Andrew J. Dombard

Andrew J. Dombard is a Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on planetary processes, including crater relaxation, lithospheric flexure, and the exploration of icy moons like Europa. He is a key member of NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, analyzing gravitational data to assess subsurface ocean habitability.

Education:

• BS in Earth Sciences, Haverford College (1994)
• PhD in Planetary Geology, Washington University (2000)

Research Interests: Dombard investigates how planetary surfaces evolve through geodynamic processes. His work spans icy satellites (e.g., Europa, Ganymede), Mars, Venus, and asteroids. Key topics include:

• Crater relaxation mechanisms on comets, icy moons, and rocky planets
• Lithospheric flexure influenced by thermal anomalies and volcanic systems
• Europa’s subsurface ocean and habitability via gravitational modeling

Recent Research Trends: His articles explore icy shell dynamics, Martian thermal histories, and Venusian coronae formation. He combines computational models with observational data from missions like Europa Clipper and fieldwork (e.g., Antarctic meteorite expeditions, Yellowstone studies).

Labs/Teams: Active contributor to NASA’s Europa Clipper Gravity/Radio Science Team. Collaborates globally on planetary science missions and field expeditions.