Matthew Siegler

Matthew Siegler is a Research Professor and Adjunct Faculty at Southern Methodist University, affiliated with the Planetary Science Institute. He holds a B.S. in Physics/Astronomy and Film from Cornell University (2003) and a Ph.D. in Geophysics and Space Physics from UCLA (2011), with a dissertation on 'Evolution of Temperature Driven Stability of Ice on the Moon'.

His research focuses on planetary sciences, thermal processes, thermal/geophysical modeling, spacecraft data analysis (e.g., IR and visible spectrometry), laboratory studies of thermal properties, and solar system volatiles. Current projects include roles as Co-Investigator on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Diviner mission, involvement with the InSight Mars lander thermal modeling, and studies of lunar heat flow and resource prospecting.

Key contributions include work on lunar ice stability, Mercury’s polar climate variability, and thermal modeling of planetary surfaces. His research leverages data from missions like LRO, MESSENGER, and InSight, combined with laboratory experiments on lunar regolith analogs.

Labs/Teams: Active member of the InSight mission team, Vortices (APL SSERVI node), and the Planetary Science Institute. His work bridges spacecraft data analysis, thermal modeling, and laboratory experiments to understand planetary surface processes and volatile preservation.