Mikhail Zolotov

Research Professor, School Of Earth and Space Exploration

zolotov@asu.edu

Physical Science Building PSF505a TEMPE, AZ 85287-1404
Mail code: 6004

Campus: Tempe
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Long Bio

Mikhail Zolotov is a planetary geochemist. He uses numerical physical-chemical methods to understand chemical processes and mineralogical changes in past and present solar system environments on terrestrial planets, asteroids and moons.

He works on the interpretation of results from automated space missions (e.g., Venera, Phobos, Mars Exploration Rovers, Galileo, Cassini, Messenger, Dawn) in terms of chemical processes and mineralogical transformations that involve rocks, minerals, gases and solutions. He is a member of the Europa Clipper (NASA) and DAVINCI (NASA) science group.

Professor Zolotov has taught planetary geochemistry and oceanology.

Education

Candidate of Sciences in Geology/Mineralogy, Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 1990
Diploma in Geology/Geochemistry, Lomonosov Moscow State University, 1982

Curriculum Vitae (552.27 KB)

Google Scholar URL

http://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=5YGXpo0AAAAJ

Research Interests

Dr. Zolotov is a planetary geochemist. He uses theoretical physical-chemical methods to understand chemical processes and mineralogical transformations in past and present solar system environments. He works on theoretical geochemistry of volatile elements (H, O, C, N, S, Cl, and alkalis) and compounds (water, carbon dioxide, etc.) on solar system bodies:

Gas-water-mineral type chemical interactions on Venus, Mars, Ceres, icy satellites and parent bodies of chondrites (asteroids)
Formation and chemical evolution of oceans on icy satellites
Chemical weathering of rocks on Venus and Mars
Oxidation states of planetary surfaces and interiors, asteroids and moons
Geochemistry of planetary volcanic gases and hydrothermal systems

Research Activity

Zolotov, Mikhail, Principal Investigator (PI), NASA Solar System Workings grant, 2019-23
Zolotov, Mikhail, PI, NASA Solar System Workings grant, 2019-2023
Zolotov, Mikhail. PI, NASA Habitable Worlds grant, 2018-2024
Zolotov, Mikhail, Co-Investigator, DAVINCI NASA Discovery-class mission to Venus, 2022-present
Zolotov, Mikhail, Co-Investigator, NASA, MAss SPectrometer for Planetary EXploration/Europa (MASPEX), Europa Clipper mission grant, 2015-present
Zolotov, Mikhail, Co-Investigator, NASA, Radar for Europa Assessment and Sounding: Ocean to Near-surface (REASON) grant, Europa Clipper mission, 2015-present
Zolotov, Mikhail, Co-Investigator, NASA, SUrface Dust Mass Analyzer (SUDA), Europa Clipper mission, 2016-present
Desch,Steven*, Anbar,Ariel David, Anbar,Ariel David, Asphaug,Erik, Cadillo-Quiroz,Hinsby, Elser,James Joseph, Hartnett,Hilairy, Hartnett,Hilairy, Mcnamara,Allen Kieth, Neuer,Susanne, Patience,Jennifer Lynn, Poret-Peterson,Amisha T, Shim,Sang-Heon, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett, Till,Christy B, Wadhwa,Meenakshi, Walker,Sara, Young,Patrick, Zolotov,Mikhail. Exoplanetary Ecosystems: Exploring Life's detectability on chemically diverse exoplanets. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(12/31/2014 - 12/30/2019).
Zolotov, Mikhail*. Redox processes in parent bodies of carbonaceous chondrites. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(5/1/2014 - 4/30/2017).
Zolotov, Mikhail*. Numerical Modeling of Aqueous Chemical Processes on Mars. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(4/1/2013 - 3/31/2016).
Zolotov,Mikhail*. Composition and Evolution of Ceres. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(8/11/2011 - 8/10/2015).
Mcnamara, Allen Kieth*, Greeley,Ronald, Zolotov,Mikhail. Modeling Thermochemical Convection of Europa's Icy Shell. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(11/1/2010 - 10/31/2016).
Zolotov,Mikhail*. Fluid Chemistry of Aqueous Alteration in Chondrites. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(5/1/2010 - 4/30/2014).
Anbar, Ariel David*, Anbar,Ariel David*, Boonstra,Sheri Klug, Desch,Steven, Elser,James Joseph, Farmer,Jack, Grigsby,Brian Harrison, Neuer,Susanne, Semken,Steven, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett, Timmes,Francis, Wadhwa,Meenakshi, Zolotov,Mikhail. Follow the Elements. NASA-AMES RESEARCH CTR(2/1/2009 - 1/31/2015).
Zolotov, Mikhail*. Atmosphere-Surface Interactions in Venus History. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(4/16/2008 - 10/15/2012).
Zolotov,Mikhail*, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett. Theoretical Geochemistry of Martian Aqueous Environments. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(7/31/2007 - 7/30/2011).
Zolotov, Mikhail*, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett. Theoretical Mineralogy of Aqueous Alteration in Chondrites. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(4/12/2007 - 4/11/2010).
Zolotov, Mikhail*, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett. Theoretical Geochemistry of Martian Aquatic Systems. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(4/15/2006 - 4/14/2007).
Shock, Everett*, Shock,Everett*, Zolotov,Mikhail. Hydrothermal Ecosystems in a Solar System Context. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/15/2005 - 9/14/2008).
Zolotov, Mikhail*, Holloway,John Requa, Holloway,John Requa, Shock,Everett, Shock, Everett. Theoretical Geochemistry of Planetary Volcanic Gases. NSF-MPS(7/1/2005 - 6/30/2009).
Zolotov,Mikhail*, Shock,Everett, Shock,Everett. Geochemistry of Ocean-Forming Processes on Icy Satellites. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(2/1/2005 - 1/31/2008).
Zolotov,Mikhail*. GENERATION AND FATE OF HYDROGEN DURING AQUEOUS ALTERATION OF ASTEROIDS. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(3/15/2004 - 3/14/2007).

Courses

2020 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
SES 792	Research
SES 799	Dissertation
SES 692	Research

2020 Summer

Course Number	Course Title
SES 692	Research
SES 692	Research
SES 792	Research
SES 792	Research
SES 799	Dissertation
SES 799	Dissertation

2019 Fall

Course Number	Course Title
GLG 598	Special Topics

Professional Associations

Meteoritical Society American

Geophysical Union

Graduate Faculties / Mentoring History

Amy McAdam (ASU, co-adviser) Christopher Glein (ASU, co-adviser)

Expertise Areas

Planetary Geoscience

Planetary Mineralogy

Planetary Geochemistry