Mr. Michael N. Spilde
Manager, Microprobe/SEM Laboratories
Institute of Meteoritics
MSC03 2050
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
Phone: 505-277-5430
Fax: 505-277-3577
Email: mspilde /at/ unm /dot/ edu
M.S., South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, 1987
Research interests: My primary field of study is mineralogy, with an emphasis on microbeam techniques (SEM, TEM, electron microprobe, and X-ray microprobe). My research is focused in several areas: 1) The use subsurface terrestrial environments (particularly caves and lava tubes) as analogies to the subsurface of Mars in the search for life, 2) The study of biogenic minerals, particularly manganese oxides, and 3) Cave geology and mineralogy.
Recent Publications
Spilde M. N., Northup D. E., and Boston, P. J. (2006) Ferromanganese deposits in the caves of the Gaudalupe Mountans. Caves and Karst of Southeastern New Mexico, New Mexico Geological Society 57th Fall Field Conference Guidebook, 161-166. Click for PDF reprint
Spilde M. N., Northup D. E., Boston P. J., Schelble R. T., Dano, K. E., Crossey L. J., Dahm C. N. (2005) Geomicrobiology of cave ferromanganese deposits: A field and laboratory investigation. Geomicrobiology Journal 22:99-116. Click for PDF reprint
Northup D. E., Barns S. M., Yu L. E., Spilde M. N., Schelble R. T., Dano, K. E., Crossey L. J., Connolly C. A., Boston P. J., Natvig D. O., and Dahm C. N. (2003) Diverse microbial communities inhabiting ferromanganese deposits in Lechuguilla and Spider caves. Environmental Microbiology, 5:1071-1086.
Boston P. J., Spilde M. N., Northup D. E., Melim L. A., Soroka D. S., Kleina L. G., Lavoie K. H., Hose L. D., Mallory L. A., Dahm C. N., Crossey L. J., and Schelble R. T. (2001) Cave biosignature suites: Microbes, minerals, and Mars. Astrobiology Journal, 1:25-55.
Bowman L. E., Spilde M. N., and Papike J. J. (1997) Automated EDS modal analysis applied to the diogenites. Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 32:869-875.