Courses
Resources of the Earth; Earth Materials; Environmental Mineralogy; Ideas and Controversies in the Geosciences

Research Interests
Biomineralization and Applications of Raman Spectroscopy and Mineralogy to Materials Science

Professor Pasteris takes a traditional mineralogic-geologic approach to non-traditional materials. Her interdisciplinary research group consists of Dr. Brigitte Wopenka, chemist, and Dr. John Freeman, chemist-spectroscopist. Together they apply vibrational spectroscopy, laser scanning confocal microscopy, and more traditional geochemical analysis techniques to materials ranging from fluid inclusions in minerals and glasses to nanocrystalline precipitates and skeletal minerals in bacteria and humans.

Selected Publications:

"With a grain of salt: What halite has to offer to discussions on the origin of life," Jill D.Pasteris, John J. Freeman, Brigitte Wopenka, Kai Qi, Qinggao Ma, and Karen L. Wooley. Astrobiology, 64, 625-643 (2006).

“A mineralogical perspective on the apatite in bone”, B. Wopenka and J.D. Pasteris. Materials Science and Engineering C. 25, 131-143 (2005).

“Lack of OH in nanocrystalline apatite as a function of degree of atomic order: Implications for bone and biomaterials,” J.D. Pasteris, B. Wopenka, J.J. Freeman, K. Rogers, E, Valsami-Jones, J.A.M. van der Houwen, and M.J. Silva. Biomaterials, 25, 229-238 (2004).

“Development of a laser Raman spectrometer for deep-ocean science,” P.G. Brewer, G. Malby, J.D. Pasteris, S.N. White, E.T. Peltzer, B. Wopenka, J. Freeman, and M.O. Brown. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers, 51, 739-753 (2004).

“Spectroscopic successes and challenges: Raman spectroscopy at 3.6 km depth in the ocean”, J.D. Pasteris, B. Wopenka, J.J. Freeman, P.G. Brewer, S.N. White, E.T. Peltzer, G.E. Malby. Applied Spectroscopy, 58, 195A-208A (2004).