Research Background

2009–2014: Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of California, Davis

Research Interests

Josh Wimpenny’s research interests involve the use of stable and radiogenic isotope systems to investigate a range of questions relating to geology, cosmochemistry, and nuclear forensics. Examples of his past research include measuring stable isotope ratios of Li, Mg, and Ca to trace past changes in chemical weathering processes. He has also used short-lived chronometers such as the ²⁶Al-²⁶Mg system to date the formation of the first solids in our Solar System. His current work includes characterizing the behavior of Zn and Ga in lunar rocks to provide new constraints over the timing and extent of volatile loss from the Moon. He is also involved in developing and implementing new analytical techniques by multi-collector ICP-MS that can help us understand the history and intended use of nuclear materials.

Ph.D., Geochemistry, The Open University, UK, 2009

B.S., Geology, University of Liverpool, UK, 2004

Wimpenny, J., Marks, N., Knight, K., Borg, L., Badro, J., Ryerson, F. (2020) Constraining the behavior of gallium isotopes during evaporation at extreme temperatures. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 286, 54-71.

Pogge von Strandmann, P., Kasemann, S., Wimpenny, J. (2020) Lithium and lithium isotopes in Earth’s surface cycles. Elements: An International Magazine of Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Petrology, 16, 4.

Kruijer, T., Borg, L., Wimpenny, J., Sio, C. (2020) Onset of magma ocean solidification on Mars inferred from Mn-Cr chronometry. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 542, 116315.

Wimpenny, J., Marks, N., Knight, K., Rolison, J., Borg, L., Eppich, G., Badro, J., Ryerson, F., Sanborn, M., Huyskens, M., Yin, Q.-Z. (2019) Experimental determination of Zn isotope fractionation during evaporative loss at extreme temperatures. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 259, 391-411.

Borg, L., Gaffney, A., Kruijer, T., Marks, N., Sio, C., Wimpenny, J. (2019) Isotopic evidence for a young lunar magma ocean. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 523, 115706.

Wimpenny, J., Sanborn, M., Koefoed, P., Cooke, I., Stirling, C., Amelin, Y., Yin, Q.-Z. (2019) Reassessing the origin and chronology of the unique achondrite Asuka 881394: Implications for distribution of 26Al in the early Solar System. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 244, 478-501.

Wimpenny, J., Amelin, Y., Yin, Q. Z. (2015) The Lu isotopic composition of achondrites: Closing the case for accelerated decay of 176Lu. The Astrophysical Journal Letters, 812(1), L3.

Wimpenny, J., Colla, C. A., Yu, P., Yin, Q.-Z., Rustad, J. R., Casey, W. H. (2015) Lithium Isotope fractionation during uptake by gibbsite. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 168, 133-150.

Wimpenny, J., Colla, C. A., Yin, Q.-Z., Rustad, J. R., Casey, W. H. (2014) Investigating the behaviour of Mg isotopes during the formation of clay minerals. Geochimica Et Cosmochimica Acta, 128, 178-194.

Popova, O. P., Jenniskens, P., Emel’yanenko, V., … Wimpenny, J., … et al. (2013) Chelyabinsk airburst, damage assessment, meteorite recovery and characterization. Science, 342. 1069-1073.

Wasserburg, G. J., Wimpenny, J., Yin, Q.-Z. (2012) Mg Isotopic Heterogeneity, Al-Mg Isochrons, and Canonical 26Al/27Al in the Early Solar System. Meteoritics and Planetary Sciences, 47 (12), 1980-1997.

Jenniskens, P., Fries, M. D., Yin, Q.-Z., …Wimpenny, J., …et al. (2012) Radar-enabled recovery of the Sutter’s Mill meteorite, a carbonaceous chondrite regolith breccia. Science, 338, 1583-1587.

Wimpenny, J., Gíslason, S., James, R.H., Gannoun, A., Pogge von Strandmann, P.A.E., Burton, K.W. (2010) The behaviour of Li and Mg isotopes during primary phase dissolution and secondary mineral formation in basalt. Geochimica et Cosmochima Acta, 74, 18, 5259-5279.

Wimpenny, J., James, R., Burton, K., Gannoun, A., Mokadem, F., Gíslason, S. (2010) Glacial effects on weathering processes: New insights from the elemental and lithium isotopic composition of West Greenland rivers. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 290, 3-4, 427-437.

Wimpenny, J., Gannoun, A., Burton, K. W., Widdowson, M., James, R. H., Gíslason, S. R. (2007) Rhenium and osmium isotope and elemental behaviour accompanying laterite formation in the Deccan region of India. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 261, 1-2, 239-258.

Full reference list can be found at Google Scholar.