Mr Mark R Boyd

Summary

I am a NERC-funded PhD student in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering, under the supervision of Dr Matthew Genge. My research focuses on both extra-terrestrial and terrestrial microspherules in the geologic record and their application to palaeoenvironment and palaeoclimate studies.

To understand these samples, I use electron microscopy and microanalysis techniques, including experience with atom probe tomography. My broader research interests include planetary science and cosmochemistry.

I am a student with the Science and Solutions for a Changing Planet (SSCP) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), within the Grantham Institute.

Education

• PhD, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London (2021-)
• MS, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Alabama (2019-21)
• BSc, Natural Sciences (Earth Science and Chemistry), Durham University (2016-19)

Publications

• Boyd M.R., Cartwright J.A., Singh J., Bagot P.A.J., Bays C.L., Chan Q.H.S., Genge M.J., Moody M.P. (2023) Multiscale evidence for weathering and the preservation of carbonaceous material in an Antarctic micrometeorite. Geochim. Cosmochim. Acta 360: 259-275.

Abstracts

• Boyd M.R. & Genge M.J. (2023) Microspherules as Proxies for Lightning Strikes. 86th MetSoc. Poster #6214.
• Boyd M.R., Genge M.J., Tomkins A.G., Holtmann R. (2022) Lightning Strike Samples from the Pilbara, Australia: Criteria for Identifying Lightningogenic Spherules. 85th MetSoc. Poster #6224.
• Boyd M.R., Cartwright J.A., Singh J., Bagot P.A.J., Moody M.P. (2021) Nanoscale Chemical Heterogeneity in an Antarctic Micrometeorite Revealed by Atom Probe Tomography. 84th MetSoc. Poster #6278.
• Boyd M.R., Cartwright J.A., Singh J. Bagot P.A.J., Moody M.P. (2021) Investigating the Effects of Atmospheric Entry on Cosmic Dust Using Atom Probe Tomography. 70th Southeastern GSA. Talk #1-8.
• Boyd M.R., Cartwright J.A., Singh J. Bagot P.A.J., Moody M.P. (2021) Nanoscale Compositional Analysis of an Antarctic Micrometeorite Using Atom Probe Tomography. LPSC 52. Poster #2449.
• Boyd M.R. & Cartwright J.A. (2020) Compositional and Textural Diversity in Cosmic Dust: Investigating Micrometeorites from Cap Prud'homme, Antarctica. 52nd DPS, AAS. Poster #511.07.
• Boyd M.R. & Cartwright J.A. (2020) Searching for Evidence of Atmospheric Entry Heating in a Collection of Antarctic Micrometeorites. GSA 2020. Poster #141-9.

OUTREACH

I am committed to outreach and science communication activities, related to both planetary science and climate change topics.

• If you would like to find out more about my research, resources for 11-14 year olds are available here, through Imperial's Stem in Action programme.
• As a co-founder, I have been involved in the Music of the Earth project in association with Imperial's Grantham Institute, exploring the intersection between music and climate change.
• I am a co-host on The Core of Everything podcast, discussing the basics of geology and how the science of the Earth fits into every day life.
• I appeared as a panelist for the Maths in Space session of Mars Day 2023, organised by ESERO-UK, UKSA and ESA (available to watch here).
• I am also involved in the delivery of Imperial Outreach's mobile planetarium shows.

Please email me if you are interested in discussing these resources further.