Penelope L. King

Penelope L. King is a Professor at the Research School of Earth Sciences (RSES) at The Australian National University (ANU). She has held significant roles, including Associate Dean (Research) in the College of Science (2021–2023) and Senior Fellow with the Institute for Climate, Energy & Disaster Solutions (ICEDS). Her research focuses on planetary geochemistry, particularly volatile species (C-O-H-S) in planetary systems, with extensive contributions to Mars exploration via the Curiosity rover's APXS instrument. She is a Fellow of the Geochemical Society, AGU, and MSA, and has received prestigious awards like the AGU Joanne Simpson Medal (2019) and NASA Group Award for MSL (2013, 2015).

Educated at ANU, she holds a PhD (Geosciences) and a Bachelor of Science (Geology). Her work bridges experimental petrology, spectroscopy, and field studies, addressing planetary atmospheres, mineral formation, and climate regulation. She has led international collaborations, including roles in the Mars Science Laboratory and advisory boards for NASA and the National Research Council. Her recent projects include studying geochemical fractionation in planetary crusts and developing methods for mineral carbonation.

King has supervised numerous research students and edited key journals like Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. Her groundbreaking studies on Mars' sulfur mobility, lunar volcanic degassing, and heritage material conservation highlight her interdisciplinary impact. She is a vocal advocate for equity and diversity in academia, recognized by the Clare Burton Award (2017).