My History

From 2000-2001, I served as the coordinator of the Hobbs Observatory.  I was in charge of scheduling, leading groups of visitors (scouting, schools, etc.), developing programs for scouting badges, and liaising with the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society.

I earned a Bachelors of Science Degree majoring in Physics (liberal arts) and minoring in Computational Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 2002.  My advisor for both programs and my research was Professor Paul J. Thomas.  We did research projects on the icy satellites of the outer solar system.  I also was a teaching assistant for physics and astronomy classes and labs. 

I twice interned (summer of 2001 and summer of 2002) at Cornell University, in the Department of Astronomy, under Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy Steven W. Squyres.  I worked on image sequencing for the Imaging Science Subsystem (ISS) instrument on the Cassini Spacecraft for icy satellites.  I also worked on landing site selection and education and public outreach activities for the Mars Exploration Rover mission.  Because of my work with the rover mission, I was invited to go to the launch of MER-B (Opportunity) in June of 2003, unfortunately, its flight was delayed and I was unable to watch the launch. 

I then spent three years in the graduate program in Physics at the University of Minnesota, Duluth.  I taught undergraduate physics laboratories and did limnology research at the Large Lakes Observatory. 

After a year outside of academia, I returned to the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire to earn my second bachelors of science degree, this time majoring in Geology (liberal arts).  My academic advisor was Professor J. Brian Mahoney.  My research advisor was Professor Phil Ihinger.  I graduated in May, 2009.  I completed a research project investigating the 670-km mantle transition zone. 

I am currently a graduate student in the Department of Geology at the University of California, Davis.  My major professor is Professor Isabel Montañez.  I sometimes teach, and sometimes do research. 

Here is a list of my teaching accomplishments.

Here is a list of courses I have completed. 

Here is information on research interests.

Here is a list of my publications. 

This page was last updated on 23 August 2012 by

John A. Peterson
Graduate Student
Department of Geology
University of California, Davis
One Shields Avenue
Davis, CA 95616

3203 Earth and Physical Sciences Building
japeterson@ucdavis.edu