Research Interests Physical studies of small bodies in the solar system (asteroids, comets, satellites, Mercury, meteoroids, etc.) Telescopic and spacecraft visible/IR spectrophotometry: planets, satellites, asteroids, comets Cratering and impact-erosional processes; accretion of planetesimals Regolith development and crater-degradational processes; endogenic cratering Analysis of telescopic and spacecraft imagery of planetary atmospheres and surfaces (member, Galileo SSI team; member, NEAR MSI/NIS team; member, MESSENGER science team) Analysis of terrestrial impact hazard and role of impacts in origin and destiny of life Fostering interdisciplinary communication among planetary scientists and improving dialog between planetary scientists and the lay public