Mark A. Sephton

Mark A. Sephton is a Professor of Organic Geochemistry at Imperial College London's Department of Earth Science and Engineering, part of the Faculty of Engineering. His research focuses on astrobiology, space missions (e.g., Europa Clipper and Mars Sample Return), meteorites, and planetary protection. He has held leadership roles including Head of Department (2016–2021), Director of the Imperial Space Lab (2015–2016), and chairs multiple national/international committees. Sephton has published over 250 articles and co-founded the carbon removal startup CO2CO in 2021. He serves on editorial boards for journals like Frontiers in Space Technologies and Astrobiology. Notable awards include an asteroid named in his honor (7552 Sephton) by the International Astronomical Union in 2006.

Education

• PhD in Organic Compounds in Meteorites (2000), Open University
• MSc in Organic Geochemistry (1996), Newcastle University
• BSc in Geology (1993), Durham University

Research Interests
His work integrates analytical chemistry, astrobiology, and space exploration. Key areas include detecting life on icy moons via mass spectrometry (e.g., MASPEX on Europa Clipper), studying meteorite organic matter (e.g., Winchcombe meteorite), and mitigating contamination risks in Mars Sample Return. He develops terrestrial applications from space research, such as environmental geochemistry and carbon sequestration.

Grants & Funding
Funded by STFC, UKSA, and The Leverhulme Trust for projects including planetary protection protocols, Europa habitability, and Mars Sample Return sample analysis.

Labs/Teams
Imperial College Organic Geochemistry Group, Impacts and Astromaterials Research Centre, and the Space Lab. Collaborates with NASA, ESA, and international teams on missions like ExoMars and Perseverance rover operations.