Phoenix Heylighen

I was introduced to the world of micrometeorite research during a small bachelor’s project on micrometeorites. Having loved both chemistry and space for a long time, it felt like everything clicking into place and my biggest interests uniting in an awesome field of research. So I continued in the field with a bachelor’s thesis on chromite crystals in micrometeorites using LA-ICP-TOF-MS mapping, and a master’s thesis comparing the chromite population in ordinary chondrites, micrometeorites, and the fossil record. My master’s internship introduced me to germanium isotope analysis, which I learned to apply to iron meteorites. In my master’s thesis data, I found a curious split in L chondrite chromites, evidencing an  exogenous component. In my PhD research, I hope to explore this further and study the formation and evolution histories of solar system bodies through isotopic analyses. I also enjoy doing outreach activities, in particular focused toward kids and teens, passing on the passion for space research to the best of my ability.

Education

• MSc in Chemistry (Analytical and Environmental Chemistry), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2025
• BSc in Chemistry, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, 2023

Keywords

• Meteorites
• chromite and chrome spinel
• isotopes
• asteroidal parent bodies
• chemistry

Supervisor(s)

• Prof. Dr Steven Goderis