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The American geolog and baritone singer, Steven M. Chemtob, was born in Washington, D.C. and grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland. He has always been very passionate about the outdoors, and first developed an interest in geology through earth science classes in middle school and high school. He attended Mongtomery Blair High School and attended the Math, Science and Computer Science Magnet there. As a high school senior, he had his first research experience working at the University of Maryland with Professor Phil Candela, studying the chemical weathering of ultramafic rocks under various atmospheres. He attended Washington University in St. Louis (2002-2006) as an undergraduate to pursue his interest in geology. He participated in the Pathfinder Program in Environmental Sustainability, run by Professor Ray Arvidson. He received a B.A. in 2006 with double majors in Earth and Planetary Sciences and Environmental Studies, with a minor in economics. At Washington University, he worked with Ray Arvidson and Professor Brad Jolliff, developing his interest in spectroscopy and Mars analog studies. He began his work on Hawaiian silica coatings there, and also studied the Raman spectroscopic properties of efflorescent sulfates from the Rio Tinto in southwestern Spain.
After finishing his undergraduate degree, Steven Chemtob worked as a park ranger (interpretation and park geology) at Craters of the Moon National Monunment in Arco, ID, as part of the GSA GeoCorps America program (June-August 2006). He arrived at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in August 2006 to start his Ph.D. in geochemistry, working primarily with Professor George Rossman. He recieved his Master's in June 2008 , and his Ph.D. in Geochemistry in 2012. Since January 2013, he is Postdoctoral Research Associate at Washington University in St. Louis.
Outside of science, Steven Chemtob is passionate about hiking, climbing, and vocal music. He has been involved in vocal music his entire life, but started formal training at Washington University in 2004. At Washington University (WU), he was assistant director of the WU Concert Choir for one year, and the musical director of More Fools than Wise, WU's student-run chamber choir, for two years. At Caltech, he has been a member of the Men's Glee Club and Chamber Singers. He has performed numerous solos with the Glee Clubs at their concerts, notably the baritone solo of the Johannes Brahms' Requiem in 2008. Since September 2009, he sings with the Los Angeles Master Chorale, L.A.'s premiere professional chorus (August 2009-August 2012). He performs as a soloist and chorister in other venues around the Los Angeles area. Steven also has a varied solo repertoire, specializing in art song. He presented a voice recital on October 29, 2009, featuring Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe song cycle. Steven also plays the piano and guitar (his debut public guitar performance was at Zilchbrau 2009) |
