معرفی
Dr. Michelle Thompson is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University, part of the College of Science. She specializes in planetary materials, space weathering, and the analysis of lunar and asteroid samples. Her research focuses on understanding the evolution of airless planetary surfaces using advanced microscopy and experimental techniques. Thompson holds a PhD in Planetary Sciences from the University of Arizona (2016) and dual BS degrees in Geological Engineering and Biology from Queen's University (2011).
Her work encompasses projects like the Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis (ANGSA) program, studying samples from the Apollo 17 mission, and analyzing particles from asteroid Ryugu returned by JAXA's Hayabusa2 mission. She is also part of the OSIRIS-REx mission's tiger team, preparing to study samples from Bennu. Thompson's lab, LEAPS, investigates space weathering effects on the Moon, Mercury, and asteroids, with applications to future NASA missions like Artemis.
Notable awards include the NASA Early Career Fellowship (2017) and the Joseph Goldstein Scholar Award (2016). She advises graduate students in planetary science and geochemistry, leading projects such as lunar water analysis and venusian surface studies. Thompson's research bridges experimental and analytical methods, contributing to both fundamental science and mission-driven exploration goals.
