Assistant Professor
Planetary Geochemistry, Cosmochemistry, & Geoscience Education
Office: 402/07 Davis Hall
Phone: (815) 753-5990
E-mail: kkitts@niu.edu
Ph.D. 2002, Washington University, St. Louis
My scientific research interests include cosmochemistry, geochronology and the use of isotope systematics as tracers for geologic processes. My recent research has involved the determination of the relative and absolute abundances of the transition metals and charge states in implanted solar wind in lunar soils and in Genesis shards via grazing-incidence x-ray fluorescence. Mainly, I am interested in the formation and evolution of the early solar system.
I am also the Teacher Certification Coordinator. Therefore, I am interested in Geoscience Education both pedagogically and practically. I have done research in distance learning and assessment. However, I also enjoy participating in the education of the greater community through public outreach.
Kitts K., Choi Y., Eng P., Ghose S., Sutton S. R. and Rout, B. (2009) Application of Grazing Incidence X-ray Fluorescence Technique to Discriminate and Quantify Implanted Solar Wind Journal of Applied Physics, 105, 064905.
Kitts, K., Perry, E., Jr., Leal-Bautista, R.M., and Velazquez-Oliman, G., (2009), Geological field experiences in Mexico: An effective and efficient model for enabling middle and high school science teachers to connect with their burgeoning Hispanic populations, in Whitmeyer, S.J., Mogk, D.W., and Pyle, E.J., eds., Field Geology Education: Historical Perspectives and Modern Approaches: Geological Society of America Special Paper 461, p. XXX–XXX, doi: 10.1130/2009.2461(22).
Kitts K. (2009) The Paradox of Middle and High School Students’ Attitudes Towards Science Versus Their Attitudes About Science as a Career. Journal of Geoscience Education. V. 57, pp. 159-164.
Zollman A., Kitts, K. Tahernezhadi, M. and Billman P. (2009) Synergy for Science Learning: An interdisciplinary partnership to improve the quality of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. International Journal of Science in Society (submitted).
Choi, Y., Kitts, K., Ghose, S. K., Eng, P. J., Newville, M. and Sutton, S. R. (2009) X-ray standing wave based internal reference method for quantification of implanted atoms. (Submitted.)
Zollman, A., , M., Shaw, C., Kitts, K., Billman, P., Cesarotti, D., Falk-Ross, F., Rahn, R., Smith C., Haji-Sheikh, M., Majumdar, P., Merrill J., and Kullen J. (2009) Teacher as Engineer, Research, Leader: An Interdisciplinary, Synergistic Degree to Advance Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). (Submitted.)
Kitts K., Luo W. and Hung W-C. (2008) Did it ever rain on Mars? A professional development opportunity for teachers and an actual NASA research opportunity for middle and high school students. The Earth Scientist, 27-2, 17-20.
Johnson B. and Kitts K. (2006) Rock Music in the Geoscience Classroom. The Earth Scientist, 22-2, 17-22.
Kitts K., Choi Y., Eng P. and Sutton S. (2009) Application of Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence Techniques to Discriminate and Quantify Implanted Solar Wind in GENESIS Collectors and In Situ Apollo 16 and 17 Plagioclase Grains. North-Central GSA, 43 #156344.
Billman, P. and Kitts, K. (2009) Using a Comprehensive Evaluation to Obtain Federal Funds. North-Central GSA, 43 #156402.
Falk-Ross, F., Ochoa-Angrino, S., Smith, M C., Kitts, K., Perry, E., and Yamagata-Lynch, L. (2009) Teachers’ Integration of Literacy Strategies in Geoscience Education: A Multidisciplinary Initiative. North-Central GSA, 43 #156444.
Smith, M C., Kitts, K., Falk-Ross, F., Ochoa-Angrino, S., Perry, E., and Yamagata-Lynch, L. (2009) Promoting Secondary Students’ Identity Development in Geoscience Education. North-Central GSA, 43 #156524.
Yamagata-Lynch, L., Kitts, K., Perry, E. and Smith, M C., (2009) Using Activity Systems Analysis for Monitoring Teacher Action Research. North-Central GSA, 43 #156581.
Kitts K., Choi Y., Eng P. and Sutton S. (2009) X-ray Standing Wave Based Internal Reference Method for Quantification of Implanted Fe in GENESIS Samples. LPSC, 40 #1439.
Leal-Bautista, R. M., Kitts, K., Velazquez-Oliman, G., and Perry, E. (2008) Enhancing Diversity In The Geosciences; Intensive Field Experience In USA And Mexico For Middle And High School Teachers Serving Large Hispanic Populations. Eos Trans. AGU, 89(53), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstr. ED51A-0553.
Choi, Y., Kitts, K., Eng, P., Ghose, S. and Sutton, S. (2008) Analysis of Implanted Solar Wind via Depth-resolved X-ray Standing Wave Technique. User’s Week APS Abstr. May 4, 2008.
Kitts K., Choi Y., Eng P., Sutton S., Ghose S. and Burnett D. (2008) Discrimination and Quantification of Implanted Solar Wind in Genesis Collector Shards Using Grazing Incidence Synchrotron X-ray Techniques: New Detector Initial Results. LPSC, 39 #1296.
Kitts K., Sutton S. and Newville M. (2007) Abundance and Charge State of Implanted Solar Wind Transition Metals in Individual Apollo 16 and 17 Lunar soil Plagioclase Grains Determined In Situ Using Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence. LPSC, 38 #1106.
Kitts K., Sutton S., Eng P. and Newville M. (2007) A New in situ Method of Determining Relative Abundances and Charge States of Implanted Transition Metals in Individual Grains Using Synchrotron X-ray Fluorescence. LPSC, 38 #1128.
Luo W., Kitts K., Young P., Schwantes F. and Hung W. (2006). “MARS Valley Networks Project: Martian Valley Network Analysis Run-off or Sapping? - A Web-GIS Approach.” Eos Trans. AGU, 87 (52), Fall Meet. Suppl., Abstr. # ED42A-07.
Kitts K., Sutton S., Eng P., Ghose S. and Burnett D. (2006) “Discrimination and Quantification of Contamination and Implanted Solar Wind in Genesis Collector Shards Using Grazing Incidence Synchrotron X-ray Techniques: Initial Results.” Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (abstr.) 37, #1451.
I teach a variety of courses for undergraduate non-majors, undergraduate and graduate students majoring in geology and undergraduate and graduate students in the Teacher Certification program.