CV

Research Experience

Postdoctoral Research Associate. 2023-Present

Lunar and Planetary Laboratory – The University of Arizona. Member of the Sample Analysis Team for NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission

Characterization of sulfides in samples from asteroid Bennu

Graduate Research Associate. 2018-2023

Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences – Purdue University

Investigating the Role of Sulfides and Fe-oxides in the Space Weathering of Asteroidal Regoliths.

Undergraduate Research Intern. Summer – Fall 2017

Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences – Purdue University   

Mineralogical Analysis of Columbus Crater, Mars by NIR Spectroscopy

Education

Ph.D.  Planetary Sciences, Purdue University. 2018 – 2023. 

B.S.  Geology, Universidad Nacional de Colombia. 2013 - 2018.

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S., Loeffler, M.J., Dukes, C.A., Szabo, P.S., Horgan, B,H,N. 2023. Evaluating the effects of space weathering on magnetite on airless planetary bodies. Icarus 402, 1-14.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S. 2022. Space weathering signatures in sulfide and silicate minerals from asteroid Itokawa. Earth, Planets and Space 74:124, 1-14.

Prince, B.S, Magnuson, M.P, Chaves, L.C, Thompson, M.S, Loeffler, M.J. 2020. Space weathering of FeS induced via pulsed laser irradiation. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 125, 1-14.  

Achievements/Recognitions

Gerald H. Krockover Graduate Fellowship Award in K-12 Outreach. Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. Purdue University

100 Most Influential Latinos. Bloomberg Linea.

NASA Planetary Sciences Division Travel Grant. Meteoritical Society Conference. 2022.

NASA Planetary Sciences Division Travel Grant. Meteoritical Society Conference. 2021.

Goldschmidt Conference Grant. Goldschmidt Conference. 2021.

M&M Student Scholar Award. Microscopy & Microanalysis (M&M). 2021.

Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) Boarders Program. NASA’s DART mission. Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. 2021.

Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST). NASA. 2020.

Amelia Earhart Fellowship. Zonta International Foundation. 2020.

Fall Travel Grant. Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. Purdue University. 2019.

Barringer Crater Company Travel Award. Barringer Crater Company. 2019.

Summer Research Grant. Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. Purdue University. 2019.

LPI Career Development Award. Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI). 2018.

Undergraduate Research Experience Purdue-Colombia (UREP-C) Program. Universidad Nacional de Colombia. 2017.

Conference Papers

Chaves, L.C., Haenecour, P., Barnes, J.J., Smith, L.R., Ong, I.J., Wilbur, Z.E., Bloch, E., Zega, T.J., Thompson, M.S., Keller, L.P., King, A.J., McCoy, T.J., Russell, S.S., Hill, D., Connolly Jr., H.C., Lauretta, D.S. 2024. Characterization of sulfides in samples from asteroid Bennu. 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1586.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S., Dukes, C.A., Loeffler, M.J., Horgan, B., Szabo, P.S., Smith, N.L., Ardrey, K.D. 2023. Evaluating the effects of space weathering on asteroidal accessory phases: magnetite and pentlandite. 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1804.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S., Horgan, B., Dukes, C.A., Loeffler, M.J. 2022. Space weathering of magnetite simulated by pulsed laser and ion irradiation experiments. Abstract #6322. 85th Meteoritical Society Conference.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S., Horgan, B., Dukes, C.A., Loeffler, M.J. 2022. Investigating the response of sulfides and Fe-oxides under space weathering conditions through the analysis of returned and experimental samples. Microscopy and Microanalysis.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S., Horgan, B., Dukes, C.A., Loeffler, M.J. 2022. Simulating space weathering on magnetite via pulsed laser and ion irradiation experiments. 23rd General Meeting of the International Mineralogical Association.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S., Horgan, B., Dukes, C.A., Richards, B., Honts. L., Loeffler, M.J., 2022. Understanding the effects of space weathering on magnetite through experimental simulations. 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract # 2213.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S. 2021. Space weathering of sulfides and silicate minerals from asteroid Itokawa. Hayabusa Symposium.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S. 2021. Sulfur and nickel depletion in space weathered sulfides from asteroid Itokawa. Meteoritical Society Conference. Abstract #6234.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S., Prince B.,   Loeffler M.J. 2021. Simulating micrometeoroid impacts on magnetite:  implications for remote sensing observations and returned sample analysis. Meteoritical Society Conference. Abstract #6298.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M.S. 2021. Chemical and microstructural analysis of space weathered Fe-sulfides returned from asteroid Itokawa. Goldschmidt Conference. Abstract #7803.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M,S., Shuvo, S.N. 2021. Coordinated analyses on space weathering signatures on a Fe-sulfides grain from asteroid Itokawa. Microscopy and Microanalysis, 27, 2048-2051.

Chaves, L.C., Thompson, M,S., Shuvo, S.N. 2021. Space weathering features in a sulfide grain from asteroid Itokawa. 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1770.

Chaves, L,C., Thompson, M,S., Loeffler, M,J. 2020. Investigating the role of sulfides in the space weathering of carbonaceous chondrites. Microscopy and Microanalysis Conference.

Chaves, L,C., Thompson, M,S., Loeffler, M,J. 2020. Micrometeorite bombardment simulation on Murchison meteorite: The role of sulfides in the space weathering of carbonaceous chondrites. 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1670.

Chaves, L, C., Thompson, M,S., Loeffler, M,J. 2019. Understanding the role of sulfides in the space weathering of asteroidal regolith. 82nd  Meteoritical Society Conference. Abstract # 6404.

Chaves, L,C., Horgan, B., Lynch, K, Kimbrough, L., Wray, J. 2018. Acidic environments in Columbus Crater, Mars: implications for habitability. 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1744.

Hanley, J., Horgan, B., Chaves, L,C. 2018. Investigating the distribution of Martian salts. 70th Annual Rocky Mountain GSA Section.

Short Courses

High Resolution Electron Microscopy Winter School. Arizona State University. 2023.

Foundations of College Teaching. Purdue University. 2022.

Science Communication (virtual). Universidad de los Andes. 2020.

Planetary Scientist Engagement Institute Workshop. Lunar and Planetary Institute. 2019.

Hands-on Training in Handling and Manipulation of Small Extraterrestrial Samples-Third Edition. NASA Johnson Space Center. 2018.

Service

STEM Olympiads. Secretaría de Educación de Bogotá.

Outreach Committee Member. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). Purdue University.  2020-2022.

Student Advisor. Planetary Geology Division - Geological Society of America. 2019–2021.

Invited Talks

Planetary Materials*. Mars on Earth Project (MOEP) Colombia. 2022

Investigating the Response of Sulfides and Fe-oxides under Space Weathering Conditions Through the Analysis of Returned and Experimental Samples. Microscopy and Microanalysis Conference. 2022.

Let’s Talk about Science*. Secretaría de Educación de Bogotá. 2021.

Space weathering of sulfides in asteroidal regoliths*. American Asociation of Petroleum Geologist (AAPG) – Young Professionals Colombia Chapter. 2021.

Talk with a Planetary Scientist*. Student Geological Society – Universidad de Puerto Rico - Recinto de Mayagüez. 2021.

Perseverance on Mars*. Planetario de Bogotá. 2021.

International Day of Girl and Women on Science - Mars: More than a Red Planet*. Colombian Network of Women Scientists. 2021.

Inspirar Tiene su Ciencia*. Secretaría de Educación de Bogotá . 2020.

Physics and Geosciences Colloquium*. Universidad del Norte. 2020.

Challenges and Opportunities for Women in the National and International Aerospace Field Zero-G*. Universidad de los Andes. 2020.

Asteroid Day*. Colombianas Haciendo Investigación en Astrociencias (CHIAs). 2020.

*Virtual

Volunteering

Earth Day. Volunteer. Imagination Station. Lafayette, Indiana. 2022.

Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science (EAPS) Virtual Passport Day. Outreach committee member. Purdue University. 2022.

Colombia Purdue Research Symposium. Organizing committee member. Purdue University. 2020.

Letters for a Pre-Scientist. 2019 – 2020.

Passport Day. Volunteer. Imagination Station. Lafayette, Indiana. 2017-2019.

Space Day Ambassador. Volunteer. Purdue University. 2018.

IX Professional Orientation Forum STEM. Speaker. Fundación Mujeres Por Colombia. Bogotá, Colombia. 2018.

Latinos in STEM. Speaker. Imagination Station. Lafayette-Indiana. 2017.

Mentoring

Big Siblings program. Colombian Student Association at Purdue (CSAP). 2023-2022

Geosciences Education & Mentorship Support (GEMS). 2023-2022

Mentoring Program. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS). Purdue University.  2022

Teaching

EAPS 105 - The Planets. Instructor. Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science (EAPS). Purdue University. 2023

Technical Skills

Microscopy. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), Focused Ion beam (FIB), Ultramicrotomy

Computing. Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office, Website Design, JMARS

Languages

Spanish. Native speaker

English. Proficient