https://www.joeypasterski.com/home daily 1.0 2023-11-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a4393c5835c558c1e4916f/8c9f99a5-0b88-4935-afe2-11109741f9c6/IMG_3654.jpg https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a4393c5835c558c1e4916f/cca1cf58-b86c-4f2b-b6d0-63a605d23ae4/Intro+to+MSI_Website.jpg Joey Pasterski - MS Imaging For my PhD, I prepared uncovered thick sections for Mass Spectrometry imaging. MS imaging was performed using femtosecond – laser desorption postionization – mass spectrometry (fs-LDPI-MS, a prototype instrument in the laboratory of Prof. Luke Hanley at UIC) as well as Time of Flight – Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) at the Center for Nanophase Material Sciences within the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Using MS imaging datasets, we were able to determine the spatial distribution of organic molecular biosignatures (signs of life held within the rock). Similar techniques could (Should? Yes.) be performed on samples returned from Mars in order to determine if any observed organics originate from Mars, or if they may have been introduced later in the rocks history (e.g. meteoritic or contamination). We were able to collect so much MS imaging data (over 2 TB!) that we were able to build machine learning (ML) models capable of recognizing biomarkers in these geologic samples (publication coming soon). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a4393c5835c558c1e4916f/e9cf0e51-e59d-480d-af55-1f1dd3a33568/Lake+Vida+Sand.jpg Joey Pasterski - Other Relevant Experience I am skilled at petrography, statistical data analysis, using imaging software (the Adobe suite), programming (R and Python), and using these tools to combine and interpret data sets collected on multiple instruments. I am skilled at traditional organic geochemistry including sample preparation, fraction separation, analysis via gas chromatography – mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and data interpretation. I am trained at Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). This selected image is from my first research project of analyzing the composition of sand collected from Lake Vida, Antarctica. While I now primarily use mass spectrometry techniques, petrographic microscopes will always have a place in my heart. Please pay attention in geology courses. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61a4393c5835c558c1e4916f/d871d155-634b-40be-bdf7-d89d0c712ea3/IMG_6895.jpg Joey Pasterski - Scientific Ethos I work to discover truth, not to be correct. (The picture of my dog is for fun and is not related to the statement above.) https://www.joeypasterski.com/donate daily 0.75 2025-05-13