Welcome Assistant Professor Catherine Neish
The Department of Earth Sciences is pleased to welcome our newest faculty member, Dr. Catherine Neish, who is appointed to the position of Assistant Professor effective July 1, 2015. Dr. Neish completed her Ph.D. at the University of Arizona in 2008 and had been working as an Assistant Professor since 2013 at the Florida Institute of Technology.
Dr. Neish's research interests focus on the use of orbital radar observations to study the geology of planetary surfaces, with a particular focus on processes related to impact cratering. Radar represents the best way to observe the surface of planets with large opaque atmospheres, such as Venus and Saturn’s moon Titan, leading to a better understanding of their surface morphology. It also provides a wealth of information about the physical properties of the surface being imaged, revealing features not easily seen with optical data alone.
To pursue her interest in planetary radar, she is involved in several spacecraft missions. She is currently a member of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter’s (LRO) Mini-RF science team, and an associate member of the Cassini RADAR team, which continues to provide the highest resolution views of Titan’s surface.
A native of British Columbia, Catherine Neish is pleased to be returning to Canada to continue her career. She can be found in her new office in BGS 0170 and will be teaching a new undergraduate class in Astrobiology, ES 3001B, this coming winter term.
Dr. Neish's departmental website can be found here, and her personal website can be found at planetneish.com.
