Written by Lauren Rowe - August 17, 2020
Dr. Michael Sori (Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology) and Dr. Ali Bramson (Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences, University of Arizona) are Postdoctoral Scholars in the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (LPL) at the University of Arizona. Both have recently accepted positions as Assistant Professors in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at Purdue University. Currently, under the training of Dr. Hamilton and Dr. Byrne, Dr. Sori contributes to the study of Mars and the Moon while also being involved in several NASA missions. Working with Dr. Carter, Dr. Bramson researches lava flows on the Moon with instruments onboard NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter spacecraft.
In Fall 2020 in the EAPS Department at Purdue University, Dr. Sori and Dr. Bramson will be teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in planetary geology while expanding their current research. Dr. Sori explained that his experience at the University of Arizona, including working with students in lab groups and supporting their thesis projects, has prepared him for the next step as an Assistant Professor.
Likewise, Dr. Bramson shared that through the LPL at the University of Arizona she got involved in active NASA spacecraft missions, which were crucial for her scientific interests, and led to great professional and academic opportunities. Dr. Bramson is particularly excited about the interdisciplinary EAPS Department where she will collaborate with scientists who use similar techniques, but also engage in other problems different from her training.
Outside of her research Bramson plays competitive ultimate frisbee. She recognizes the importance of having hobbies as a reminder of the benefits of teamwork and for overall mental health. Sori likes to travel and recently visited his 50th state. Together they have been on mission to prepare meals from all the countries of the world; so far they have made meals from 94 countries! They enjoy hiking with their dog at the Catalina State Park and Mount Lemmon and being part of the Tucson community. We congratulate and wish them the best as they start their positions as Assistant Professors at Purdue University.