David A. Williams
Associate Research Professor
School of Earth & Space Exploration
Arizona State University
Address:
Bateman Physical Sciences F506B
550 E. Tyler Mall
Box 871404
Tempe, Arizona 85287-1404
Phone: (480) 965-7029
FAX: (480) 965-8960
Email: David.Williams@asu.edu
SESE Website: http://sese.asu.edu
My Faculty Website: http://sese.asu.edu/people/david-williams
My Personal Website: http://europa.la.asu.edu/david_williams
My Biography: Download Here
My Publications: http://europa.la.asu.edu/david_williams/papers.html
My Education
Ph.D. in Geology, 1998, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Dissertation: Analytical/Numerical Modeling of the Emplacement and Erosional Potential of Archean and Proterozoic Komatiitic Lava Flows. Advisor: Dr. C. Michael Lesher (now at Laurentian University, Sudbury)
M.S. in Geology, 1992, Arizona State University, Tempe, Aizona
Thesis: Multispectral Studies of Selected Crater- and Basin-Filling Lunar Maria from Galileo Earth-Moon Encounter 1. Advisor: Dr. Ronald Greeley (deceased)
B.S. in Astronomy and Astrophysics, 1989, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana
Minors: Mathematics, Geology
My Professional Positions
Associate Research Professor, School of Earth & Space Exploration: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; July 2012-Present.
U.S. Co-Investigator, ESA Mars Express Mission; Participating Scientist, NASA Dawn Mission to Vesta.
Director, The Ronald Greeley Center for Planetary Studies, School of Earth & Space Exploration: Arizona State University, Tempe,
AZ; March 2012-Present. NASA Planetary Regional Image Facility (RPIF) at Arizona State University (ASU).
Principal Investigator, The Planetary Aeolian Laboratory, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, California, (administered by
ASU), March 2012-Present.
Member of the Graduate Faculty (Geological Sciences), School of Earth & Space Exploration: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ;
May 2010-Present.
Faculty Research Associate, School of Earth & Space Exploration (formerly Department of Geological Sciences): Arizona State
University, Tempe, AZ; August 2003-June 2012. U.S. Co-Investigator, ESA Mars Express Mission; Participating Scientist, NASA Dawn Mission to Vesta.
Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; August 2001-May 2002.
Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Geological Sciences: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; August 1998-July
2003. Associate, Solid State Imaging Team, NASA Galileo Mission at Jupiter.
Graduate Council Research Fellow/Graduate Research Assistant/Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Geology: University
of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL; August 1994-August 1998.
Graduate Research/Teaching Associate, Department of Geology: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; August 1989-August 1994.
Summer Research Assistant, Sacramento Peak Solar Observatory: National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Sunspot, New Mexico;
Summer 1987.
My Research Grants Received
Principal Investigator: Modeling Erosion by Flowing Lava on the Moon, Mars, and Earth, NASA Planetary Geology & Geophysics
Program; 2012-2016; with Co-Investigators Laszlo Keszthelyi and Brent Garry. Total Costs: $470,000.
Principal Investigator: Identification, Analysis, and Mapping of Putative Igneous Deposits on Asteroid 4 Vesta, NASA Dawn at
Vesta Participating Scientists Program; 2010-2013. Total Costs: $260,000.
Principal Investigator: Geologic Mapping of Arsia & Pavonis Montes, Mars, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program; 2010-2014; with
Co-Investigators Jacob Bleacher and W. Brent Garry. Total Costs: $425,539.
Principal Investigator: Geologic Mapping of Olympus Mons, Mars, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program; 2009-2012; with
Co-Investigator Jacob Bleacher. Total Costs: $272,463.
Principal Investigator: Aeolian Patterns and Deposits Related to Small Craters (PI change from Ronald Greeley), NASA
Planetary Geology & Geophysics Program; 2010-2013. Total Costs: $410,022.
Principal Investigator: HRSC: Co-Investigation on ESA Mars Express Mission (PI change from Ronald Greeley) , NASA Mars
Exploration Program, contract with JPL; 2012. Total Costs: $86,000.
Principal Investigator: Global Geologic Mapping of Io, Phase II: Database Construction and Regional Mapping, NASA Outer
Planets Research Program; 2008-2011; with Co-Investigator Julie Rathbun. Total Costs: $384,655.
Principal Investigator: Worlds of Fire: A Hands-On/Minds-On Investigation of Active Volcanism on Earth and Io, NASA
Education-Public Outreach Program; 2006-2009; with E/PO Lead Steven Kadel. Total Costs: $43,197.
Principal Investigator: Global Geologic Mapping of Io, NASA Outer Planets Research Program; 2005-2009; with Co-Investigators
Laszlo Keszthelyi and David Crown. Total Costs: $243,849.
My Mission Activities
Co-Investigator, ESA Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera Team, Co-Investigator (replacing the late Ron Greeley) of the
Mars Express HRSC team with responsibilities for planning, processing, and analyzing images of the martian surface, February 2012-present.
Participating Scientist, NASA Dawn Mission to asteroid 4 Vesta, Member of the Dawn Science Team with responsibilities for analysis
of volcanic features & mapping of the vestan surface, Sept 2010-present.
Associate Investigator, ESA Mars Express High Resolution Stereo Camera Team, Associate member of the Mars Express
HRSC team with responsibilities for planning, processing, with responsibilities tosupport planning for Jupiter flyby in February 2007. for planning, processing, andanalyzing images of the martian south pole (mission failed on landing), January 1999-December 1999. responsibilities for planning, processing,and analyzing images of the Galilean satellites, August 1998-September 2003. Geophysics Program, 1999-2001. with responsibilities for planning, processing, and analyzing images of the Moon during the Earth-Moon flybys, January 1991-August 1993. with responsibilities for analyzing images of Venus in search of wind streaks, 1991-1992. Texas, March 2010. Co-organizer of conference session T91: “Eruptive Deposits as Keys to Understanding Volcanic Systems on Planetary Bodies”. Planetary Science Conference, Houston, Texas, March 2009. Co-organizer of conference session P02: “Recent Advances in Planetary Volcanism”. Co-organizer of conference session T106: “Current Research Issues in Lunar Stratigraphy”. Texas, March 2008. Member of NASA peer review panel. Denver, Colorado, October 2007. Member of NASA peer review panel. Houston, Texas, March 2007. Member of NASA peer review panel. Houston, Texas, March 2006. Houston, Texas, March 2005. Member of NASA peer review panel. Member of NASA peer review panel. Member of NASA peer review panel. Co-organizer of conference session on “Ultramafic Volcanism: From Earth’s Archean to Io’s Present”. and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI), 1993-1998 University, in progress. Arizona State University, July, 2012. M.S. thesis, Arizona State University, May, 2008. Analyses and Lava Flow Mapping, Ph.D. dissertation, Arizona State University, December, 2006. Latest Results from NASA Mars Exploration Rover and ESA Mars Express. Hot Ultramafics to Cold Sulfur and Beyond. High-Temperature Ultrabasic Eruptions on Jupiter’s Moon Io: Latest Results from the Galileo Mission and Assessment of Eruption Styles. Public presentation on NASA-ESA Europa-Jupiter System Mission (EJSM). titled Water, Ice or Methane Everywhere: Recent Results from NASA’s Planetary Missions. public lectures on the Water, Ice or Methane Everywhere: Recent Results from NASA’s Planetary Missions and Red Planet: Insights into the Geology of Mars from Recent Missions. Recent Results from NASA’s Planetary Missions. results from NASA Solar System Exploration Program. Public presentation on recent results from NASA Mars Exploration Program. public lectures on the History of Robotic Exploration of the Solar System and Insights into Mars Exploration from Recent Missions. public lectures on the History of Robotic Exploration of the Solar System and NASA Space Science Update, including Mars Express, MER, Cassini-Huygens, Stardust, and MRO-MOI. Laboratory and results from NASA Mars Exploration Rover and ESA Mars Express. Missions and recent results to members of the Science Fiction Writer’s Association. Apollo Missions prior to educator screening of the IMAX movie Magnificent Desolation. Public lecture on NASA Space Science Update, including Mars Express, MER, Cassini-Huygens, Deep Impact, and MRO launch. Park, AZ; July 2004. Two public presentation on the latest results from Mars Express and Cassini at Saturn. results from NASA Mars Exploration Rover and ESA Mars Express. Mars Exploration Rover and ESA Mars Express as part of National Space Day activities. on the initial results from NASA Mars Exploration Rover and ESA Mars Express. from NASA Mars Exploration Rover and ESA Mars Express as part of Mars Day activities. presentation on the initial results from NASA Mars Exploration Rover and ESA Mars Express. Glendale Community College, May 16-17, 2009: Part of Io-Earth Volcanism E/PO Project. Glendale Community College, October 25-26, 2008: Part of Io-Earth Volcanism E/PO Project. display of latest press releases from various missions, including MER and Mars Express. to Galileo: A NASA Mission Celebration, Public Lectures by Galileo SSI Team members and charity fund-raiser. students, Spring 2011. Summer 2007. students, Spring 2007. Canyon University, Fall 2006. Summer 2006. students, Fall 2004 – Fall 2005. students, Spring 2002. Arizona Community College System. Arizona State University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2011. University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2011. University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2011. University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2010. University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2010. University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Spring 2010. Arizona State University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Spring 2010. University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2009. University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2009. State University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2008. University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2008. \ University, 6 undergraduate and graduate students, Spring 2008. State University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2007. University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2007. University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2006. University, ~2 undergraduate students, Fall 2006. and graduate students, Fall 2006. University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2006. State University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2005. State University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2005. undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2004. State University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2002. State University, ~15 undergraduate and graduate students, Fall 2002.Affiliate Member, NASA New Horizons Jupiter Encounter Sequencing Team (JEST), Unfunded member of the New Horizons JEST
Associate Member, NASA Mars Polar Lander Imaging Team, Associate member of the MPL camera team with responsibilities
Associate Member, NASA Galileo Solid State Imaging Team, Associate member of the Galileo camera team with
Collaborator: Investigation of Extreme Temperature Volcanism on Io, with PI Laszlo Keszthelyi, NASA Planetary Geology &
Student Assistant, NASA Galileo Solid State Imaging Team, Graduate student assistant of the Galileo camera team
Student Assistant, NASA Magellan Radar Imaging Team, Graduate student assistant of the Magellan radar imaging team
My Professional Service
Member, NASA Planetary Geology & Geophysics Geologic Mapping Subcommittee (GEMS), March 2012-Present
Steering Committee Member, NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG), March 2008-Present
Chair, Pellas-Ryder Best Student Paper Award Committee, January 2011-March 2012
Chair, 2012 GSA Planetary Geology Division G.K. Gilbert Award Committee, November 2011-February 2012
Chair, Planetary Geology Division, Geological Society of America, November 2010-November 2011
Co-Editor, GSA Special Publication, “Recent Advances in Lunar Stratigraphy”, Fall 2009-Winter 2011
First Vice Chair, Planetary Geology Division, Geological Society of America, October 2009-November 2010
Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Geoscience Student Presentation Judge, 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston,
Member, Pellas-Ryder Best Student Paper Award Committee, January 2010-December 2010.
External Proposal Reviewer, NASA Postdoctoral Program, December 2009.
Session Co-convener, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, October 2009.
External Proposal Reviewer, NASA Postdoctoral Program, August 2009.
Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Geoscience Student Presentation Chief Judge and Judging Organizer, 40th Lunar and
External Proposal Reviewer, NASA Postdoctoral Program, February 2009.
Program Committee Member, 40th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, Houston, Texas, January 2009.
Session Co-convener, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 2008.
External Proposal Reviewer, Mars Fundamental Research Program, October 2008.
Second Vice Chair, Planetary Geology Division, Geological Society of America, Oct. 2008-Oct. 2009
Session Co-convener, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, October 2008.
Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Geoscience Student Presentation Judge, 39th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston,
Discovery and Scout Mission Capabilities Expansion Program Review Panel, 2008.
External Proposal Reviewer, NASA Postdoctoral Program, December 2007.
Session Co-Chair, Pardee Keynote Symposium: New Eyes and Ears at Mars, Geological Society of America Annual Meeting,
External Proposal Reviewer, Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program, August 2007.
Mars Data Analysis Program Review Panel, 2007.
Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Geoscience Student Presentation Judge, 38th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference,
Member, NASA Jovian System Observer Mission Study Science Definition Team (SDT), 2007.
Program Committee Member, 38th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, Houston, Texas, January 2007.
Secretary-Treasurer, Planetary Geology Division, Geological Society of America, Oct. 2006 – Sept. 2008
External Proposal Reviewer, MESSENGER Participating Scientist Program, October 2006.
Cassini Data Analysis Program Review Panel, 2006.
External Proposal Reviewer, Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program, August 2006.
Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Geoscience Student Presentation Judge, 37th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference,
Program Committee Member, 37th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference, Houston, Texas, January 2006.
External Proposal Reviewer, Outer Planets Research Program, August 2005.
External Proposal Reviewer, Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program, August 2005.
Session Co-Chair, Mars Express and HRSC I, 36th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston, Texas, March 2005.
Stephen E. Dwornik Planetary Geoscience Student Presentation Judge, 36th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference,
Planetary Geology and Geophysics Review Panel, 2004.
Mars Data Analysis Program Review Panel, 2004.
Mars Fundamental Research Review Panel, 2003.
Session Co-convener, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 1999.
Steering Committee Member, Commission on Large-Volume Basaltic Provinces, International Association of Volcanology
My Students
Ph.D. Supervisory Committee Member, Melissa Bunte, Geological Studies of Europa and Io, Ph.D. dissertation, Arizona State
M.S. Supervisory Committee Co-chair, Leon Manfredi, The Volcanic History of the Tempe Volcanic Province, Mars, M.S. thesis,
M.S. Supervisory Committee Member, Melissa Bunte, Volcano-Tectonic Interactions on Io: The Zal, Hi’iaka, and Shamshu Regions,
Ph.D. Supervisory Committee Member, Jacob E. Bleacher, Characterization of Shield Volcanoes on Earth and Mars from Slope
My Professional Affiliations
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 1998-present.
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI), 1996-present.
American Geophysical Union (AGU), 1993-present.
Geological Society of America (GSA), Cordillera Section and Planetary Geology Division, 1991-present.
American Astronomical Society, Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS), 1992-present.
The Planetary Society, 1985-present.
National Space Society (NSS), 1996-present.
The Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon (SGE) (Earth Science Honorary), 1990-1998.
Alpha Epsilon Lambda (AEL), (Graduate & Professional Student Honorary), 1998.
My Honors and Awards
10-Year Service Award, School of Earth & Space Exploration, Arizona State University, August 2008.
5-Year Service Award, Department of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, August 2003.
Promotion to Faculty Research Associate, Department of Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, 2002.
Award for Excellence in Research by a Doctoral Student, Graduate School, University of Alabama, 1997-1998
Award for Excellence in Research by a Doctoral Student, College of Arts & Sciences, University of Alabama, 1997-1998.
Outstanding Research Award, Graduate Research Exposition, University of Alabama, April 1998.
Outstanding Research by a Doctoral Student, Department of Geology, University of Alabama, 1998.
Outstanding Research by a Doctoral Student, Department of Geology, University of Alabama, 1996.
Invited Scientific Presentations
Sudbury Geological Discussion Group, Laurentian University, Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, June 2004:
Io Workshop, University of California, Berkeley, February 2003: Volcanic Eruptions on Io: From
Geological Society of America of America Conference, 2002 Annual Meeting, Denver, CO, October 2002:
Selected Public Lectures
Phoenix Astronomical Society, Paradise Valley Community College, Paradise Valley, AZ; December 2010.
East Valley Astronomy Club (EVAC), Gilbert Public Library, Gilbert, AZ; August 2009. Public lecture
Creation Star Trek Convention, Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV; August 2009. Two
Arizona Science Center, Phoenix, AZ; May 2009. Public presentation, Water, Ice or Methane Everywhere:
STEM Club, Glendale Community College, Glendale, AZ; February 2009. Public presentation on recent
Phoenix Astronomical Society, Paradise Valley Community College, Paradise Valley, AZ; December 2008.
Creation Star Trek Convention, Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV; August 2007. Two
Creation Star Trek Convention, Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV; August 2006. Two
Leisure World Lion’s Club, Mesa, AZ; May 23, 2006. Oral presentation on the ASU Space Photography
2006 Nebula Awards Weekend, Tempe, AZ; May 2006. Oral presentation on active NASA Space Science
Arizona Mills IMAX Theater, Tempe, AZ; October 2005. Educational display and presentation on NASA
Creation Star Trek Convention, Las Vegas Hilton Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV; August 2005.
Western Regional Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention (WesterCon 57), Wigwam Resort, Litchfield
Boys & Girls Club of Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ; May 2004. Public presentation on the latest
Challenger Space Science Center, Peoria, AZ; May 2004. Public presentation on the results from NASA
Phoenix Arcadia Rotary Club, Mountain Shadows Resort, Scottsdale, AZ; April 2004. Public presentation
Challenger Space Science Center, Peoria, AZ; January 2004. Public presentation on the initial results
East Valley Astronomy Club (EVAC), Scottsdale Community College, Scottsdale, AZ; January 2004. Public
My Educational and Community Work
Lecturer, “The Geology of Io” and Field Trip Co-Leader, “Volcanoes of Northern Arizona” Field Trip,
Lecturer, “The Geology of Io” and Field Trip Co-Leader, “Volcanoes of Northern Arizona” Field Trip,
Organizer, Space Science Display, Challenger Space Science Center, Peoria, AZ, 2004-2005: Photographic
Organizer, Special E/PO Event, Challenger Space Science Center, Peoria, AZ, September 20, 2003: Farewell
My Courses Taught and Curriculum Development
Special Topics: Planetary Volcanology (3 cr), Arizona State University, 10 undergraduate and graduate
Developed lecture materials for 8-module, 3 cr Scientific Communication course, Grand Canyon University,
Special Topics: Planetary Volcanology (3 cr), Arizona State University, 14 undergraduate and graduate
Developed lecture and laboratory materials for 8-module, 3 cr Introduction to Astronomy course, Grand
Developed lecture materials for 8-module, 3 cr Introduction to Geology course, Grand Canyon University,
Co-organizer, Volcanology Seminar (1 cr), Arizona State University, ~10 undergraduate and graduate
Special Topics: Planetary Volcanology (3 cr), Arizona State University, 14 undergraduate and graduate
Physical Geology 101 (3 cr), Arizona State University, ~230 undergraduate students, Fall 2001.
Lifetime Certified Instructor (Astronomy, Chemistry, Geology, Mathematics), State of
My Guest Lectures
Guest Lecturer: Asteroids and NASA Dawn Mission to Vesta, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr),
Guest Lecturer: Outer Planet Satellites, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Terrestrial Planets, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Outer Planet Satellites, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Terrestrial Planets, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: The Geology of Io, Geology of the Outer Planet Satellites (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Overview of the Outer Planet Satellites, Geology of the Outer Planet Satellites (3 cr),
Guest Lecturer: Outer Planet Satellites, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Terrestrial Planets, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Outer Planet Satellites, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona
Guest Lecturer: Terrestrial Planets, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Lava Flow Emplacement, Advanced Physical Volcanology (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Outer Planet Satellites, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona
Guest Lecturer: Terrestrial Planets, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Outer Planet Satellites, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Writing Scientific Papers & Proposals, Scientific Communication (3 cr), Grand Canyon
Guest Lecturer: Planetary Volcanism, Volcanology (3 cr), Arizona State University, ~15 undergraduate
Guest Lecturer: Terrestrial Planets, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona State
Guest Lecturer: Outer Planet Satellites, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona
Guest Lecturer: Terrestrial Planets, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona
Guest Lecturer: Planetary Volcanism, Volcanology (3 cr), Arizona State University, ~15
Guest Lecturer: Impact Cratering, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona
Guest Lecturer: Moon and Asteroids, Fundamentals of Planetary Geoscience (3 cr), Arizona