Paul D. Asimow

Paul D. Asimow is the Eleanor and John R. McMillan Professor of Geology and Geochemistry at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), part of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. He holds a B.A. from Harvard University (1991), an M.S. (1993), and a Ph.D. (1997) from Caltech. His career progression includes roles as Assistant Professor (1999–2005), Associate Professor (2005–2010), and Professor (2010–present), with the McMillan Professorship since 2016.

Education:

• A.B. in Geology, Harvard University, 1991
• M.S. in Geology, Caltech, 1993
• Ph.D. in Geology, Caltech, 1997

Research Interests: Focuses on computational, experimental, and observational approaches to igneous petrology and mineral physics. Key areas include adiabatic mantle melting, water's role in mantle dynamics, high-pressure mineral physics, and processes at mid-ocean ridges. His research utilizes advanced facilities like the Lindhurst Laboratory of Experimental Geophysics and the alphaMELTS software package for thermodynamic modeling.

Articles Overview: Recent work spans planetary crust formation, Martian petrogenesis, and high-pressure mineral behavior. Themes include experimental techniques, computational modeling, and cosmochemical studies of meteorites.

Awards and Honors:

• James B. Macelwane Medal (AGU)
• Frank Wigglesworth Clarke Medal (Geochemical Society)
• Richard P. Feynman Prize for Teaching Excellence (Caltech)
• Fellow of the American Geophysical Union
• Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America

Grants and Labs: Received NSF funding for developing an interactive phase equilibria curriculum. Leads the Lindhurst Laboratory, focusing on shock-wave experiments and high-pressure mineral physics. Collaborates on software tools like alphaMELTS and MAGMASOURCE.

Labs and Teams: Active in the Caltech Shock Wave Laboratory, advancing experimental methods for planetary material studies. Engages in interdisciplinary projects on Mars geology and terrestrial planet formation.