Daniel Hummer completed his Ph.D. at Penn State University specializing in mineralogy and crystallography. He is interested in the phase stability of minerals at high pressures and temperatures, and the kinetics of nucleation and crystal growth processes. He is currently working with Bob Hazen on topics in mineral evolution/ecology, including tracing the geologic history of minerals with redox sensitive elements, and analyzing Earth’s mineral diversity in order to predict and find new species - especially minerals of carbon. Additionally, Daniel is interested in mineral diversity, crystal chemistry and thermodynamic stability of minerals across a range of pressure-temperature conditions.