Neeraja Chinchalkar

Picture of Neeraja Chinchalkar

Research Interests

Impact cratering, ejecta emplacement, shock metamorphism

Research Topic

Shock metamorphism in impact glass from the West Clearwater impact structure

Current Degree

Ph.D. candidate in Geology and Planetary Science

Past Degrees

  • M.S. Geology:  Auburn University, August 201
    • Thesis Title: Provenance of a boulder-bearing impact breccia from surface outcrops and a drill-core from the Wetumpka Impact Structure, Elmore County, Alabama.
  • M.Sc. Geology: Savitribai Phule Pune University (Formerly University of Pune), May 2017
    • Thesis Title: Characterization of ejecta and products of shock metamorphism from Lonar Crater, India.
  • B.Sc. Geology: Fergusson College, May 2015

Research and Travel Grants

  • GSA On to The Future Travel Grant for OTF Alumni for the 2020 Regional Meeting NE/SE section
  • GSA Pathways Travel Grant for OTF Alumni for the GSA Annual Meeting, Arizona, 2019
  • Barringer Family Fund for Meteorite Impact Research, 2018
  • Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies Research Grant, 2018
  • Barringer Crater Company travel grant for 81st Meteoritical Society Meeting, Moscow,2018
  • NASA travel grant for 81st Meteoritical Society Meeting, Moscow, 2018
  • Geosciences Advisory Board Research and Travel Grants, Auburn University, 2018, 2019
  • GSA On to The Future Travel Grant for the GSA Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, 2018
  • College of Science and Mathematics (COSAM) Travel Grant, Auburn University, 2018

Conference Abstracts

  1. *Chinchalkar N.S., Osinski G.R., Tolometti G.D. and Jaimes Bermudez J.P. 2022. Textural investigation of impact melt along a vertical transect at Discovery Hill, Mistastin Lake impact structure, Canada (abstract #2667). 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Woodlands, Texas, March 2022 (iPoster).
  2. *Chinchalkar N.S. and Osinski G.R. 2021. Shock metamorphism in zircon from West Clearwater Lake impact structure, Quebec, Canada. Geological Association of Canada – Mineralogical Association of Canada Annual Meeting. London, Canada, November 2021 (poster).
  3. Chinchalkar N. S., and Osinski G. R. 2020. Microtextural and geochemical investigation of zircons from the Gow Lake Structure, Saskatchewan Province (abstract #1784). 51st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
  4. Montalvo, P.E., Chinchalkar, N.S. and King, D.T. Jr. 2019. Field Survey of Enigmatic Boulders Within Interior Diamicton at The Wetumpka Impact Structure, Alabama (USA), Large Meteorite Impacts VI.
  5. Kring, D.A., Angotti,L., Bouchard, M., Byron, B., Chinchalkar,N.S., De Graff, S., Déhais, T., Glaspie,L., Hedgepeth, J., Hughes, M., Kaskes, P., MacArthur, J., McGregor, M., Ross, C., Stacey, K., Suarez, S., Verhagen, C., Erickson, T.M. 2019. Traces of Fallback Breccia On the Rim of Barringer Meteorite Crater (A.K.A. Meteor Crater), Arizona. 50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
  6. Chinchalkar N.S. and King D.T. Jr. 2018. Wetumpka Impact Structure, Alabama: Large Oriented Boulders in an interior diamiction, The Geological Society of America 130th Annual Meeting.
  7. Chinchalkar N.S., Hames W.E. and King D.T. Jr. 2018. Shock Effects in Mica and Rutile from Impact Breccia Matrix, Wetumpka Impact Crater, Alabama, 81st annual meeting of the Meteoritical Society.
  8. Chinchalkar N.S. and Duraiswami R.A. 2018. Quenched morphologies in impact glass from Lonar crater, India: role of water? 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.
  9. King D.T., Petruny L.W., DeMarchi L., Chinchalkar N.S. and Adams M.C. 2018. Sub-crater breccias, Flynn Creek impact structure, Tennessee, 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.