Education:
(2017) PhD – Astronomy, University of Maryland. Water in the Early Solar System: Infrared studies of aqueously altered and minimally processed asteroids.
(2014) M.S. – Astronomy, University of Maryland. Master’s Thesis: Compositional Variations in CM/CI meteorites and Dark Asteroids
(2010) B.A., Cum Laude, Mount Holyoke College – Double Major Physics and Astronomy.
Professional appointments:
(2010-2011) Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory – Ultra-high Vacuum Laboratory Manager. Supervisor: Charles (Karl) Hibbitts
(September 1, 2017 – present) Post-doctoral Fellow, Northern Arizona University, Department of Physics and Astronomy
Fellowships and Awards:
(2015-2017) NASA Earth and Space Sciences Fellowship (NESSF) Recipient. Project title: Water in the Early Solar System: Mid-infrared Studies of Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids.
(2014-2015) Graduate School-Teach and Learning Transformation Center’s Graduate Teaching Fellowship
(2019) Best SOFIA-based PhD Thesis Prize; USRA, announced at 233 Meeting of AAS
Refereed Publications:
(Submitted) The intersection of Technology, Campus Climate and Student Belonging among Underrepresented Students. A. Munger, T. Thomas, M. M. McAdam, A. Nynka. Journal of Higher Education.
(2018) Spectral Evidence for Amorphous Silicates in Low-Metamorphic Grade CO Meteorites and Their Parent Bodies. McAdam, M. M., Sunshine, J. M., Howard, K. T., Alexander, C. M. O’D., McCoy, T. J., Bus, S. J. Icarus, 306, 32-49.
(2015) Aqueous alteration on asteroids: Linking the mineralogy and spectroscopy of CM and CI chondrites. McAdam, M. M., Sunshine, J. M., Howard, K. T., McCoy, T. M., Icarus, Vol. 245, 320-332.
(2014) The miniature radio frequency instrument (Mini-RF) global observations of Earth’s Moon. J. T. S. Cahill, B. J. Thomson, W. Patterson, D. B. J. Bussey, C. D Neish, N. R. Lopez, T. F. Scott, T. Aldridge, M. McAdam, H. M. Meyer, R. K Raney, L. M. Carter, P. D. Spudis, H. Hiesinger, J. H. Pasckert. Icarus, Vol. 243, 173-190.
Book Chapters:
Linking water-rich asteroids to carbonaceous chondrites: Implications. D. Takir, K. Howrd, H. Yabuta, M. McAdam, C. Hibbitts, J. Emery. In Primitive Meteorites and Asteroids: Physical, chemical and spectroscopic observations paving the way to exploration. Editor: Neyda Abreu (2018).
Awarded Observation Time:
(2014) SOFIA Cycle-3 Award: 8.5 hours, observing up to 12 dark asteroids.
(2019) SOFIA Cycle-8 proposed 8.63 hours to obtain rotationally resolved spectroscopy of (16) Psyche in support of the Psyche Mission (PI of project). Title: (16) Psyche: Confirming and quantifying the detections of rotational heterogeneity, hydrated minerals and/or pyroxene with SOFIA+FORCAST. Awarded. Observations will occur between October 1, 2020 – February 15, 2021.
(2019) DCT 2020a, two half-nights. Proposal title: Rotationally Resolved Spectroscopy of (93) Minerva, an ultra-primitive asteroid? Co-I: Annika Gustafson. Awarded; Observations scheduled for January 28th and 29th, 2020.
(2019) SOFIA Cycle-8 proposed 2.02 h of SOFIA+FORCAST time to spectrally characterize the leading and trailing hemispheres of the four large Galilean Satellites. (PI of project). Declined.
(2019) SOFIA Cycle-7 conditional award, Co-I of M-type asteroid survey in support of Psyche Mission (PI: Dr. Zoe Landsman). Observations in progress
(2016) IRTF 2016B Award: 2.5 nights of observations of hydrated asteroids using the visiting instrument BASS.
(2015) SOFIA Cycle-4 conditional award, observing up to 3 asteroids.
(2014) SOFIA Cycle-3 Award: 8.5 hours, observing up to 12 dark asteroids.
(2014) SOFIA Cycle-3 Award: 8.5 hours, observing up to 12 dark asteroids.
(2015) SOFIA Cycle-4 conditional award, observing up to 3 asteroids.
(2016) IRTF 2016B Award: 2.5 nights of observations of hydrated asteroids using the visiting instrument BASS.
(2019) SOFIA Cycle-7 conditional award, Co-I of M-type asteroid survey in support of Psyche Mission (PI: Dr. Zoe Landsman)
Proposals and Grants
(July, 2019) Meteorite Phase and Grain-size Spectral Database: a resource for leveraging asteroid mission results. Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration and Tools. 2/11/2020-2/10/2023,$350,212; declined; planning to modify and resubmit to SSW
Service
(presently) Member of the SOFIA Users Group (since November, 2019)
(presently) Co-Chair of the Asteroids Comets Meteors Conference (Flagstaff, June 14-19, 2020) Science Organizing Committee (SOC).
(presently) Member of the Asteroids Comets Meteors Conference Local Organizing Committee (LOC). Responsibilities include LOC-SOC communication and organization of conference excursions.
(2018-presnt) Member of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Science Professional Development Subcommittee.
(2017-2018) I have served on four NASA review panels.
(through 2019) I have reviewed five papers for the following journals: Clay Minerals Journal, Icarus, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
(2018) MIT Field Camp Mentor. (2016) Session chair for Asteroids Physical Characteristics: Surfaces III; DPS/EPSC.
Equity, Inclusion and Justice Work
(2018-present) Co-founder, with Dr. Kristen Bennett, of The Collective, an NAU Department of Physics and Astronomy diversity initiative.
(2015) GRAD-MAP research mentor during Winter Workshop
(2014) AAS Congressional Visit Day.
(2013-2015) Astronomy Gentle-ladies Network – Monthly Meetings Coordinator
Invited Talks:
(2018) USRA/SOFIA Colloquium. Title: Water in the Early Solar System: infrared studies of aqueously altered and minimally processed asteroids and meteorites.
(2018) Lowell Observatory. Title: Water in the Early Solar System: infrared studies of aqueously altered and minimally processed asteroids and meteorites.
(2017) Carnegie Institution Department of Terrestrial Magnetism Astronomy Seminar; Title: SOFIA + FORCAST observations of Aqueously Altered Asteroids
(2016) NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Astronomy Colloquium, May 22, 2016; Title: Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids: Linking the Mineralogy and Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites
(November, 2016) Smithsonian Institute Minerals Department Colloquium; Title: Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids: Linking the Mineralogy and Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites
(2016) NASA Goddard Solar System Exploration Science Seminar, January 20, 2016; Title: Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids: Linking the Mineralogy and Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites
(2015) Carnegie Institution Department of Terrestrial Magnetism Astronomy Seminar, December 11, 2015; Title: Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids: Linking the Mineralogy and Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites
(2015) Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory Space Department Seminar, June 3, 2015. Title: Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids: Linking the Mineralogy and Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites
Conference Proceedings:
(2019) A Search for 3-μm Features on Nominally Anhydrous Main Belt Asteroids. Cristina A. Thomas, Joshua P. Emery, Lauren McGraw, Andrew S. Rivkin, and Margaret M. McAdam. DPS poster presentation, Geneva, Switzerland.
(2019) The Collective: A non-traditional diversity seminar and its efficacy. M. McAdam, K. Bennett. B Eiler (in absentia). Women in Space Conference. Tempe, AZ.
(2018)Archived Spitzer Observations of (3200) Phaethon: an aqueously altered asteroid. M. M. McAdam, M. Mommert, D. E. Trilling. DPS poster presentation. Knoxville, TN.
(2018) AstroBetter Rumor Mill Hiring data (Fall 2011-Spring 2016): subtle gender barriers in hiring? M. M. McAdam. DPS, poster presentation. Knoxville, TN.
(2018) Asteroid (93) Minerva: Spectral Evidence of Primitive, Amorphous Minerals and Implications. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, K. T. Howard, C. M. O’D Alexander, T. J., McCoy, S. J. Bus. LPSC, poster presentation. Houston, TX.
(2018) Spectral Evidence for Amorphous Materials in Least-Processed Meteorites. Women in Planetary Science and Exploration Conference. Toronto, ON.
(2017) Water in the early solar system: Mid-infrared studies of aqueous alteration on asteroids. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, M. S. P. Kelley, D. E. Trilling. DPS, oral presentation.
(2017) The Extent of Aqueous Alteration on Ch-type asteroids as observed in the mid-infrared by IRTF+BASS. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, M. S. P. Kelley, R. W. Russell, D. L. Kim, C. E. Woodward.
(2016) SOFIA+FORCAST Observations of 10 Aqueously Altered Asteroids M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, M. S. P. T. Kelley. DPS/EPSC, oral presentation.
(2016) Finding the most primitive asteroids: Spectral identification of amorphous materials in CO chondrites. M. M. McAdam, et al., LPSC abstract # 2291; poster presentation.
(2016) Identifying the most Primitive Asteroids: Amorphous Material in CO Meteorites and SOFIA Observations of 10 Hygiea. M. M. McAdam, et al., Goldschmidt Conference, oral presentation.
(2015) SOFIA observations of dark asteroids: Evidence for hydrated minerals on asteroidal surfaces? M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, M. S. P. T. Kelley, DPS, oral presentation.
(2015) Aqueous alteration in CR meteorites as seen with VIS/NIR and MIR spectroscopy. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, K. T. Howard, T. J. McCoy, C. M. O’D. Alexander, J. Davidson. LPSC abstract #2540, poster presentation.
(2015) Technology: Fostering belonging or alienation among underrepresented students? TLTC Fellows, K. Bhagat, S. Bartis, E. Ellis, C. Ferraioli, A. Munger*, M. M. McAdam*, A. Nynka, T. Thomas. Lilly Conference Series on College and University Teaching and Learning, oral presentation.
(2014) Mineralogy of Dark Asteroids: Detection of Phyllosilicate Features in the Mid-Infrared. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, M. S. P. Kelley. DPS, oral presentation.
(2014) Alteration on asteroids: Insights from CM/CI meteorite mineralogy and infrared spectroscopy. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, M. S. P. T. Kelley, ACM, oral presentation.
(2014) Spectral trends in aqueously altered CM/CI meteorites. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, K. T. Howard, T. J. McCoy. Clay Minerals Society annual meeting, oral presentation.
(2014) Seeing Past Alteration: Revealing the Spectral Signature of the Primary mineralogy of GRA 06128/9. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, R. D. Ash, L. C. Cheek, C. M. Corrigan, T. J. McCoy, T. Hiroi. LPSC abstract #1573; poster presentation.
(2013) Composition and degree of alteration of dark asteroids. M. M. McAdam, J. M., Sunshine, M. S. P. Kelley. DPS, oral presentation.
(2013) Fe and Mg compositional variation is CM/CI meteorites and dark asteroids. M. M. McAdam, J. M. Sunshine, K. T. Howard, M. S. Kelly, T. McCoy, LPSC abstract #1048, poster presentation.
(2012) The effects of vacuum desiccation and temperature on the near-infrared spectra of clays. C. A. Hibbitts, M. M. McAdam, A. Greenspon. LPSC abstract #1704, poster presentation.
(2011) Mini-RF global radar observations of the Moon. M. M. McAdam, J. T. S. Cahill, W. Patterson, T. Aldridge, D. B. J. Bussey, E. P. Turtle, B. J. Thomson, C. D. Neish and the Mini-RF Team. LPSC abstract #2197, poster presentation.
(2011) Temperature dependence of calcium and sodium montmorillonite at 2.6-μm. M. M.
McAdam, C. A. Hibbitts. LPSC abstract #1026, poster presentation.
Campus-wide and Departmental Talks:
(2016) Better Astronomy for the New Generation Talk. Title: Technology and Belonging on Campus: Perspectives from Underrepresented Students.
(2015) UMD Teach and Learning Transformation Center Diversity Seminar Series presentation. TLTC Fellows, K. Bhagat, S. Bartis*, E. Ellis, C. Ferraioli*, A. Munger, M. M. McAdam*, A. Nynka*, T. Thomas*. Title: Technology and Belonging on Campus: Perspectives from Underrepresented Students. *presenters.
(2015) Better Astronomy for the New Generation Talk, co-presented with Shreya Anand; Interactive discussion seminar introducing the Astronomy Gentleladies Network and issues facing women and minorities in STEM.
Teaching Experience:
(2011-2012) Teaching Assistant, Department of Astronomy for Dr. Melissa Hayes-Gehrke. Astronomy 220: Collisions in Space.
Professional Memberships:
(2014-present) Member of the American Astronomical Society, Division for Planetary Sciences
Departmental and Professional Service
(2019) Member of the SOFIA Users Group
Co-founder, with Dr. Kristen Bennett, of The Collective, an NAU Department of Physics and Astronomy diversity initiative.
(2017-2018) I have served on four NASA review panels.
I have reviewed four papers for the following journals: Clay Minerals Journal, Icarus, Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
(2018-presnt) Member of the American Astronomical Society’s Division for Planetary Science Professional Development Subcommittee.
(2018) MIT Field Camp Mentor.
(2016) Session chair for Asteroids Physical Characteristics: Surfaces III; DPS/EPSC.
(2015) GRAD-MAP research mentor during Winter Workshop
(2014) AAS Congressional Visit Day.
(2013-2015) Astronomy Gentle-ladies Network – Monthly Meetings Coordinator
Press Coverage:
Featured in Mike Simmons’ photo-journal, titled Flying with SOFIA, NASA’s Airborne Telescope, on seeker.com. Link: http://www.seeker.com/flying-with-sofia-nasas-airborne-telescope-photos-1770029684.html
Outreach Activities:
(2015) National Capitol Astronomers (invited talk); September 12, 2015; Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids: Linking the Mineralogy and Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites
(2016) Astronomical Society of Greenbelt (invited talk); January 28, 2016. Aqueous Alteration on Asteroids: Linking the Mineralogy and Spectroscopy of Carbonaceous Chondrites
(2019) Astronomy on Tap (Flagstaff). September 5, 2019. Meteorite or Wrong! and Tour of Small Bodies Missions