• Position: Laboratory Researcher II, Electron Microprobe Lab Manager
  • Phone: 848-445-3436
  • Office: Wright Labs Room 334
  • Research Interests: Electron probe microanalysis, Planetary Science

Education

  • 2000 A. Earth Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA
  • 2005 S. Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM

Paul Burger is the Electron Microprobe Lab Manager in E&PS. His professional interests focus on the analysis of a variety of materials using microprobe techniques. On a typical day, you might find Paul collecting quantitative chemical data on a Martian meteorite,  setting up compositional maps of primate teeth, experimenting with novel analytical conditions for a new material science study, or leading a tour of the lab facility. Paul is also interested in the development of computer programs and macros to increase the efficiency and quality of data collection. While his background is in Planetary Geology, Paul enjoys helping students and researchers from diverse backgrounds achieve their analytical ambitions.

Select Publications

Bell, A.S., Burger, P.V., Shearer, C.K. (2017) Cr K-Edge XANES anisotropy and olivine orientation: Developing a technique for the assessment of the oxidation state of planetary magmatism on the Angrite parent body. American Mineralogist, in press.

Papike, J.J., Burger, P.V., Bell, A.S., and Shearer, C.K. (2017) Mn- Fe systematics in major planetary body reservoirs in the Solar System and the positioning of the Angrite Parent body: A crystal chemical perspective. American Mineralogist, in press.

Papike, J.J., Burger, P.V., Bell, A.S., Shearer, C.K., Le, L., and Jones, J. (2015) Normal to inverse transition in martian spinel: Understanding the interplay between chromium, vanadium, and iron valence state partitioning through a crystal-chemical lens. American Mineralogist, 100, 2018-2025.

Bell, A.S., Burger, P.V., Le, L., Shearer, C.K., Papike, J.J., Sutton, S.R., Newville, M., and Jones, J. (2014) XANES measurements of Cr valence in olivine and their applications to planetary basalts. American Mineralogist, 99, 1404-1412.

Papike, J.J., Burger, P.V., Bell, A.S., Shearer, C.K., Le, L., Jones, J., and Provencio, P. (2014) Valence state partitioning of V between pyroxene and melt for martian melt compositions Y 980459 and QUE 94201: The effect of pyroxene composition and crystal structure. American Mineralogist, 99, 1175-1178.

Shearer, C.K., Aaron, P.M., Burger, P.V., Guan, Y., Bell, A.S., and Papike, J.J. (2013) Petrogenetic linkages among fO2, isotopic enrichments-depletions and crystallization history in martian basalts. Evidence from the distribution of phosphorus in olivine megacrysts. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 120, 17-38.

Papike J.J., Burger P.V., Shearer C.K., Sutton S.R., Newville M., Choi Y., and Lanzirotti A. (2011) Sulfides from martian and lunar basalts: Comparative chemistry for Ni, Co, Cu, and Se. American Mineralogist 96, 932-935.

Shearer C.K.,  Burger P.V.,  Neal C.,  Sharp Z.,  Spivak-Birndorf L., Borg L.,  Fernandes V.A., Papike J.J., Karner J., Wadhwa M., Gaffney A., Shafer J.,  Geissman J., Atudorei N-V., Herd C., Weiss B.P., King P.L., Crowther S.A., and Gilmour J.D. (2010) Non-basaltic asteroidal melting during the earliest stages of solar system evolution. A view from Antarctic achondrites Graves Nunatak 06128 and 06129. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 74, 1179-1199.

Burger P.V., Papike J.J., Shearer C.K., Karner J.M. (2009) Jarosite growth zoning as a recorder of fluid evolution. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73, 3248-3259.

Papike J.J., Karner J.M., Shearer C.K. and Burger P.V. (2009) Silicate mineralogy of the martian meteorites. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 73, 7443-7485.

Shearer C.K., Burger P.V., Neal C.R., Sharp Z., Borg L.E., Spivak-Birndorf L., et al. (2008). A unique glimpse into asteroidal melting processes in the early solar system from the graves nunatak 06128/06129 achondrites. American Mineralogist, 93, 1937-1940.

Shearer C.K., Burger P.V., Papike J.J., Borg L.E., Irving A.J., and Herd C. (2008b) Petrogenetic linkages among martian basalts. Implications based on trace element chemistry of olivine. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 43, 1241-1258.

Papike J.J., Burger P.V., Karner J.M., Shearer C.K., Lueth V.W.  (2007)  Terrestrial analogs of martian jarosites: Major, minor element systematics and Na-K zoning in selected samples. American Mineralogist, 92, 444-447.