Kristin Johnson

Assistant Professor

More about Kristin N. Johnson-Finn ("Johnson-Finn" is the preferred name in publications and professional settings over "Johnson") The Chemical Lens: The Bridge between Geology and ChemistryResearch in the Johnson-Finn laboratory bridges the divide between organic chemistry and geology, which is a useful perspective when pursuing the fate of organic compounds in geologic settings, astrobiology biosignatures, questions of origins of life and more!  By bringing a chemist’s perspective, our understanding of observations from these systems can expand beyond what has been accomplished before. The interdisciplinary approach opens pathways to new information that we cannot pursue otherwise and allows collaboration with a diverse variety of different researchers. Because of the fundamental nature of this research, it has many applications.  Professor Johnson-Finn is a faculty member of the RARE (Rensselaer Astrobiology Research and Education) Center and a Co-I of a NASA funded research grant involving collaborators across the country titled "Earth First Origins" (EFO).  The EFO focuses on understanding the connection between geologic environments and the emergence of life through observations, modelling, and experiments.  Link to RARE flyerPathways: The Unification of Chemistry, Geology, Astrobiology & Processes on EarthMissions to the icy moons of Europa and Enceladus, explorers of organic sediments on the ocean floor, engineers developing organic synthesis methods in batch reactors, and researchers focused on finding the first origins of life all need a detailed map of reactions at different parameter space. Detailed pathway mapping through a combination of experimental results and theoretical calculation can shine light on the dark forest of unexplored parameter space waiting to be pursued in any environment where organic compounds and geology result in a complex mixing history.  Potential collaborators and students unafraid to help dig into the weeds of these problems are welcome to stop by for a chat!