Roger M. Hart

Bio

Dr. Hart loves teaching astronomy, geology, oceanography, and physics! He is passionate about engaging students through exploration, investigation, and discovery. He joined the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) as a full-time faculty member in the Department of Physics and Engineering in 2018.

As a geophysicist, Dr. Hart is broadly interested in exploring and understanding the physical processes and properties of the Earth, other planets, and their surrounding space environments through quantitative analysis. Additionally, he is interested in applying science and science education to practical avenues that benefit the local community.

Join the adventure! Find Dr. Hart's Fall 2025 courses here, all are welcome!

Office Hours

Spring 2025 Office Hours/Help Hours Spring Session II:

Monday: 11:30AM-1PM; 4:30 PM-5 PM, FL 1374

Tuesday: 9:30PM-10:00PM KN 2226

Wednesday: 11:30AM-1PM; 4:30 PM-5 PM, FL 1374

Thursday: 4PM-5 PM, 9:30-10:00PM FL 1374

Zoom by appointment. 

Education

B.S. in Geology, University of Massachusetts Amherst

M.S. in Environmental Sciences, University of Rhode Island

M.S. in Physics, East Texas A&M University

Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences, University of Rhode Island

Classes

Take a look at Dr. Hart's Fall 2025 classes here!

Learning Resources

Take a look at free OER textbooks here!

Selected Publications

*Denotes CCRI student co-authorship. 

1. *Hart, R., Vertullo, I., Fewell, J., & Burns, E. (2025). First-order impact crater geophysics and water-rock interaction analysis at two locations on Mars. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs, 57(3), 409020. https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2025NE-409020
2. *Hart, R., Pereira, K. A., Gryss, M. J., & Vertullo, I. M. (2025). Integrating place-based education & service learning in community college astronomy courses. AAPT Winter Meeting 2025, Astro Poster Session II, St. Louis, MO. https://aapt-wm.secure-platform.com/a/solicitations/85/sessiongallery/3580
3. Hart, R., Kortz, K. M., Kortz, K. M., & Smay, J. J. (2024). Preliminary Feedback on the Development of a Gamified, Data-Rich Solar System Astronomy Course. In Geological Society of America Abstracts (Vol. 56, p. 401890).
4. Hart, R., & Cardace, D. (2023). Mineral Indicators of Geologically Recent Past Habitability on Mars. Life, 13(12), 2349. https://doi.org/10.3390/life13122349
5. *Hart, R., Cardace, D., and Kennedy, H. (2023). Preliminary Magnetic Analysis of Variably Serpentinized Ultramafic Sites in Diverse Tectonic Settings. GP21A-0531. AGU, 2023.
6. Hart, R., & Cardace, D. (2023). Preliminary Models of Mineralogies from Near-Surface Water-Rock Simulations at The Nili Fossae Region, Mars. NEGSA, 2023.
7. Hart, R., & Cardace, D. (2022). The Case for Inferring Martian Paleo-groundwater Compositions from Trace Minerals in Ultramafic Regolith Contexts. AbSciCon, 2022.
8. Hart, R., & Britton, B. (2019). Modeling The Interior of A Super-Earth Candidate From Stellar Metallicities To Infer Geophysical Properties. Bulletin of the American Physical Society, 64.
9. Hart, R. & Cardace, D. (2018) Serpentinization-Driven Habitability in Terrestrial Planet Mélange. Terrains. Goldschmidt Abstracts, 2018 956
10. Hart, R. & Cardace, D. (2017) Modeling Late-State Serpentinization on Enceladus and Implications for Methane-Utilizing Microbial Metabolisms, Abstract P43B-2885, presented at 2017 Fall Meeting, AGU, New Orleans, LA, 11-15 Dec.
11. Hart, R. & Cardace, D. (2017) Terrestrial Planet Serpentinization in Mélange Terrains, Planetary Geology (Posters), Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 2 doi:10.1130/abs/2017NE-291088
12. Stebbins A, Algeo T, Hart R, Krystyn L, Williams J, Brookfield M & Hannigan R (2016) The Early Triassic Sulfur Isotope Curve of Seawater Sulfate from Marine Carbonates in the Neo- Tethys. Goldschmidt Abstracts, 2015 2976

Research Focus

Research that Dr. Hart works on is tailored to each individual student's interest broadly in the fields of: 

(1) Geophysics: Investigating planetary analog field sites, such as ultramafic systems, lava tubes, alpine settings, and impact craters using magnetic, mineralogical, and radiometric surveys and observing space weather and related modeling, using magnetometers and ionospheric monitors. Computer simulations are used to model these locations and apply these parameters and observations to sites witin the Solar System. 

(2) Astronomy: Employing comparative planetary science to understand the habitability of planets, small icy worlds, and super-Earth and Mega-Earth exoplanets, striving to answer one of astronomy's most fundamental questions: “Are we alone?”  by utilizing astronomical observations, and running computer simulations. Ground-based observations are primarily are focused on rocky Exoplanet search projects employing a small 8" telescope, using transit photometry.  

(3) Coastal Ocean Science: Observations and investigations in buoy-less coastal estuaries and the nearshore photic zone (shallower than ~100 m). Research includes using CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) sensors, collecting discrete water samples at various depths for chemical analysis (e.g., dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and carbon content), and employing acoustic profilers, such as echo-sounding devices, for bathymetric studies.

Project funding has been generously supported, especially student projects, by the NASA RI Space Grant Consortium. Contact [email protected] for more information if you'd like to get involved!  

Areas of Expertise

Geophysical examination of planetary analogs and celestial bodies, using comparative planetary science techniques to study rocky planets and icy worlds, with the goal of inferring habitability based on their physicochemical properties. 

Additional Information (Links)

Keep the adventure going and explore our planet and the universe! 

Students at CCRI who are interested in majoring in either Geology or Physics and want to remain instate can transfer to the University of Rhode Island. There is a Joint Admissions Agreement (JAA) with URI in both Geology and Geological Oceanography and Physics.The first two years of your Bachelor's degree will be completed at CCRI all while earning your Associate degree. Once transferred to RIC or URI, JAA students receive the following benefits:

• Up to 30% discounted tuition at RIC or URI depending on your CCRI GPA
• Waived application fee
• Conditional acceptance to URI or RIC
• Personalized advising at CCRI, URI, and RIC
• More than 60 majors to choose from
• Transfer seamlessly as a junior in your major