Katherine R. de Kleer

Katherine R. de Kleer is an Assistant Professor of Planetary Science and Astronomy at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), affiliated with the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences. Her research focuses on the surfaces, atmospheres, and thermochemical histories of Solar System bodies, particularly Io’s volcanism, Galilean satellites, and asteroid mineralogy. She holds the Hufstedler Family Scholar title and has received prestigious awards, including the Harold C. Urey Prize (2024) and Cottrell Scholar designation (2024–2027).

Education: B.Sc. in Mathematics and Physics from MIT (2009), M.A. and Ph.D. in Astrophysics from UC Berkeley (2013, 2017). Professional roles include PI on multiple NSF and Space Telescope grants, leadership in telescope committees (e.g., Keck Observatory, ngVLA), and academic teaching (e.g., Ay/Ge 107, Ge 151).

Research Interests:

• Volcanism and tidal heating of Io
• Seasonal evolution of planetary atmospheres
• Thermophysical properties of icy satellites (Europa, Ganymede)
• Asteroid mineralogy and surface heterogeneity
• Multi-wavelength observational techniques (JWST, ALMA, VLA)

Publications: Over 70 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work on Io’s aurora, Ganymede’s CO exosphere, and Titan’s atmosphere using JWST. Her studies emphasize planetary dynamics and surface-atmosphere interactions.

Awards: Recognized for contributions to planetary science, including the Urey Prize for early-career excellence and Kavli Fellowship. Her research bridges observational astronomy and geological processes, advancing understanding of Solar System evolution.

Grants/Advising: Over $2 million in grants as PI, mentoring 15+ students across PhD, SURF, and undergraduate programs. Active in science outreach, including public lectures and eclipse events.

Labs/Teams: Leads the de Kleer Research Group, collaborates with international teams (e.g., ISSI, NASA missions), and participates in telescope instrument development (e.g., SCALES, VIPER).