Jennifer Wright was recently awarded the Mineralogical Society of America's Mineralogy-Petrology Research Grant. This is one of only two such grants awarded annually, and is worth $5000 in research funding. Her proposal, "Measurement of metamorphic kinetics through combined high resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT), electron probe microanalysis (EMPA), and Sm-Nd isotopic dating," was in direct competition with M.S. and Ph.D. proposals from around the country.

Jennifer's research goal for the project is to develop a new way of determining crystallization rates during metamophism by using a diverse set of analytical tools to link variations in chemical composition within a mineral with the time of growth of that portion of the mineral. The award will allow Jennifer to collect a much more robust data set than would otherwise be possible, and should enhance her research results.

Jennifer's advisor is Dr. David Hirsch.