This page contains the details of my technical writing background, and some general information on my writing experience. Again, all my publications specific to my research science are listed in my Research Publications Page. Below are the details of my writing experience which did not lead directly to scientific papers or abstracts. I have also included experience as and editor and peer reviewer of scientific proposals and documents, as well as seminar participation.

Proposals:

• NASA - Planetary Geology and Geophysics Program
  • Principal Investigator and primary author of a proposal (2000) to the NASA PGG program to study the formation of secondary swarms, crater clusters, and patterned crater ejecta on Mars, the Moon, Earth, and Venus. Proposed budget included money for salaries, travel, support staff, supplies, publications, equipment and overhead. Total budget proposed for the three-year project, $127,943. Proposal currently in review at NASA.
  • Co-Investigator and assisting author of a proposal (1999) and progress report (2000) to the NASA PGG. Title of three year proposal was "Impact Cratering Rates During the Past Billion Years". Total budget proposed for the three-year project, $218,199.
  • Peer reviewer of proposals for the NASA PGG program. This includes assessing proposals for scientific merit, technical feasibility, and for justification of proposed funds. A writeup of the review, comments and recommendations is then submitted to the appropriate NASA panel.
    

• NASA - Mars Data Analysis Program
  • Principal Investigator and primary author of a proposal (2000) to the NASA MDAP to study the ages of volcanic terrains in the Olympus Mons/Tharsis Volcanic Shield region of Mars. Proposed budget included money for salaries, travel, support staff, supplies, publications, equipment and overhead. Total budget proposed for the three-year project, $251,851. Proposal currently in review at NASA.
  • Co-Investigator and assisting author of progress report (2000) to the NASA MDAP to study Martian channel formation, young lava flows, impactor rates, and crater morphologies. Total budget proposed for the three-year project, $265,882.
    

• NASA - Education and Public Outreach Program
  • Principal Investigator and primary author of a proposal (2000) to the NASA E/PO program to produce a series of math/science teaching modules in conjunction with a math teacher and Tucson area schools. Proposed budget included money for salaries, supplies, equipment and overhead. Total budget proposed for the three-year project, $27,951. Proposal currently in review at NASA.
    

• NASA - Graduate Student Researchers Program
  • Primary author and researcher of proposals (1994-1996) to the NASA GSRP. The title of my 1996 proposal was "Experimental Investigation of Impact Cratering Processes by Implementation of Laser Gas Extraction Technology". Proposed budget included money for salary, travel, supplies, publications, and equipment. Total budget proposed for each year, $22,000.
    

• University of Arizona - Department of Planetary Sciences
  • Primary author of a proposal (1994) to the Department Head to obtain funds for a graduate research field trip of 25 students to Yellowstone National Park. Proposed budget included money for air fare, rental vehicles, honoraria for invited speakers, gas, park fees and miscellaneous expenses. Total budget to conduct the trip, approximately $11,000.
  • Primary author of a proposal (1998) to the Department Head to obtain funds for an annual graduate student run departmental conference of approximately 80 attendees. Proposed budget included money for breakfasts, lunches, supplies, abstract volume, AV equipment, and honararia for invited speakers. Total budget for each year of the conference, approximately $9,000.
    

• EMA - Excellence in Managed Automation
  • Edited text, produced graphs, plots and schematics, formatted pages, collated and published several proposals for contract work. Proposals were drafted by engineering and computer staff to bid for long-term contracts from the Contra Costa Water District, Colorado River Commission, Greater Vancouver Regional District and other Organizations. These proposals varied in length from 50 to over 600 pages and had to follow a strict and detailed company format.
    

Journals and Newsletters:

• Reviewer - GRL, JGR, and MAPS Scholarly Journals
  • Solicited by several scholarly science journals including Geophysical Research Letters, Meteoritics and Planetary Science, and the Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets to conduct peer-reviews of technical science manuscripts submitted by other scientists for possible publication. Commented on technical merit, feasibility, appropriate use of language and references, and scientific accuracy. Submitted written reviews of this information to the editor of each journal.
    

• Reviewer - Journal of the Tucson Computer Society
  • Conducted user reviews of computer software packages as requested by the Coordinator of Product Reviews of the Tucson Computer Society. Produced a written report on one of these packages which was published in that society's monthly journal.
    

• Editor/Publisher - Group 8 Newsletter, EMA
  • Initiated, edited and published a monthly group newsletter for the software division of the EMA Southwest Region Office. This newsletter contained information contributed by any member of the group covering birthday announcements, policy updates, new contracts, support information, and CADD concerns.
    

• Writer/Editor - Southwest Region Office Column for EMA Today
  • Primary writer/editor for the Southwest Region Office's monthly contribution to the company-wide newsletter entitled EMA Today.
    

Handbooks, Manuals and Abstract Volumes:

• Editor - Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Conference, Handbook
  • Editor of the 1998 handbook and abstract volume for the first year of the Laboratory's annual conference. Included editor's address, conference schedule, and contributor abstracts. Assisted with production and binding.
    

• Editor - Department of Planetary Sciences Geologic Field Trip, Guidebook
  • Edited, compiled, and bound the field trip guide book and abstract volume for the Department's six-day geologic research feild trip to Yellowstone National Park. Guidebook included editor's comments, itinerary, maps, and contributor abstracts.
    

• Editor/Writer - Excellence in Managed Automation, Support Specialist Manual
  • Identified a need for a manual describing the many duties and functions of support staff. As these responsibilities changed frequently, a regularly updated handbook for support personnel was a highly valuable resource. Wrote, illustrated and edited the ~30 page handbook. Bound and published the manual in the corporate style for contract proposals so the manual could serve a further use as an example of one of the primary documents the company produced. Updated the manual regularly.
    

Additional Experience:

• Author - Book Chapter
  • Primary author and researcher of a book chapter (2000) in preparation for the AGU special publication entitled "Accretion of Extraterrestrial Matter Throughout Earth's History". The title of my chapter is "The Lunar Record of Recent Impact Cratering" by J.A. Grier and A.S. McEwen.
    

• University of Arizona - Graduate Writing Seminar
  • Participated in a three-week intensive writing seminar for graduate students. Topics covered proposals, audience, time management, generating ideas, grammar and punctuation review, and one-on-one critiques of writing samples.
    

• Production Manager - Planetary Science Institute/Planetary Society, Instructional Packets
  • Managed production of ten instructional packets about Martian sample return sites for The Planetary Society. Packets geared towards students 10-17 years of age, and included introduction, explanatory text, detailed images for each site, and a glossary. Supervised subordinate group members and participated in writing, editing, and selection of appropriate spacecraft images. Packets currently in production.
    

Back to Dr. Grier's Professional Information Page

Prepared by Jennifer A. Grier
Last Modified: August 1, 2000

For content of this page contact:

Jennifer A. Grier / jgrier@lpl.arizona.edu

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