NATHAN J. MCGREGOR

I am a Ph.D. student in Planetary Science at the University of California, Santa Cruz and a member of the UCSC Planetary Science Group. My advisor is Professor Francis Nimmo. I also work with Professor Ian Garrick‑Bethell.

I am interested in the physics behind the surface processes that shape rocky and icy bodies. I am currently investigating whether convection models can reproduce the convective uplift associated with the topographic alternation of Venus’ longest canali, Baltis Vallis. I am also investigating thermal models of the Moon consistent with colder temperatures on the nearside to constrain the origin of Apollo 17 troctolite 76535.

I completed my B.S. in Physics and Astrophysics at Boise State University where I worked with Professor Daryl Macomb on long-term optical monitoring of BL Lacertae objects. I also hold a B.A. in Political Science from Boise State and was a member of Professor Brian Jackson’s Planetary Science Research Group.

Baltis Vallis

Baltis Vallis is a lava channel on Venus that shows non-monotonic topography, so it must have been deformed after emplacement. Working with Professor Francis Nimmo, we are investigating whether convection models for Venus can reproduce the kind of behavior seen at Baltis Vallis. The Venus convection models that form our primary data set were created by Dr. Cedric Gillmann. Once we have identified a model initial topography, we will assess how it evolves under the influence of convection and how the evolving model profiles correlate over time.