Dr Kathryn Shaw

Kathryn Shaw is an isotope geochemist and planetary scientist focusing on the origin of our Solar System. 

Academic interests

Kathryn’s research looks at isotopes and, more specifically, the formation of isotopes in stars and how they are altered during different planetary building processes. To achieve this, Kathryn works on developing novel methodologies on a new type of inorganic mass spectrometer, which she has worked on from the prototype phase through to the commercial phase. 

Kathryn’s main interests are:

• Isotopic composition of presolar grains
• Planet formation and planetary relationships
• Magma ocean crystallisation and core formation.

Degrees obtained

• MSci (Hons), Geology, University of Southampton, 2018.
• PhD, University of Bristol, 2022.

Awards and prizes

• STFC studentship, 2018.

Biography

Kathryn is an isotope geochemist and planetary scientist. At the National Oceanography Centre at the University of Southampton, she researched coral health decline and causes in the Caribbean; as part of the Bristol Isotope Group at the University of Bristol, she measured the isotopic composition of sub-micron sized stardust grains left over from the formation of our Solar System

During her PhD, Kathryn developed novel techniques on a new prototype of mass spectrometer, gaining her extensive experience in an emerging, innovative area of inorganic mass spectrometry.

Kathryn’s current research uses novel isotope systems to investigate the formation of our planet, from planetesimal collisions to magma ocean crystallisation and planetary core formation.

Other interests

Badminton, gardening, and history books.