Planetary Interior Structure Professors and Supervisors

Naomi Murdochمشاهده پروفایل

پژوهشگر

Higher Institute of Aeronautics and SpaceFrance

Dr. Naomi Murdoch is a researcher at ISAE-SUPAERO where she leads work within the Space Systems for Planetary Applications (SSPA) team. She holds significant roles across multiple international space missions including NASA's InSight and Mars 2020 missions, the NASA DART mission, ESA's Hera mission, and the JAXA MMX mission to Phobos. With a first class MPhys in Astrophysics from the University of Edinburgh (2007) and a PhD in Physics and Planetary Sciences from the Open University and University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis/Côte d'Azur Observatory (2012), she brings extensive expertise to planetary science and space instrumentation. Dr. Murdoch's research focuses on understanding the physical properties and geophysical evolution of asteroids and terrestrial planets, with particular emphasis on how space instrumentation interacts with planetary surface environments. Her work spans planetary defense, Martian atmospheric studies, asteroid surface mechanics, and the development of novel space instrumentation. She has made significant contributions to the first sound recordings on Mars, studies of Martian atmospheric turbulence, and the groundbreaking DART mission that successfully demonstrated asteroid deflection technology. Her recent publications demonstrate expertise across multiple subfields including Martian meteorology, acoustic remote sensing, planetary defense technologies, and small body geophysics. Dr. Murdoch has served as Associate Editor for JGR: Planets since 2023 and actively mentors graduate students, having supervised at least two students to completion of their master's and PhD work. Her laboratory, the Space Systems for Planetary Applications team, focuses on preparing instrumentation for space missions and interpreting planetary data with precision. Associate Editor for JGR: Planets (2023) Principal Investigator for WheelCams instrument on MMX rover Key contributor to SuperCam microphone on Perseverance rover Leadership role in ESA Hera mission Member of NASA DART mission Investigation Team Dr. Murdoch actively supervises graduate students and collaborates with international teams across NASA, ESA, JAXA, CNES, and DLR missions. Her laboratory work focuses on understanding spacecraft-terrain interactions in low-gravity environments, developing novel instrumentation for planetary exploration, and analyzing data from current missions to advance our understanding of planetary bodies. She has contributed to numerous high-impact publications in journals including Nature, Nature Communications, and Geophysical Research Letters, with work that bridges engineering, physics, and planetary science.

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Antonio Genovaمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

Sapienza University of RomeItaly

Antonio Genova is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Sapienza University of Rome, where he has been working since 2019 (initially as Assistant Professor, promoted to Associate Professor in 2022). His expertise spans planetary geodesy, radio science, and spacecraft navigation, with significant contributions to multiple NASA and ESA missions including Europa Clipper, EnVision, BepiColombo, and JUICE. Dr. Genova received his PhD in Aerospace Engineering (2013) and Master of Science in Astronautical Engineering with honors (2009) from Sapienza University of Rome. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Research Scientist and Postdoctoral Associate at MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, with off-campus assignments at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. His research focuses on planetary interior structure determination through gravity field analysis, precise orbit determination techniques, and radio science investigations of planetary bodies. His work has significantly advanced our understanding of Mercury's interior structure (including evidence for a solid inner core), Mars' polar ice deposits, and the geophysical properties of icy moons like Europa and Enceladus. Dr. Genova has developed innovative methods for spacecraft navigation using sensor fusion of optical and radiometric data, and has made important contributions to understanding planetary atmospheres through radio occultation measurements. Dr. Genova's recent publications demonstrate a strong focus on cutting-edge techniques in spacecraft navigation and planetary science. His work spans multiple planetary bodies including Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter's moons, and Saturn's moons. A significant portion of his recent research involves the analysis of data from current and upcoming missions like BepiColombo, EnVision, and Europa Clipper, with emphasis on gravity science, atmospheric studies, and interior structure characterization. Rita Levi Montalcini Award for Young Researchers by the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) (2018) Planetary Science (690) Division Peer Award at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (2017) Dr. Genova has supervised multiple graduate students, including 5 M.Sc. students and 1 Ph.D. student in 2020, and 2 M.Sc. students in 2019. He has served as Co-Investigator on numerous high-profile space missions including Europa Clipper, EnVision, BepiColombo, and JUICE. He was Principal Investigator for a NASA-funded project on 'Solar System Planetary Geodesy Research' (2017-2018) and has been a member of multiple NASA mission teams including GRAIL, LOLA, MRO, and MESSENGER. As Co-chair of the Geodesy and Geophysics Working Group for the ESA/JAXA BepiColombo mission, Dr. Genova plays a key role in Mercury exploration. He is also a member of ESA's Science Program Voyage 2050 Topical Team, contributing to the strategic planning of future European space science missions.

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Giampiero Iaffaldanoمشاهده پروفایل

دانشیار

University of CopenhagenDenmark

Giampiero Iaffaldano serves as Associate Professor in Solid Earth Geophysics at the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management within the Faculty of Science at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. He has held this position since June 2015, following a tenured Assistant Professor role at the Australian National University's Research School of Earth Sciences (2010-2015) and a Reginald A. Daly Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University (2008-2010). His academic journey reflects an international career spanning European, North American, and Australian institutions. His educational credentials include: PhD in Natural Sciences - Geophysics (summa cum laude), Ludwig–Maximilians University Munich, Germany (2007) MSc in Physics (summa cum laude), University of Rome "La Sapienza", Italy (2003) Iaffaldano specializes in observational geodynamics, developing computational models constrained by geological and geophysical observations to understand forces controlling the coupled lithosphere-mantle system. His research integrates forward and inverse modeling approaches with empirical data to address fundamental questions about Earth's dynamic processes across spatial and temporal scales. His work bridges theoretical geophysics with practical applications in hazard assessment and resource management. His recent publication record (2023-2025) reveals a strong thematic focus on plate boundary dynamics, mantle plume influences on plate motions, and earthquake cycle processes. His research spans global to regional scales with particular emphasis on the North Atlantic region (Icelandic plume effects), South American plate boundaries, and microplate systems in Asia and Europe. The consistent presence of high-impact journals like Earth and Planetary Science Letters and Geophysical Journal International demonstrates his standing in the geophysics community. Among his significant scientific recognitions: Elected member of the Young Academy of Europe (2017) Ringwood Fellowship at Australian National University (2010) Reginald A. Daly Postdoctoral Fellowship at Harvard University (2007) Elite Netzwerk PhD scholarship of the Bavarian Government (2005) Professor Iaffaldano has secured approximately DKK 14,000,000 in research funding from major international sources including the Independent Research Fund Denmark, Villum Foundation, National Science Foundation (USA), and Australian Research Council. He chairs the steering committee for DanSeis – Danish National Center for Seismic Instrumentation. His teaching portfolio includes Geodynamics (MSc), Quantitative Problem-Solving in Geosciences (BSc), and specialized PhD courses on plate kinematics. He serves as Associate Editor for Geosphere and has reviewed for premier journals including Nature, Science, and Journal of Geophysical Research. His extensive international collaborations with institutions in Denmark, Australia, USA, Chile, and Europe reflect the global nature of contemporary geophysical research and his leadership in the field.

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