Emily First

Emily First is an Assistant Professor of Geology at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, conducting experimental research on volcanic systems across Earth and planetary bodies through high-temperature and pressure laboratory methods.

Her academic journey includes:

• PhD from the University of Hawaii under Dr. Julia Hammer
• Postdoctoral research at Brown University (2018-2020) with Dr. Malcolm Rutherford
• 51 Pegasi b Fellowship at Cornell University collaborating with Dr. Esteban Gazel

Her research spans Volcanology, Petrology, Planetary Science, Mineralogy, and Experimental Geology, focusing on magma crystallization kinetics, thermodynamic constraints, and diffusion processes. Applications extend to terrestrial volcanic systems (Hawaii, Chile) and extraterrestrial bodies including Mars, the Moon, and exoplanets, with experimental work informing magma storage conditions and lava cooling rates.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• 51 Pegasi b Fellow

Dr. First mentors students in Macalester's Geology Department through teaching Mineralogy (GEOL 250) and Volcanoes (GEOL 194) courses, though specific advisees are unlisted. No grant details appear in the source material.

She is establishing her experimental petrology laboratory at Macalester's Olin-Rice Science Center, advancing research on igneous processes across planetary scales.