Michael Mengason

Staff Employment

August 2015 to present	Research Geologist (Postdoctoral ) – National Institute of Standards and Technology, MD Developing methods for quantitative SDD-EDS analysis of geologic materials and analysis of particle evidence from trace fibers for forensic applications
Fall 2013 to Spring 2015	Visiting Assistant Professor – Towson University, Towson, MD Mineralogy, Historical Geology, and Physical Geology
Fall 2012 to Spring 2013	Visiting Assistant Professor – Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Field Course in Geology: Bedrock Geology of Washington, DC, and Field Course in Geology: Geology of Shenandoah National Park.
Spring & Summer 2012	Adjunct Professor – Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA Physical Geology and Historical Geology
2009-2011	Research Assistant – Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2005-2009	Teaching Assistant – University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2004-2005	TEM/PCM Analyst – AMA Analytical, Inc., Lanham, MD
2003-2004	Production Manager – Valora Technologies, Inc., Waltham, MA
2002-2003	TEM/PCM Analyst – EMSL Analytical, Inc., New York, NY
2001-2002	Permanent Substitute Teacher – Medford High School, Medford, MA
1999-2001	Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer – Virtual Ink Corp., Boston, MA
1998-1999	Deck Hand – Netanya V (Motor Yacht) 145’, Nassau, Bahamas

Staff Education

Ph.D., Geology	University of Maryland, College Park, MD	2007-2011
Thesis Title: Metals in arc magmas: the role of Cu-rich sulfide phases
M.S., Geology	University of Maryland, College Park, MD	2005-2007
Thesis Title: Experimental study of the partitioning of Cu, Ag, Au, Mo, and W among pyrrhotite and immiscible Fe-S-O and silicate melts
B.A., Geology	Hampshire College, Amherst, MA	1991-1996
Senior thesis title: Mafic stories in felsic rock: schlieren in the Toulomne intrusive series, Yosemite National Park

Publications

Crack Networks and Chemistry in Pyrrhotite-Affected Concrete Extracted from a Massachusetts Site

August 2, 2026

Author(s)

Patrick Dixon, Michael Mengason, David Goodwin, Thomas Russo, Ashley Carey, Osamah Dehwah, Stephanie Watson

Homes in areas of Massachusetts are experiencing issues with crumbling foundations due to pyrrhotite, similar to homes in northeastern Connecticut. A basement...

Crack Formation Modeling in Concrete Affected by Iron-Sulfide Reactions

June 24, 2026

Author(s)

Osamah Dehwah, Nicos Martys, Edward Garboczi, Michael Mengason, Patrick Dixon, Stephanie Watson

Damage in concrete containing sulfide-bearing aggregates has become a critical issue in several countries such as the USA, Canada, and Ireland. This...

Pyrrhotite Reference Material Synthesis

April 4, 2025

Author(s)

Michael Mengason, Stephanie Watson

The mineral pyrrhotite was synthesized from iron and sulfur starting materials for one component in a four-component reference material (RM 8154-Pyrrhotite in...

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Staff Employment

August 2015 to present	Research Geologist (Postdoctoral ) – National Institute of Standards and Technology, MD Developing methods for quantitative SDD-EDS analysis of geologic materials and analysis of particle evidence from trace fibers for forensic applications
Fall 2013 to Spring 2015	Visiting Assistant Professor – Towson University, Towson, MD Mineralogy, Historical Geology, and Physical Geology
Fall 2012 to Spring 2013	Visiting Assistant Professor – Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA Physical Geology, Historical Geology, Field Course in Geology: Bedrock Geology of Washington, DC, and Field Course in Geology: Geology of Shenandoah National Park.
Spring & Summer 2012	Adjunct Professor – Northern Virginia Community College, Annandale, VA Physical Geology and Historical Geology
2009-2011	Research Assistant – Laboratory for Mineral Deposits Research, University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2005-2009	Teaching Assistant – University of Maryland, College Park, MD
2004-2005	TEM/PCM Analyst – AMA Analytical, Inc., Lanham, MD
2003-2004	Production Manager – Valora Technologies, Inc., Waltham, MA
2002-2003	TEM/PCM Analyst – EMSL Analytical, Inc., New York, NY
2001-2002	Permanent Substitute Teacher – Medford High School, Medford, MA
1999-2001	Senior Software Quality Assurance Engineer – Virtual Ink Corp., Boston, MA
1998-1999	Deck Hand – Netanya V (Motor Yacht) 145’, Nassau, Bahamas

Staff Education

Ph.D., Geology	University of Maryland, College Park, MD	2007-2011
Thesis Title: Metals in arc magmas: the role of Cu-rich sulfide phases
M.S., Geology	University of Maryland, College Park, MD	2005-2007
Thesis Title: Experimental study of the partitioning of Cu, Ag, Au, Mo, and W among pyrrhotite and immiscible Fe-S-O and silicate melts
B.A., Geology	Hampshire College, Amherst, MA	1991-1996
Senior thesis title: Mafic stories in felsic rock: schlieren in the Toulomne intrusive series, Yosemite National Park

Michael Mengason (Fed)

Research Geologist

Publications