Randy L. Korotev

Dr. Randy L. Korotev is a Research Professor Emeritus in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis. He specializes in lunar geochemistry, using the chemical composition of lunar materials to understand lunar geology, impact history, and early crust formation.

His research focuses on analyzing lunar meteorites and samples from Apollo and Luna missions to study how meteorite impacts have shaped the Moon's surface. Dr. Korotev has developed techniques for precisely determining chemical compositions of lunar samples using instrumental neutron activation analysis, and integrates data from Clementine and Lunar Prospector missions to contextualize lunar samples within regional and global frameworks.

Dr. Korotev maintains extensive online educational resources about meteorites, including identification guides and lunar meteorite databases. His recent publications focus on isotopic analysis of Apollo samples, lunar regolith processes, and developing new methodologies for lunar surface sampling.

He has conducted field research in Antarctica at Meteorite Moraine near Lewis Cliff and maintains an active role in educating the public about meteoritic science through his university website.