Matthew Pasek is a professor in School of Geosciences at USF. He joined USF in 2009, after receiving his BS in Chemistry and Geology from the College of William and Mary, and a PhD in planetary science from the University of Arizona. He teaches geochemistry courses at the undergraduate and graduate level. Dr. Pasek's research interests are in the field of geochemistry, cosmochemistry, and the scientific understanding of the origin of life. His research focuses around the element phosphorus, and how the first phosphorus molecules were incorporated into early life or the chemistry that preceded life. In addition, his work focuses on chemical changes of phosphorus and the properties of these changes on extraterrestrial minerals and on other planets, as well as by biology on the earth. In addition to studies of phosphorus, Dr. Pasek studies the formation of rocks formed by lightning strikes, termed fulgurites, which are some of the few metamorphic rocks known to Florida. His research has been supported both by NASA and the NSF.