Dr. Ramos is a radiogenic isotope geochemist. He interests include understanding how rapidly magmas evolved and the processes that cause volcanic eruptions. He and his students work on active volcanoes associated with ocean islands (Canaries, Azores, Hawaii), mid-ocean ridges and arcs (Juan de Fuca Ridge and Tonga), and volcanoes on the continents (Valles caldera, Changbaishan volcano). He, and his collaborators, also evaluate behaviors of ancient southwest US and Peruvian peoples, how ore deposits form, and develop and refine new dating methods to evaluate geologic processes.