Keith Putirka

Keith Putirka is a Professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at California State University, Fresno. He specializes in Igneous Petrology, Volcanology, Exoplanets, and California Wildfires & Forest Management. His teaching includes undergraduate courses like Mineralogy and graduate courses such as Volcanology and CA Wildfires and Forest Management.

Education:

• B.S., Geology, California State University, Northridge
• M.S., Geology, California State University, Los Angeles
• Ph.D., Geological Sciences, Columbia University

Research Interests: Dr. Putirka focuses on mantle melting processes, volcanic systems, and the composition of exoplanets. His work integrates field studies, laboratory analyses (XRF/XRD), and computational models. Recent contributions include studies on exoplanet rock types using polluted white dwarfs.

Labs/Tools: Utilizes X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and diffraction (XRD) instruments. Develops Excel-based tools for thermobarometry and publishes tutorials on YouTube for mineralogy and petrology applications.