A5111690401- Planetary Science and Exploration
- Astro and Planetary Science
- Space Exploration and Technology
- Space Science and Extraterrestrial Life
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Spaceflight effects on biology
- Geology and Paleoclimatology Research
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Biocrusts and Microbial Ecology
- Polar Research and Ecology
- Methane Hydrates and Related Phenomena
- Space exploration and regulation
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysis
- Geochemistry and Geologic Mapping
- Nuclear Physics and Applications
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics
- Geological Studies and Exploration
- Lichen and fungal ecology
- Atmospheric and Environmental Gas Dynamics
- Marine and environmental studies
- Biosensors and Analytical Detection
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Big Data Technologies and Applications
- Mine drainage and remediation techniques
- Radiation Effects and Dosimetry
Ames Research Center
2014-2024
Georgia Institute of Technology
2013-2018
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
2017
Pomona College
2017
Cornell University
2012
We determined radiogenic and cosmogenic noble gases in a mudstone on the floor of Gale Crater. A K-Ar age 4.21 ± 0.35 billion years represents mixture detrital authigenic components confirms expected antiquity rocks comprising crater rim. Cosmic-ray-produced (3)He, (21)Ne, (36)Ar yield concordant surface exposure ages 78 30 million years. Surface occurred mainly present geomorphic setting rather than during primary erosion transport. Our observations are consistent with deposition shortly...
Abstract Carbonates are key minerals for understanding ancient Martian environments because they indicators of potentially habitable, neutral‐to‐alkaline water and may be an important reservoir paleoatmospheric CO 2 . Previous remote sensing studies have identified mostly Mg‐rich carbonates, both in dust a Late Noachian rock unit circumferential to the Isidis basin. Here we report evidence older Fe‐ and/or Ca‐rich carbonates exposed from subsurface by impact craters troughs. These found...
In this study, we expand upon the biogeography of biological soil crusts (BSCs) and provide molecular insights into microbial community biochemical dynamics along vertical BSC column structure, across a transect increasing surface coverage in central Mojave Desert, CA, United States. Next generation sequencing reveals bacterial profile that is distinct among BSCs southwestern Distribution major phyla topsoils included Cyanobacteria (33 ± 8%), Proteobacteria (26 6%), Chloroflexi (12 4%), with...
The Mars Curiosity rover carries a diverse instrument payload to characterize habitable environments in the sedimentary layers of Aeolis Mons. One these instruments is Sample Analysis at (SAM), which contains mass spectrometer that capable detecting organic compounds via pyrolysis gas chromatography spectrometry (py-GC-MS). To identify polar molecules, SAM thermochemolysis reagent tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) methanol (hereafter referred as TMAH). TMAH can liberate fatty acids bound...
Abstract Dry permafrost is a challenging environment for microbial life due to cold, dry, and often oligotrophic conditions. In 2016, Elephant Head, Antarctica, was confirmed as the second site on Earth contain dry permafrost. It geographically distinct from McMurdo Valleys where has been studied previously. Here, we present first study of activity, diversity, functional potential Head Microbial activity measured using radiorespiration assays with radiolabeled acetate carbon source at 5, 0,...
Abstract We describe the field demonstration of astrobiology instruments and research methods conducted in from Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) Utah during EuroGeoMars campaign 2009 coordinated by ILEWG, ESA/ESTEC NASA Ames, with contribution academic partners. discuss entire experimental approach determining geological context using remote sensing, situ measurements, sorties sample collection characterization, analysis laboratory, to post advanced laboratory facilities. present...
Dryness is one of the main environmental challenges to microbial survival. Understanding threshold tolerance extreme dryness relevant better constrain limits life on Earth and critically evaluate long-term habitability models Mars. Biomolecular proxies for adaptation growth were measured in Mars-like hyperarid surface soils Atacama Desert that experience only a few millimeters precipitation per decade, biologically active hundred kilometers away two- fivefold more precipitation. Diversity...
With advances in commercial space launch capabilities and reduced costs to orbit, humans may arrive on Mars within a decade. Both preserve any signs of past (and extant) martian life protect the health human crews Earth's biosphere), it will be necessary assess risk cross-contamination surface, blown dust, into near-subsurface (where exploration resource-harvesting can reasonably anticipated). Thus, evaluating for presence biosignatures become critical-path precursor not-so-far future, circa...
Midlatitude ground ice on Mars is of significant scientific interest for understanding the history and evolution stability relevant human exploration as a possible in situ resource. For both science exploration, assessing astrobiological potential important terms (1) life (2) evaluating presence biohazards advance exploration. In present study, we review evidence midlatitude Mars, discuss explanations its occurrence, assess habitability. During course systematically analyzed remote-sensing...
Polygonal features in a ∼250 million-year-old Permian evaporitic deposit were investigated for their geological and organic content to test the hypothesis that they could preserve signature of ancient habitable conditions biological activity. Investigations on rock carried out as part MIne Analog Research (MINAR) project at Boulby Mine, United Kingdom. The edges polygons have higher clay contain abundances minerals such quartz microcline, clays illite chlorite, compared with interior...
Abstract The oldest terrains of Mars are cratered landscapes, in which extensive valleys and basins covered by ubiquitous fluvial plains. One current paradigm maintains that an impact-generated megaregolith underlies these sediments. This was likely largely generated during the Early Noachian (~4.1 to ~3.94 Ga) when most Martian impact formed. We examined geologic records NW Hellas Isidis, include this epoch’s circum-basin outcrops. Here, we show regions widespread, wind-eroded crater rims...
All of humanity is a stakeholder in how we, the planetary science and astrobiology community, engage with other worlds.Violent colonial practices structures--genocide, land appropriation, resource extraction, environmental devastation, more--have governed exploration Earth, if not actively dismantled, will define methodologies mindset we carry forward into space exploration.With sample return missions from Mars underway, maps Moon being produced, private industry progressing toward human...
The Fayetteville Green Lake is a small (0.258 km2) meromictic marl lake that host to thrombolitic bioherm inhabited by coccoid and filamentous cyanobacteria. To date there has been only limited study of cyanobacterial community ecology, none focusing on their molecular diversity. Samples the were collected along vertical spatial transects portion thrombolite in early fall 2010. Cyanobacterial assemblage variability operational taxonomic unit composition was analyzed automated rRNA intergenic...
In 2019, the Atacama Rover Astrobiology Drilling Studies (ARADS) project field-tested an autonomous rover-mounted robotic drill prototype for a 6-Sol life detection mission to Mars (Icebreaker). ARADS drilled Mars-like materials in Desert (Chile), one of most life-diminished regions on Earth, where mitigating contamination transfer into life-detection instruments becomes critical. Our Contamination Control Strategy and Implementation (CCSI) Sample Handling Transfer System (SHTS) hardware...
The quest for past Martian life hinges on locating surface formations linked to ancient habitability. While Mars' is considered have become cryogenic ~3.7 Ga, stable subsurface aquifers persisted long after this transition. Their extensive collapse triggered megafloods ~3.4 and the resulting outflow channel excavation generated voluminous sediment eroded from highlands. These materials are extensively covered northern lowlands. Here, we show evidence that a lacustrine sedimentary residue...
Here, we report the draft genome sequence for a new putative genus and species in Methanoregulaceae family, whose members are generally slow-growing rod-shaped or coccoid methanogenic archaea. The information on this sediment-dwelling organism sheds light prokaryotes inhabiting isolated, deep, extremely cold methane-rich environments.
We used a Mars analog, the Chilean Atacama Desert, to simulate drilling mission Mars, as part of rover astrobiology study (ARADS) grant through NASA's PSTAR Program. Automated from platform within one meter conventional science dig allowed us make direct comparison manned vs. unmanned data return at potential two-million-year-old lake bed/evaporite site near Yungay Station. Science observations soil type and biomolecule content compared well planetary mission-type size distribution, cuttings...
El objetivo de este trabajo es reconocer y caracterizar la diversidad del paisaje Región Inmediata Cachoeira do Sul (REGICS), entendiéndolo como medio producto, lugar condicionantes transformaciones. Para ello, investigación se basó en un estudio teórico-metodológico Ecología Paisaje; el cruce datos e información una interfaz Sistemas Información Geográfica (ArcGIS Pro-ESRI) para crear mapas temáticos; campo. Los resultados incluyen caracterización región, relacionando aspectos morfológicos...