Day, currently a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Maryland, will be joining Scripps to main­tain the institution’s long tradition of excellence in geochemistry and cosmochemistry. He’s experienced both in the field and in the lab as a petrologist, field geologist, geochemist, and cosmochemist studying planetary evolution and mantle geochemistry. Day is interested in understanding solar system formation and the internal dynamics and formation of planets, especially Earth. His current research includes the use of precise isotopic analysis and diverse petrological techniques to understand high-temperature igneous systems, such as ocean island basalt magmatism, lunar formation and evolution, core-mantle interaction, and the differentiation of planets and asteroids.