Professors
Robert J Stern
Robert J. Stern is Professor of Geosciences and has served on the UTD faculty since 1982. Most of his scientific career was spent studying modern and ancient plate tectonic processes and products, especially the active Mariana arc system in the Western Pacific and ancient (800-550 million year old) crust exposed in the Arabian-Nubian Shield of Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Israel. He has made important contributions to the geology of Iran, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. Geodynamic contributions include ideas about how new subduction zones form and the evolution of Plate Tectonics. He and his co-authors have published more than 250 peer-reviewed scientific papers. He is co-director of the Permian Basin Research Lab, director of the Global Magmatic and Tectonic Laboratory, Director of Geoscience Studios, and co-Director of the UTD Meteorite Education and Research Lab, all housed in the UTD Geology Dept. He is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union and has been Editor-in-Chief of International Geology Review since 2013. More information can be found on his Wikipedia page.
William Griffin
Randy Griffin has been a Geoscience faculty member since 2008. He is a trained igneous petrologist. His interest in meteorites goes back to a childhood visit to Meteor Crater in northern Arizona. He had the opportunity to become involved with the MERL soon after it was established, and has served as an instructor in two classes that deal with meteorites at UTD.
Students
Fall 2024
Aarej Syed
Major: Computer Science
About me: I am greatly interested in the intersection between astronomy and computer science, as these are two strong interests of mine. I am also a student assistant at MERL.
Why I Like Meteorites: I am interested in all things related to space science, so I naturally like learning about meteorites. However, I think meteorites are extra special because they provide a relatively accessible way to study the formation and evolution of the Solar System.
Ashrita Dara
Major: Data Science
Minor: Geosciences
About me: I’m a data science major with a passion for space exploration, and I’m excited to explore how data science can be applied in the space industry. I also enjoy digital art and am interested in digital design. Additionally, I love working with clay and making sculptures or anything creative and art-related.
Why I Like Meteorites: I’m fascinated by meteorites because, as a space enthusiast, I’ve always dreamed of being an astronaut—though that might be a bit of a stretch. To me, meteorites are a way of touching another planet, giving me a tangible connection to the vastness of space!
Spring 2024
Kevin Thomas
Major: Biomedical Engineering
About me: I am a pre-med major at UT Dallas interested in all things STEM, whether it be biology, physics, coding, or geology!
Why I Like Meteorites: I have always been collecting cool rocks since preschool, and I love shiny, cool things. Even better when those shiny things tell us about the history of the universe!
Krishna Calindi
Major: Computer Science
About me: I like machine learning and am looking to pursue a career in how it can be used to make games more interesting.
Why I Like Meteorites: They remind me how big the universe really is…
Alex Wang
Major: Computer Science
About me: I am a computer science major hoping to specialize in AI in the future.
Why I Like Meteorites: I like learning about space and especially meteorites because they are pieces that we can actually touch and give us a glimpse into the world beyond.
Ammaar Siddiqui
Major: Electrical Engineering
About Me: I am an electrical engineering major at UT Dallas interested in power electronics, robotics, nanotech, PCB Design, and anything else to do with electrical engineering. I also love working with cars and motorsports.(edited)
Why I like meteorites: My liking of meteorites comes from the engineering side of things whether it be building spacecrafts to explore or mine meteorites or even the technologies behind looking at meteorites and examining them here on earth.
Suhani Swain
Major: Biochemistry
About Me: At UTD, I am pre-medicine and pursuing a career in reconstructive plastic surgery. Outside of my interests in breast cancer research and women’s health, I enjoy coaching/judging for Lincoln-Douglas debate and making music!
Why I like meteorites: I’ve always been fascinated by these ancient relics of the universe, no matter how big or small. To me, meteorites can create a tangible connection between us and the cosmos, possibly containing secrets to our celestial history!
Mia Rudin
Major: Geosciences
Minor: Geospatial Information Sciences
About me: My time as a UTD undergrad has strengthened my love geology, planetary science, and research. Involvement in MERL has inspired me to pursue a career in planetary science, specifically surrounding meteorites and micrometeorites.
Why I Like Meteorites: Meteorites are some of the oldest things in our solar system and studying them give us the opportunity to work with samples from space!