معرفی
Andrew Mullen is a Visiting Scientist at the Department of Astronomy, Cornell University, and a core member of the Cornell Planetary Habitability & Technology Lab. His expertise spans systems engineering, underwater robotics, and planetary exploration, with extensive fieldwork in Antarctica, the Arctic, and deep-sea environments. He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from UC San Diego, an M.S. in Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
Research focuses on developing advanced imaging and robotic systems for ocean and planetary exploration, including the Icefin underwater robot for Antarctic missions and submersible microscopes for studying marine ecosystems. His work bridges engineering and astrobiology, with contributions to NASA missions and the search for life on ocean worlds like Europa.
Key achievements include:
- Lead developer of the Benthic Underwater Microscope (published in Nature Communications)
- Principal investigator on NASA-funded Antarctic robotics deployments
- Conceptual design of VERNE, a subsurface Europa exploration mission
Recipient of prestigious fellowships including the NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) and NSF Graduate Research Fellowship. His research has been featured in Nature, Science Advances, and media outlets like the BBC and New York Times.
Advances include:
- Direct observations of ice shelf-ocean interactions via ROV Icefin
- Development of miniaturized sampling systems for extreme environments
- Pioneering studies on deep-sea brine pool microbial communities
Active in public outreach, with over 150 scientific dives and leadership in Antarctic field training. Collaborations span robotics, planetary science, and marine biology disciplines.
