Michael J. Jercinovic

Michael J. Jercinovic is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Geographic, and Climate Sciences at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he also serves as Director of the Electron Microprobe Laboratory (EMSEMF). His research focuses on advancing microanalytical techniques for geological materials, particularly through the development of high-precision electron microprobe methods.

His primary research interests include:

• Development of electron microprobe methods for trace element analysis and geochronology
• Design and application of the SX-Ultrachron, a custom-built instrument optimized for sub-micron scale analysis of minerals like zircon, monazite, xenotime, thorite, and uraninite
• Investigating tectonic histories through microscale geochronology in regions such as Norway, Canada, the Lake Superior region, the southwestern U.S., Western Australia, the Adirondacks, the Appalachians, and Idaho
• Microanalysis of optical fibers and trace elements in geological materials using Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA)

His work represents a major advancement in materials microanalysis, enabling unprecedented precision and spatial resolution for understanding the timing and rates of complex tectonic processes. The SX-Ultrachron, developed in collaboration with Cameca, Inc. and Michael L. Williams, is the only instrument of its kind capable of sub-micron trace element and geochronological analysis.

He has been involved in collaborative studies on some of the oldest materials on Earth, including monazite and xenotime inclusions within zircons from Western Australia, contributing to fundamental insights into early Earth history.

While no specific scientific awards are listed in the provided text, his leadership in developing cutting-edge instrumentation underscores his significant contributions to the field of geochemical microanalysis.

Michael J. Jercinovic advises students through his role as a faculty member and research director, though specific advisees are not named. His laboratory, EMSEMF, functions as a key research hub for microanalytical geoscience. He has secured collaborative support for instrument development, particularly in partnership with Cameca, Inc., indicating successful grant and project leadership.

The EMSEMF laboratory, under his direction, supports advanced research in mineral chemistry and geochronology, serving both academic and applied research needs in Earth sciences.