Congratulations to Ethan Sontarp ’24 who was awarded an Undergraduate Prize from the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA) in recognition of his Junior Independent work with Assistant Professor Jie Deng. Ethan's research focuses on identifying how water dissolves into silicate melts, and uses atomistic simulations to achieve higher temperature conditions than can be produced in a lab. It is of particular relevance to understanding the exchange of water vapor between the Earth and the early atmosphere, at a time when the planet was in the process of cooling down from a magma ocean state.

The Mineralogical Society of America's Undergraduate Prize recognizes outstanding students who have shown initiative in the discipline of mineralogy. Ethan will be presented with a certificate at and will receive a student membership in MSA with access to the American Mineralogist and Elements, as well as a Reviews in Mineralogy and Geochemistry or Monograph volume chosen by the sponsor, student, or both.