and VGB test standard requirements are met

Participated in R & D project for catalyst manufacturers

Wellsite Geologist

Horizon Well Logging/Excellence Logging, Tulsa, OK, May-July 2016

Identified hydrocarbon plays present in Anadarko and Permian Basin geologic formations

Described lithology, sedimentology and stratigraphy of geologic materials during drilling

Performed chemical and physical testing on geologic samples for hydrocarbon shows

Recorded geologic data using Wellsight logging software

Monitored drill rig functions, operations and downhole conditions, gas detection

Consulted with drilling crew, operations geologist, company man, directional driller, drilling fluids engineer and other project personnel

Performed XRF/XRD analyses on cuttings for geochemical interpretation 

Wellsite Geologist

Columbine Logging, Midland Texas, 2015-2016

Mudlogged in the Permian, Delaware, and DJ Basins

Created well logs using MPlot and perform on location analyses of cuttings and gas data in conjunction with drilling mechanics to interpret structural formations and well integrity

Provided real time communication with both on site drilling personal and off location operations geologist to relay lithologic information and well conditions

Promoted to lead after completing 5 wells and provided education and training to new employees

Trained new personnel on Permian basin geology, logging procedures

Research Assistant

University of Notre Dame, 2012-2014

Identified a previously uncharacterized secondary chemical enrichment process in Apollo 14 basalt samples leading to a new theory of formation that had eluded previous researchers

Utilized innovative and creative new techniques on irreplaceable samples using detailed in situ geochemical and petrographic analyses, chemical mapping, and crystal size distributions

Research Assistant

Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, 2010-2012

Determined a new age of subduction initiation for the change from passive margin marine sedimentation of the Antler and Sonoma orogenies to active subduction and volcanism in the Permian

Modeled ancient environment of deposition by relating small scale samples to large scale plate tectonics by integrating stratigraphic, petrographic, and geochemical data along with zircon radionuclide dating, geochemical modeling, and sedimentary interpretations

Lab Manager

Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, 2010-2012

Taught and managed interns and students in the timely creation of thin sections by delegating work, resolving problems and disputes, and maintaining organization

Maintained lab safety requirements

Butterfly Keeper

Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis IN, 2008

Butterfly husbandry, maintaining the exhibit, and interacting and educating the public on the lives of butterflies.

Student Mentoring

University of Tennessee, Knoxville TN, 2017-2018

Trained an undergraduate student on a Cameca SX-100 electron microprobe and geochemical data analysis using cryptotephra deposits from IODP expedition 340, core U1396C

·Research was presented in a poster presentation at Southeastern GSA, 2018

Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis, 2010-2012

·Guided students and interns through their research by creating thin sections and petrographic examination

Conference Presentations

Roberts, S.E., McCanta, M.C., Dyar, M.D., and Ytsma, C., 2019, Oxidation state of lunar impact melts: Application of a new Cr melt oxybarometer, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Phoenix, Arizona. (talk)

Roberts, S.E., Sheffer, A.A., McCanta, M.C., Dyar, M.D., and Sklute, E.C, 2019, Investigating redox change during impacts. 50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. (poster)

Roberts, S., McCanta, M., and Dyar, D., 2018, Development of a Cr oxybarometer for glasses: An XAS study, Goldschmidt, Boston, Massachusetts (poster)

Wood, R.S., Roberts, S.E., and McCanta, M.C., 2018, Geochemical assessment of cryptotephra from IODP core U1396C, Southeastern Section-Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Knoxville, Tennessee (poster)

Panzik, J.E., Borden, R.M., Roberts, S.E., Muhlbauer, J.G., and Gwizd, S., 2017 Graduate student guided physical geology laboratory design at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington (talk)

Roberts, S.E., McCanta, M.C., Jean, M.M., and Taylor, L.A., 2017, Northwest Africa 10986: A complex lunar highlands breccia. 80th Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society (poster)

Roberts, S.E., Jean, M.M., Sueilem, M.B., and Taylor, L.A., 2017, Northwest Africa 10986: an impact melt breccia from the lunar highlands.  48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (poster)

Roberts, S.E., and Neal, C.R., 2015, VHK Basalt Petrogenesis via Magma Chamber and Impact Processes. 46th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. (talk)

Roberts, S.E., and Neal, C.R., 2014, New Insights into VHK Petrogenesis through Quantitative Textural Analysis.  45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. (poster)

Roberts, S.E., and Neal, C.R., 2014, Taking off the Potassium Coat: A New Hypothesis for VHK Petrogenesis. 45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. (talk)

Roberts, S.E., and Neal, C.R., 2013, Petrography is still relevant! Examination of lunar melt rocks to determine formation and evolution.  44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. (poster) 

Yager, S., Barth, A.P., Douglas, S.R., Walker, J.D., Riggs, N.R., and Schweickert, R.A., 2012, Magmatic compositions and alteration of rhyolitic ash-flow tuffs in the eastern Sierran arc of California: Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs v. 44, no. 7, p. 244.

Douglas, S.R., Riggs, N.R., Barth, A.P., and Economos, R.C., 2011, The Breccia of Frog Lakes: Record of Mafic Arc Magmatism in the Mesozoic Sierra Nevada, California.  American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, California.  (poster)

Douglas, S.R., Riggs, N.R., Barth, A.P., and Walker, J.D., 2010, Breccia of Frog Lakes: Reconstructing Triassic volcanism in the east-central Sierra Nevada, California. Geological Society of America National Meeting, Denver, Colorado. (poster)

Talks

Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society June Meeting, 2017

Title: Investigating the Moon with new techniques and new samples

Tennessee Space Grant Consortium Annual Meeting, 2017

Title: Outreach and research: the Planetary Geosciences Institute at the University of Tennessee

Volunteer Work

NASA Review Panel Panelist, 2021

McClung Museum, Knoxville TN, 2018

Can you dig it? Annual event with educational activities for kids

Tennessee Science Olympiad, Knoxville TN, 2018

Wrote and proctored Rock and Mineral exam for Divisions B and C for the regional Tennessee state finals

NASA, Destination Imagination, Global Finals, Knoxville TN, 2017-2018                        

Volunteered with NASA during a 4-day event educating national and international participants about the 2017 total solar eclipse and the value of lunar samples with an actual Apollo sample

Science Olympiad Team Tutoring, Knoxville TN, 2017                                                        

Tutored middle school students for a national Science Olympiad competition in rocks and minerals

Awards

Planetary Geology Division GSA travel grant honorable mention, 2019

President’s Award, Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society, 2018

Planetary Geology Division button design competition, 2018

Meteoritical Society and NASA cosmochemistry travel grant to attend the Annual Meeting of the Meteoritical Society in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2017

Field Experience

Field Camp, Indiana University Judson Mead Field Station, Montana, 2011

Completed mapping and lithologic descriptions of Precambrian to Jurassic lithologies to determine the environments of deposition, changing tectonic regimes, and post depositional structural deformation

Field Work, Inyo National Forest and Sequoia National Forest, California, 2011

Mapping, photography, and lithologic descriptions.

Field Work, Joshua Tree National Park, California, 2010

Mapping, lithologic descriptions, brunton and GPS use.

Lab Experience

University of Houston

LA-ICP-MS in-situ analysis

University of Tennessee

Electron Probe Microanalysis, in-situ analysis and chemical mapping

Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis Missouri, 2013

Electron Probe Microanalysis, in-situ analysis and chemical mapping

University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, 2012-2015

Laser Ablation-ICP-MS, in-situ analysis

Electron Probe Microanalysis, in-situ analysis

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN, 2009-2012

Petrology lab, preparation of rock samples for geochemical analysis and thin section preparation.

Stanford University, Stanford, California, 2011

Mineral separation and Scanning Electron Microscopy.

Coursework

University of Tennessee

Geochemical Analysis (EPMA), Planetary Geomorphology, Diagenesis, Remote Sensing, Geophysics Seminar

University of Notre Dame

Environmental Isotopic Geochemistry, LA-ICP-MS Tech, Geochemistry, High Temp Geochemistry, SEM and Vacuum Tech, Actinide Geochemistry

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Geochemistry, Petrology, Mineralogy, Plate Tectonics, Zircon Geochemistry, Historical Geology, Phase Equilibrium, Planetary Remote Sensing, Planetary Geology, Arc GIS, Data Analysis and Statistics 

Art Awards

2003, Best of Show, University of Alabama juried art show

2003, Purchase award and 2 merit awards, Birmingham-Southern College juried art show

2002, Best of Show and merit award, Birmingham-Southern College juried art show

1999, Spencer Bacchus Congressional Art Competition, honorable mention

Shows

2008, Magic City Art Connection, Birmingham, AL

2005, “My Back Yard”  M.A. thesis show University of Alabama

2005, Alabama Wildlife Federation “Flora and Fauna” juried show

2005, Moxie “June Bugs”, Birmingham, AL

2004, group show “5 from 4” Birmingham Art Association

2003-2004, work exhibited at Birmingham-Southern College Environmental Center

2003, 2004, University of Alabama juried show

2003, Birmingham Southern B.F.A. show

2003, solo show at University of Alabama

2001, 2002, 2003, Birmingham-Southern College juried show