Edit My Profile

Integrated Search Menu

David Williams

Profile photo
School Of Earth and Space Exploration
Assoc Research Professor (FSC)
Faculty, TEMPE Campus, Mailcode 6004
Biography

David A. Williams is an associate research professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and the director of the Ronald Greeley Center for Planetary Studies, the NASA Regional Planetary Information Facility at ASU. He is also the director of the NASA Planetary Aeolian Laboratory at the Ames Research Center in California. Professor Williams is currently performing research in volcanology and planetary geology, with a focus on planetary mapping, geochemical, and remote sensing studies. His research has included computer modeling of seismic wave propagation through planetary interiors, visible and near-infrared spectroscopy of the lunar surface, planetary geologic mapping of the satellites of Jupiter, the planet Mars, and the asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres, computer modeling of the physical and geochemical evolution of lava flows in a variety of planetary environments, and petrologic study of lava samples from Mount St Helens.

He was involved with NASA’s Magellan Mission to Venus and Galileo Mission to Jupiter. He is a Co-Investigator on the European Space Agency’s Mars Express orbiter mission, and he is a member of the Science Team on NASA’s Dawn Mission to asteroid Vesta and dwarf planet Ceres. He is a past chair of the Planetary Geology Division of the Geological Society of America (GSA), and, in 2014, he was elected to become a fellow of the GSA. Also in 2014, the International Astronomical Union named asteroid 10,461 DAWilliams in his honor. Professor Williams is also a Science Team member of NASA's Psyche mission, selected by NASA in January 2017 as the next Discovery mission to visit metal asteroid (16) Psyche in 2026. In 2017 he received the Ronald Greeley Distinguished Service Award from the Planetary Geology Division of the Geological Society of America.

Fax
480-965-8960
CV
Binary Data Curriculum Vitae
Education
  • Ph.D. Geology, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL 1998. Dissertation: Analytical/Numerical Modeling of the Emplacement and Erosional Potential of Archean and Proterozoic Komatiitic Lava Flows. Advisor:  Dr. C. Michael Lesher (now at Laurentian University, Sudbury)
  • M.S. Geology, Arizona State University 1992. Thesis: Multispectral Studies of Selected Crater- and Basin-Filling Lunar Maria from Galileo Earth-Moon  Encounter 1. Advisor:  Dr. Ronald Greeley (deceased)
  • B.S. Astronomy and Astrophysics, minors: Mathematics, Geology, Indiana University-Bloomington 1989

                

Research Website
https://rpif.asu.edu
Research Interests

David Williams' research focuses on volcanology and planetary geology, with an emphasis on understanding the emplacement styles and compositions of extrusive volcanic products on the terrestrial planets and outer planet satellites. Dr. Williams utilizes photogeologic analyses of spacecraft data, geologic mapping using ArcGIS, mathematical computer modeling, and reduction of spacecraft and sample mineralogical and geochemical data to study planetary volcanology. Dr. Williams is the Director of the Ronald Greeley Center for Planetary Studies, the NASA Regional Planetary Information Facility at ASU. He is also the Director of the NASA Planetary Aeolian Laboratory, which operates wind tunnels at ASU and at the Ames Research Center in California. He was involved with NASA's Magellan Mission to Venus and Galileo Mission to Jupiter. He is a Co-Investigator on the European Space Agency's Mars Express orbiter mission, and he is currently serving on the Science Team of NASA's Dawn Mission to asteroid 4 Vesta and dwarf planet 1 Ceres.  Beginning in 2017 he serves as the Deputy Lead for the Psyche Multispectral Imager for NASA's Psyche Mission.

Research Group

Professor Williams is the Director of the Ronald Greeley Center for Planetary Studies, the NASA Regional Planetary Information Facility (RPIF) at Arizona State University.  The staff of the RGCPS supports ASU students, faculty, and staff with planetary research using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software.

Publications

For a complete list of Dr. Williams published papers with downloadable PDFs, go to this link:

https://rpif.asu.edu/index.php/dawilliams_pub

Research Activity
  • Williams,David A*. Digitizing the Unique Photographic-Film Archives of the ASU Regional Planetary Information Facility. NASA-NSSC(7/1/2015 - 6/30/2018).
  • Williams,David A*. Dawn - A Journey to the Beginning of the Solar System. UCLA (AT LOS ANGELES)(1/1/2015 - 12/31/2016).
  • Williams,David A*. Regional Geologic Mapping of Titan. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/15/2014 - 9/14/2017).
  • Williams,David A*. Geologic Mapping of Ascraeus Mons. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/1/2014 - 8/31/2017).
  • Williams,David A*. A Multi-Wavelength Observing Program of Io Using Adaptive Optics and Interferometric Techniques. UNIV OF CA AT BERKELEY(9/1/2013 - 8/31/2016).
  • Williams,David A*. Mars ExpressNASA Project Extended Mission. JPL(1/1/2013 - 9/25/2016).
  • Williams,David A*. Modeling Erosion by Flowing Lava on the Moon Mars and Earth. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/28/2012 - 9/27/2016).
  • Williams,David A*. Planetary Aeolian Laboratory (PAL). NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(8/1/2011 - 7/31/2016).
  • Williams,David A*. Regional Planetary Image Facility. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(7/25/2011 - 7/24/2016).
  • Williams,David A*. Aqueous Chemical Processes in Enceladus History. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(11/1/2010 - 10/31/2014).
  • Williams,David A*. Identification Analysis and Mapping of Putative Igneous Deposits on Asteroid 4 Vesta. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(8/10/2010 - 12/31/2014).
  • Williams,David A*. Geologic Mapping of Arsia and Pavonis Montes Mars. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(8/1/2010 - 7/31/2015).
  • Williams,David A*, Greeley,Ronald. Aeolian Patterns and Deposits Related to Small Craters. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(3/15/2010 - 3/14/2015).
  • Williams,David A*. Geologic Mapping of the Olympus Mons Volcano Mars. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(9/1/2009 - 8/31/2014).
  • Williams,David A*. Geologic Mapping of Io: GIS Database and Regional Mapping. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(7/1/2008 - 6/30/2011).
  • Greeley,Ronald*, Williams,David A. Studies in Planetary Volcanism. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(5/15/2006 - 5/14/2008).
  • Williams,David A*. Global Geological Mapping of Io. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(4/15/2005 - 6/14/2009).
  • Greeley,Ronald*, Williams,David A. STUDIES IN PLANETARY VOLCANOLOGY. NASA-GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CTR(4/1/2003 - 3/31/2006).
  • Williams,David A*, Greeley,Ronald. MARS EXPRESS: CO-INVESTIGATION ON HRSC. JPL(4/7/2000 - 12/31/2012).
Fall 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 404Fundamentals Planetary Geology
SES 592Research
GLG 598Special Topics
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Summer 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
SES 592Research
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Spring 2018
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 422Planetary Volcanology
GLG 598Special Topics
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Fall 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Summer 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
SES 592Research
SES 692Research
SES 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
Spring 2017
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 499Individualized Instruction
GLG 584Internship
AST 592Research
SES 592Research
GLG 592Research
SES 599Thesis
GLG 599Thesis
SES 692Research
GLG 692Research
AST 692Research
SES 792Research
AST 792Research
GLG 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
GLG 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
Fall 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 584Internship
GLG 592Research
GLG 599Thesis
AST 692Research
SES 692Research
GLG 692Research
SES 792Research
GLG 792Research
AST 792Research
SES 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
GLG 799Dissertation
Summer 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 592Research
AST 692Research
GLG 799Dissertation
Spring 2016
Course NumberCourse Title
AST 592Research
GLG 592Research
GLG 599Thesis
GLG 692Research
AST 692Research
GLG 792Research
AST 792Research
GLG 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
Fall 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 592Research
GLG 599Thesis
GLG 692Research
AST 692Research
GLG 792Research
AST 792Research
GLG 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
Summer 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 592Research
Spring 2015
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 495Undergraduate Thesis
AST 592Research
GLG 592Research
GLG 599Thesis
GLG 692Research
AST 692Research
GLG 792Research
AST 792Research
GLG 799Dissertation
AST 799Dissertation
Fall 2014
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 422Planetary Volcanology
GLG 499Individualized Instruction
GLG 598Special Topics
Spring 2014
Course NumberCourse Title
GLG 499Individualized Instruction
Presentations

As a Research Professor, I normally only teach classes very rarely.  Every 3-4 years I teach:

GLG 422/598  Planetary Volcanology (3 credits, co-taught with Professor Amanda Clarke)

In the past, I have co-taught:

GLG 490/598 Geology of the Outer Planet Satellites

GLG 101 Physical Geology

GLG 490/598 Fundamentals of Planetary Geology

Honors / Awards

Awarded Ronald Greeley Distinguished Service Award, Planetary Geology Division, Geological Society of America, October 2017.

Honored by the IAU with naming of asteroid 10,461 DAWilliams, July 12, 2014

Elected to Fellowship, Geological Society of America, May 2014

NASA Group Achievement Award, Dawn Science Team (Vesta Encounter), 2013.

Editorships

Co-Editor, GSA Special Publication, “Recent Advances in Lunar Stratigraphy”, 2011.

Professional Associations

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 1998-present.

International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior (IAVCEI),

            1996-present.

American Geophysical Union (AGU), 1993-present.

Geological Society of America (GSA), Cordillera Section and Planetary Geology Division, 1991-present.

American Astronomical Society, Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS), 1992-present.

The Planetary Society, 1985-present.

Graduate Faculties / Mentoring History

Ph.D. Supervisory Committee Co-chair, John Christoph, 2nd project advisor, Mission Concept and Technical Feasibility of Synthetic Aperature Radar for Geologic Observation of the Subsurface of Io, Ph.D. dissertation, Arizona State University, Anticipated May 2020.

Ph.D. Supervisory Committee Co-chair, Vincenzo Cataldo, Modeling Erosion by Flowing Lava on the Moon, Mars, and Earth, Ph.D. dissertation, Arizona State University, Anticipated December 2018.

M.S. Supervisory Committee Co-chair, Kyle Mohr, Geological Mapping of Ascraeus Mons, Mars, M.S. thesis, Arizona State University, December 2017.

Ph.D. Supervisory Committee Member, Melissa Bunte, Geological Studies of Europa and Io, Ph.D. dissertation, Arizona State University, December 2013.

M.S. Supervisory Committee Co-chair, Leon Manfredi, The Volcanic History of the Tempe Volcanic Province, Mars, M.S. thesis, Arizona State University, December, 2012.

M.S. Supervisory Committee Member, Melissa Bunte, Volcano-Tectonic Interactions on Io: The Zal, Hi’iaka, and Shamshu Regions, M.S. thesis, Arizona State University, May, 2008.

Ph.D. Supervisory Committee Member, Jacob E. Bleacher, Characterization of Shield Volcanoes on Earth and Mars from Slope Analyses and Lava Flow Mapping, Ph.D. dissertation, Arizona State University, December, 2006.

Work History

Associate Research Professor, School of Earth & Space Exploration: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; July 2012-Present. U.S. Co-Investigator, ESA Mars Express Mission; Co-Investigator, NASA Dawn Mission to Ceres; Co-Investigator, NASA Psyche Mission.

Director, NASA Planetary Regional Image Facility (RPIF) at Arizona State University (ASU), renamed The Ronald Greeley Center of Planetary Studies, March 2012-Present.

Principal Investigator, The Planetary Aeolian Laboratory (located at NASA Ames Research Center, Moffet Field, California, administered by ASU), March 2012-Present.

Member of the Graduate Faculty (Geological Sciences), School of Earth & Space Exploration: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; May 2010-Present.

Faculty Research Associate, School of Earth & Space Exploration (formerly Department of Geological Sciences): Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; August 2003-June 2012. U.S. Co-Investigator, ESA Mars Express Mission; Participating Scientist, NASA Dawn Mission to Vesta.

Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Geological Sciences: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; August 2001-May 2002.

Graduate School:

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Geological Sciences: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; August 1998-July 2003. Associate, Solid State Imaging Team, NASA Galileo Mission at Jupiter.

Graduate Council Research Fellow/Graduate Research Assistant/Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Geology: University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL; August 1994-August 1998.

Graduate Research/Teaching Associate, Department of Geology: Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ; August 1989-August 1994.

Summer Research Assistant, Sacramento Peak Solar Observatory: National Optical Astronomy Observatories, Sunspot, New Mexico; Summer 1987.

Service

Served on 10 NASA Proposal Review Panels and  served as external reviewer for another 15 NASA Review panels.

Planetary Geologic Mapping Community Representative and Steering Committee Member, NASA Mapping and Planetary Spatial Information Infrastructure Team (MAPSIT), March 2017-Present

Chair, Geologic Mapping Subcommittee (GEMS), NASA Mapping and Planetary Spatial Information Infrastructure Team (MAPSIT), June 2014-March 2017.

Steering Committee Member, NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG), March 2008-July 2013

Chair, Pellas-Ryder Best Student Paper Award Committee, January 2011-March 2012

Chair, 2012 GSA Planetary Geology Division G.K. Gilbert Award Committee, November 2011-February 2012

Chair, Planetary Geology Division, Geological Society of America, November 2010-November 2011

Member, NASA Jovian System Observer Mission Study Science Definition Team (SDT), 2007.

Expertise Areas
Planetary Geoscience
Volcanology
Planetary Sciences