CV - Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences

NICHOLAS DYGERT
[email protected]
mobile: (617) 699 9039
Married to Vera Dygert, esq.
University of Texas at Austin
Jackson School of Geosciences
University Station C1160
Austin, TX 78712
Education and Appointments
Jackson School Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow
University of Texas at Austin
December 2014-present
Ph.D., Brown University
October 2014
Advisors: Dr. Yan Liang and Dr. Greg Hirth
Thesis: Experimental and field constraints on the physciochemical evolution of the terrestrial and
lunar mantles
Sc.M., Brown University
May 2012
Advisor: Dr. Yan Liang
Thesis: The importance of melt TiO2 in affecting high field strength element partitioning between FeTi oxides and lunar picritic glass melts
B.S., cum laude, University of Rochester
Major: Geochemistry, Minor: History
Advisors: Dr. Asish Basu and Dr. Carmala Garzione
Thesis: Petrochemistry of the Jayu Khota crater, Bolivian Altiplano
May 2007
Research Interests
Silicate and oxide-melt trace element partitioning with lunar, planetary, and terrestrial applications
Rheological properties of lunar and terrestrial mantle minerals, two phase flow
Mantle melt migration processes, melt-rock reaction, mantle geochemistry and geothermometry
Experimental petrology
Geochemical modeling
Impact cratering
Publications
Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Sun, C., Hess, P., 2014. An experimental study of trace element partitioning
between augite and Fe-rich basalts. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta,
doi:10.1016/j.gca.2014.01.042.
Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Hess, P., 2013. The importance of melt TiO2 in affecting high field
strength element partitioning between Fe-Ti oxides and lunar picritic glass melts. Geochimica
et Cosmochimica Acta, doi:10.1016/j.gca.2012.12.005.
Wang, C.G., Liang, Y., Xu, W.L., Dygert, N., 2013. Interaction between pyroxenite-derived melt and
peridotite: laboratory dissolution experiments with applications to mineral compositional
variations in mantle xenoliths from the North China Craton. Contributions to Mineralogy and
Petrology, doi:10.1007/s00410-013-0938-6.
Manuscripts in Review
Dygert, N. and Liang, Y. Temperatures and cooling rates recorded in REE in coexisting pyroxenes in
ophiolitic and abyssal peridotites. Earth and Planetary Science Letters.
Wang, C., Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Xu, W. Formation of orthopyroxenite by reaction between
peridotite and hydrous basaltic melt: An experimental study. Contributions to Mineralogy and
Petrology.
Submitted Manuscripts
Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Kelemen, P. Formation of plagioclase lherzolite and associated dunite-harzburgitelherzolite sequence by multiple episodes of melt percolation and melt-rock reaction: An example from
Trinity ophiolite. Journal of Petrology, submitted December 2014.
Manuscripts in Preparation
Dygert, N., Hirth, G., Liang, Y. Rheology of ilmenite and ilmenite-olivine aggregates and implications
for lunar mantle convection.
Abstracts
Dygert, N. and Liang, Y., 2014. A possible difference in cooling rates recorded in REE in coexisting
pyroxenes in peridotites from ophiolites and mid-ocean ridges. Sixth International Lherzolite
Conference, Marrakech.
Dygert, N. and Liang, Y., 2014. Decoupling among trace elements and Ni during melt migration and
melt-rock reaction in the mantle: An example from a dunite-harzburgite-lherzolite sequence from
Trinity Ophiolite. Sixth International Lherzolite Conference, Marrakech.
Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Kelley, K., 2013. A possible difference in cooling rates recorded in REE in
coexisting pyroxenes in peridotites from supra-subduction ophiolites and mid-ocean ridges. AGU Fall
Meeting, T11A-2412.
Liang, Y., Wang, C., Saper, L., Dygert, N., Xu, W., 2013. Melt-rock reaction in the asthenospheric
mantle: Perspectives from laboratory dissolution experiments. AGU Fall Meeting, V23D-03.
Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Hess P., 2013. An experimental study of REE and other trace element
partitioning between augite and Fe-rich basalts: A parameterized model for planetary applications.
Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, XLIV, #1582.
Dygert, N., Meyers, C., Hirth, G., Liang, Y., 2013. Weakness of ilmenite revealed by new
rheological measurements with implications for lunar cumulate mantle overturn. Lunar and Planetary
Science Conference, XLIV, #1591.
Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Hess, P., 2012. The effect of melt TiO2 on Fe-Ti oxide-picritic basalt HFSE
partitioning: parameterized models, lunar applications. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference,
XLIII, #2033.
Dygert, N., Liang, Y., Kelemen, P., 2011. Trace element abundances in pyroxenes from a duniteharzburgite-lherzolite sequence at the Trinity ophiolite: Evidence for multiple episodes of melt
migration and melt-rock reaction. AGU Fall Meeting, V31-D2557.
Dygert, N. and Liang, Y., 2011. Experimental evidence for high field strength incompatibility in
titaniferous phases in equilibrium with high titanium mare basalts and picritic glass melts. Lunar and
Planetary Science Conference, XLII, #1956.
Dygert, N. and Liang, Y., 2010. Compaction driven melt localization in dunites and associated rocks in
the mantle: Field observations and numerical experiments. AGU Fall Meeting, T23A-2229.
Yao, L., Dygert, N., Peterson, M., Sun, C., Wetzel, D., Liang, Y., 2010. “A bundle of columns” model
for trace element fractionation during melting and melt migration in a vertically upwelling, chemically
and lithologically heterogeneous mantle. AGU Fall Meeting, V11A-2258.
Fellowships, Honors and Awards
Jackson Postdoctoral Fellowship, University of Texas at Austin
Dissertation Fellowship, Brown University Geological Sciences
Graduate Fellowship, Rhode Island Space Grant
Sigma Xi
Admirable Apexian (nominated)
McNair Fellowship, Florida International University
B.S. awarded with High Distinction and High Honors in Research
Sigma Gamma Epsilon
Dean’s List 7/8 eligible semesters, University of Rochester
2014
Spring 2014
September 2012-August 2013
May 2012
December 2008
Summer 2007
May 2007
May 2007
2003-2007
Research and Instrumentation Experience
Piston cylinder apparatus
Griggs apparatus
LA-ICP-MS
Electron microprobe
FTIR
Thin section preparation
Petrography and photomicrography
Cathodoluminescence imaging
MATLAB
COMSOL finite element package
Melts, MAGFOX
Theriak-Domino
Isoplot
Adobe Suite
Hydrogeology & field methods
Rotary and direct-push drilling
Invited Talks
6th International Lherzolite Conference, Marrakech
Cooling rates recorded in REE in coexisting pyroxenes in peridotites from
ophiolites and mid-ocean ridges
Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington
Unraveling lunar evolution using geochemical, rheologic, and
isotopic constraints (remote presentation)
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Temperatures, cooling rates, and melt migration dynamics revealed by trace
element distributions in mantle peridotites
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Fe-Ti oxide and Fe-rich augite trace element partitioning with lunar
and martian applications
44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
REE and other trace element partitioning between augite and Fe-rich basalts: a
parameterized model for planetary applications
42rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference
Experimental evidence for HFSE incompatibility in titaniferous phases in
equilibrium with high-Ti mare basalt
May 2014
February 2014
November 2013
May 2013
March 2013
March 2011
Professional and Field Experience
CRUML Anorthosite belt, Charlevoix impact crater
August 2011
Trinity and Josephine ophiolites
September 2009
Environmental Scientist, Apex Companies
August 2008-July 2009
Field Geologist, McPhail Associates Geotechnical Consultants
January-July 2008
IAESTE Intern, Manipal Institute of Technology, Karnataka, India
September-November 2007
McNair Fellow, Florida Center for Analytical Electron Microscopy
June-August 2007
Independently planned and conducted successful field campaign, Bolivia
July 2006
Field Assistant to Dr. Carmala Garzione, Bolivia
May-July 2005
Teaching Experience
Teaching Assistant, Mineralogy, Brown University
Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning: Certificate I, Reflective Teaching
Teaching Assistant, Structural Geology, Brown University
Teaching Assistant, Introductory Geology, Brown University
Teaching Assistant, Historical Geology, University of Rochester
Fall 2014
Spring 2014
Spring 2012
Spring 2010
Spring 2007
Service
Reviewer for Earth and Planetary Science Letters
Interim Electron Microprobe Manager, Brown University
Organizer and leader of Brown graduate student field trip (Quebec)
Organizer of Brown University Geochemistry Seminar
Fall 2010-Spring 2012
August 2011
Spring 2011
Professional Affiliations
American Geophysical Union
Mineralogical Society of America
Student Mentoring
Reed Mershon (undergraduate)
Pamela Speciale (graduate student)
Summer 2013
Summer 2014
Languages
Proficient in written and spoken Spanish
Basic written and spoken Russian
Extracurricular Activities and Community Service
Community Boating Center, Providence RI
2014
Fox Point Community Garden
2010-2014
Volunteer, International Rescue Committee
March 2008-May 2009
Avid hiker and alpinist
Independent travel in much of Latin America, Karnataka and the Indian Himalaya,
Morocco, the Maritime Provinces, New England, Alaska, and the Pacific Northwest

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