Alan Whittington

Alan Whittington is a Professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), leading the Heat and Mass Transfer and Experimental Rheology (HAMsTER) Lab within the College of Sciences. His research focuses on volcanic processes, planetary geology, and the rheological properties of magmas. He has collaborated extensively with institutions like NASA, the University of Missouri, and international partners on projects involving lunar regolith utilization and extraterrestrial lava flow studies.

Whittington's educational background is not explicitly stated in the provided texts, though his work indicates expertise in geosciences. His research spans field studies in Hawaii, Iceland, Guatemala, and experimental work analyzing lava viscosity, thermal properties, and crystallization. He has secured over $1.1 million in grants from NASA, NSF, and industry partners for projects such as lunar brick manufacturing and stardust mineral analysis.

He advises a diverse team of graduate and undergraduate students, including current members Ashley Emerson, Brenna Halverson, and Austin Patridge. Notable awards include his 2024 election to the AAAS Fellows. The HAMsTER Lab actively engages in interdisciplinary projects with engineering and physics departments, emphasizing space resource utilization and planetary material science.