HIGP researcher Kazuhide Nagashima recognized for outstanding contributions

Kazuhide Nagashima

Kazuhide Nagashima, research specialist in SOEST’s Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, was elected as a Fellow of The Meteoritical Society in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of meteoritics. This honor is reserved for only 1% of the membership every two years.

Nagashima studies chemical and isotopic compositions of primitive meteorites to understand the Solar System’s earliest history. His research has produced high quality isotope data from meteorites’ components which have resulted in important discoveries in cosmochemistry.

“Kazu is an outstanding scientist, and I am delighted that his contributions to our understanding of the processes that led to the formation and development of our Solar System have been recognized,” said Rob Wright, HIGP director. “It is also worth noting that in addition to his work as a researcher he is also an accomplished instrument developer.”

Nagashima is the manager of the W.M. Keck Cosmochemistry Laboratory and is responsible for the operation of the Cameca ims-1280 ion microprobe, for developing new analytical techniques for elemental and isotopic measurements, and for training users of this instrument.  

“His work managing HIGP’s Keck Cosmochemistry Laboratory has kept that facility as one of the best of its kind in the world,” said Wright.

When asked about the significance of this award, Nagashima said, “This is absolutely thanks to all colleagues I’ve worked with and I cannot thank them enough.”