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Aurora Pun
Ph.D., University of New Mexico, 1996. (Adjunct Assistant Professor)
Office: Northrop Hall Rm. 223C, 277-5629. Email: apun@unm.edu
Research and Academic Interests:
My research interests include meteorite geochemistry with an emphasis on planetary
igneous systems. This involves examining the interactions between major-, minor-
and trace-elements between mineral phases to elucidate the possible origins
of these rocks. My interests also covers terrestrial rocks, such as those of
banded iron formation and their possible link to large hematite deposits found
on Mars. Another aspect of my research involves science education, how students
learn from their textbooks and how students learn in their classroom environment.
Listing of Recent Publications:
- Pun, Aurora, Papike, J.J., and Shearer, C.K, (2002) Trace-element analysis
of carbonate minerals in the Gunflint banded iron formation. Lunar Planetary
Sci. Conf. XXXIII, abstract #1357.
- Smith, G.A.and Pun, Aurora (2001) Textbook and lecture tools for promoting
learning in physical geology. Geological Society of America Abstracts with
Programs, v. 33, no. 6, p. A-63
- Smith, G.A., Pun, Aurora, and Castrounis, A. (2001) Learning geology in
the field - Old mountain belts to young volcanoes near Albuquerque. Guidebook
for 2001 Rocky Mountain-South Central Geological Society of America Meeting,
37 p.
- Selverstone J., Pun A., and Condie, K.C. (1999) Xenolithic evidence for
Proterozoic crustal evolution beneath the Colorado Plateau. GSA Bulletin,
111, no. 4, 590-606.
- Pun A., Keil K., Taylor G.J., and Wieler R. (1998) Kapoeta: Implications
for the regolith evolution of the HED parent body. Meteoritics & Planetary
Science, 33, 835-851.
- Pun A., Papike J.J., and Layne, G.D. (1997) Subsolidus REE partitioning
between pyroxene and plagioclase in cumulate eucrites: An ion-microprobe investigation.
Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, 61, 5089-5097.
- Pun A. and Papike J.J. (1995) Ion microprobe investigation of exsolved pyroxenes
in cumulate eucrites: Determination of minor and trace-element partition coefficients.
Geochim. et Cosmochim. Acta, 59, 2279-2289.
Teaching:
EPS 101: "How the Earth Works" Fall 2002 (WebCT
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