My research uses geochemical methods to determine a variety of characteristics about volcanoes in order to better understand their eruption processes, mantle mechanics, eruption timings, and extents. I then use these details to help make predictions about the characteristics of future eruptions. My main research focus is on volcanic ash (tephra) which, when geochemically fingerprinted, can be used as a chronological marker horizon to not only date the timing of an eruption its self, but also be used to date the sediments in which the volcanic ash is found. This principle is used in many aspects of natural science, and I currently have collaborations in tectonics and seismicity, paleoenvironmental reconstructions, statistics, and of course volcanism.