Tessa Fisher is Assistant Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University, specializing in astrobiology and exoplanet biosignatures. Her research applies ecological and complex systems approaches to detect life beyond Earth, focusing on chemical reaction networks as biosignatures. Research investigates atmospheric disequilibria as life indicators, technosignature detection strategies, and probabilistic frameworks for biosignature identification. Publications examine oxygen detectability in water worlds and subglacial ecosystem analogs for extraterrestrial life. Current projects involve developing multivariate approaches for analyzing atmospheric reaction networks in exoplanet characterization.
James Darling is a Professor of Earth and Planetary Materials at the University of Portsmouth, affiliated with the School of the Environment and Life Sciences and the Department of Environmental Geography and Geosciences. His research focuses on planetary crust evolution, shock metamorphism, and micro-scale geochemical analysis using advanced techniques like atom probe tomography and femtosecond laser ablation. He leads the Centre for Applied Geosciences and the Institute of the Earth and Environment, exploring topics such as Martian magmatism, lunar impact basins, and early Earth crust formation. Darling’s work integrates field studies, lab experiments, and analytical tools to decode geological records from meteorites and terrestrial samples. He supervises PhD students on projects involving ore deposits, impact processes, and planetary evolution. Education : Not explicitly stated in provided texts. Research Themes : Planetary crust evolution, impact events, microstructural geochronology, ore systems, and analytical geochemistry. His recent publications highlight discoveries such as a 4.33 billion-year-old lunar impact basin and insights into Martian meteorite origins. He actively collaborates on international projects, including analyses of returned extraterrestrial samples.
Dr Brendan Scott is a Lecturer in Geotechnical Engineering at the School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, University of Adelaide. He specializes in ground improvement techniques (e.g., rolling dynamic compaction), unsaturated/expansive soils, and lunar geotechnics. Previously, he managed EngTest, a commercial arm of the University’s Civil Engineering School, and held roles in international consulting firms. His research focuses on compaction methods for infrastructure projects, soil mechanics in lunar regolith, and expansive clay behavior in Adelaide's soils. Education Background: PhD/Advanced Degrees: Not explicitly stated, but experience indicates postgraduate qualifications in Civil Engineering. Research Interests: Ground improvement via rolling dynamic compaction (depth of influence, energy transfer). Expansive soils: Moisture-suction relationships, environmental impacts, salinity effects. Lunar geotechnics: Regolith compaction, infrastructure construction on the Moon. His work bridges academic research with industry applications, emphasizing sustainable construction practices and space-related geotechnical challenges. Teaching & Supervision: Supervises Masters/PhD students and teaches courses like 'Unsaturated Soils', 'Transportation Engineering', and 'Geotechnical Design'. Grants & Professional Roles: 2014 Researchers in Business Grant ($50k). Member of Australian Geomechanics Society and ISSMGE. His consulting experience spans major projects in railways, wind farms, and residential/commercial developments across Australia. Labs/Teams: Engaged with EngTest (University’s commercial testing arm) and collaborates on lunar regolith simulation projects.
Luca Caricchi is a Full Professor at the University of Geneva's Department of Earth Sciences, within the Section of Earth and Environmental Sciences. He serves as Secretary of the VGP AGU, IAVCEI Swiss national representative, and editor for Progress in Earth and Planetary Science and Artificial Intelligence in the Geosciences . His research focuses on understanding magmatic processes, including magma transfer in the crust, eruption dynamics, and the formation of magmatic ore deposits. Current projects include studies on volcanic degassing, mineral zoning, and machine learning applications in geosciences. His administrative roles include membership in the Faculty Council, ELSTE council, and SwissSIMS steering committee. He advises multiple PhD and master's students, including Corin Jorgenson and Alessandro Musu. Research is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). His fieldwork and teaching include courses on magmatic processes and field trips to active volcanoes like Mt. Etna.
Hongbo Ma is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois. His research focuses on sediment transport, morphodynamics, and Earth surface processes with applications to both terrestrial and planetary environments. He has contributed to understanding liquefaction risks in urban areas, submarine turbidity currents, delta lobe formation, and comparative river dynamics between Earth and Mars. His work integrates field observations, numerical modeling, and theoretical analysis to address interdisciplinary challenges in environmental and planetary geoscience. Key research themes include: Groundwater-geomechanical interactions in urban settings Submarine sediment transport and channel formation Deltaic sedimentation under tectonic influences Planetary fluvial processes on Mars Avulsion and meandering dynamics in lowland rivers His collaborative projects span international partnerships, focusing on China's Yellow River basin and Martian fluvial systems. Over 39 peer-reviewed publications demonstrate his active research program in sedimentology, geomorphology, and environmental fluid mechanics.
Ingrid Daubar is an Associate Professor of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences at Brown University, specializing in planetary geology and impact processes. Her research focuses on Martian geology, including impact cratering, aeolian processes, atmosphere-surface interactions, and the exploration of Europa. She collaborates with NASA missions such as InSight, Europa Clipper, and Juno, contributing to seismic and imaging studies of planetary surfaces. Daubar’s work integrates orbital data (e.g., HiRISE) and seismic observations (e.g., InSight) to study impact cratering rates, subsurface properties, and seismic activity on Mars. Her research has revealed insights into modern Martian geological processes, including the role of impacts in modifying surfaces and triggering phenomena like avalanches. She also investigates Europa’s potential habitability through the Europa Clipper mission, focusing on geological features and ice-shell dynamics. Her publications emphasize interdisciplinary approaches, combining field analog studies, numerical modeling, and machine learning for impact detection. Key contributions include linking seismic events to impact craters, analyzing ejecta patterns, and characterizing subsurface structure. Despite no listed awards, her work has significantly advanced understanding of planetary surface processes and mission science operations.
Riley M. Fitzgerald serves as an Assistant Professor in the Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace & Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech. He earned his Ph.D. (2021) and S.M. (2018) from MIT's Aeronautics and Astronautics department, preceded by a B.S.E. (2016) in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Princeton University. His research focuses on orbital mechanics, guidance systems, and space mission design, with particular expertise in spacecraft navigation, planetary system analysis, and atmospheric measurement technologies. Ph.D., 2021 - MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics S.M., 2018 - MIT Aeronautics and Astronautics B.S.E., 2016 - Princeton Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering His research spans multiple domains including: Orbital mechanics and trajectory optimization Spacecraft guidance, navigation, and control Multi-planet system orbit determination Atmospheric measurement and remote sensing Space mission design and implementation Spacecraft safety and proximity operations Research trends in his 15 most recent publications focus on: 1) celestial mechanics and trajectory optimization, 2) planetary system analysis, 3) atmospheric measurement technologies, and 4) spacecraft navigation systems. His work integrates aerospace engineering principles with astrophysics applications, particularly in characterizing planetary systems and developing space instrumentation. Scientific recognition includes: Ryan and Krista Frederic Junior Faculty Fellowship Draper Doctoral Fellowship Draper Masters Fellowship Professional service includes membership on the AIAA Space Systems Technical Committee and peer review activities for aerospace engineering journals.
Kathleen Benison is a Professor of Geology at the Department of Geology and Geography , West Virginia University , affiliated with the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences . Her research integrates sedimentary geology, geochemistry, and astrobiology to study acid saline lakes on Earth and Mars. Ph.D. in Geology, University of Kansas (1997) M.A. in Geology, Binghamton University (1993) B.S. in Geology and Chemistry, Bridgewater State College (1991) Her work focuses on systems interactions among lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere in extreme environments. Research methodologies include fieldwork, petrography, fluid inclusion studies, and laser Raman spectroscopy, with applications to Mars exploration and salt mineral analysis. She serves as Science Editor of GEOLOGY and is a Participating Scientist for the Mars 2020 mission. Recent publications emphasize Mars analog studies in Jezero Crater, sulfate mineralogy, biosignature preservation, and Permian acid brine environments. Her lab group (Red Earth Observatory) investigates modern and ancient continental red beds and evaporites. Teaching includes courses like GEOL 101: Planet Earth , GEOL 311: Stratigraphy and Sedimentation , and GEOL 591: Sedimentary Petrology .
Sir Andy Hopper is a Professor and Head of the Digital Technology Group within the Computer Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. He is a Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge. His research focuses on creating a world where everything is always connected in a personalized way and developing sentient computing systems that observe the real world to ensure planetary sustainability. His research interests span ubiquitous computing, sentient computing, distributed systems, computer networking, green computing, and provenance systems. He has pioneered work in location-aware systems, energy-efficient computing, and provenance in distributed environments. His vision extends computing to automatically adapt to real-world conditions for sustainable solutions. Recent publications indicate a strong focus on provenance systems, data reliability in cloud environments, and the integration of renewable energy in datacentre computing. His work often involves collaboration with researchers at the University of Cambridge and beyond, addressing challenges in virtualization, MapReduce, and resource accounting. Professor Hopper leads the Digital Technology Group, which is part of the Computer Laboratory. The group conducts cutting-edge research in networking, systems, and sustainable computing, contributing to both theoretical advances and practical applications in the field.
Prof. Anja Rammig is a Professor at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), holding the Chair of Land Surface-Atmosphere Interactions within the TUM School of Life Sciences. Her research focuses on understanding how terrestrial ecosystems respond to environmental changes such as climate and land-use shifts. She employs integrated model-based and observational approaches to study processes like plant responses to drought, aiming to inform climate change mitigation strategies. Education: B.Sc./M.Sc. in Biology (Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg) and Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences (ETH Zurich, 2006). Professional Journey: Postdoctoral roles at the SLF Davos, Lund University, and PIK, before joining TUM as Assistant Professor in 2015 and advancing to full Professor. Her research emphasizes modeling ecosystem dynamics under climate extremes, with particular attention to the Amazon rainforest, European forests, and boreal landscapes. Key themes include CO2 fertilization effects, phosphorus cycling limitations, and the interplay between vegetation and atmospheric processes. She leads interdisciplinary projects like AmazonFACE, a large-scale CO2 enrichment experiment. Publications span topics from drought impacts to model development, with a focus on global carbon cycle projections and ecosystem resilience. Her work bridges ecology, climatology, and policy, contributing to climate-smart forestry strategies and biodiversity conservation frameworks.
Alexandre Strapasson is an Honorary Lecturer at Imperial College London's Centre for Environmental Policy (CEP) within the Faculty of Natural Sciences, and a permanent faculty member at the University of Brasilia (UnB), leading the Earth Futures Lab at the Centre for Sustainable Development. His research focuses on climate change, energy transition, land use dynamics, bioenergy systems, and planetary boundaries. He holds a PhD from Imperial College London and a Postdoc in Sustainability Science from Harvard University's Belfer Center, where he was a Research Fellow. Education: PhD in Environmental Research (Imperial College London), MSc in Energy (University of São Paulo), Engineer's degree in Agronomy (Federal University of Paraná). Certifications: Chartered Engineer (CONFEA/CREA), Earth Charter Educator (UNESCO). Languages: Fluent in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. His work includes leadership roles in the Global Calculator initiative and EU Climate-KIC projects. He previously served as Director of Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) Bioenergy Department and UNDP consultant for climate negotiations. His research bridges academia, policy, and industry through system dynamics models and interdisciplinary approaches. Key contributions include advancing bioenergy sustainability frameworks, land-use policy analysis, and education tools for climate mitigation strategies. Current efforts focus on Earth System Governance and Brazil's energy transition pathways.
Jonathan Rae is a Professor in the Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University. His research focuses on space physics, plasma dynamics, and solar-terrestrial interactions, with a particular emphasis on magnetospheric processes, radiation belt dynamics, and space weather effects. He holds a PhD in Physics awarded in 2001. His work spans experimental analysis of geomagnetic storms, planetary magnetospheres (e.g., Jupiter), and the development of predictive models using machine learning techniques. Key research interests include: Geomagnetic storm evolution and radiation belt electron behavior Jupiter’s ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling mechanisms Space weather impacts on critical infrastructure Magnetic reconnection and plasma turbulence in Earth’s magnetotail Collaborations include international projects like the STFC Consolidated Grant for Solar and Space Physics, focusing on solar wind-magnetosphere interactions. His recent work highlights advancements in understanding Relativistic electron pitch angle distributions during geomagnetic disturbances Chorus wave-driven electron loss mechanisms Machine learning applications for neutral density modeling He has contributed to over 123 peer-reviewed publications and led research on Jupiter’s X-ray aurorae, lunar surface hydration via Earth wind, and UK geomagnetic hazard forecasting. Awards include high citation counts (2557 total) reflecting his impactful contributions to heliophysics and planetary science.
Professor Roman Pevzner is a faculty member at Curtin University's School of Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS), part of the Faculty of Science and Engineering. He holds the academic rank of Professor and serves in the Office of the Provost. His research focuses on exploration seismology, borehole seismic techniques, time-lapse seismic monitoring, and CO2 geosequestration. He earned his PhD in Geophysics from Lomonosov Moscow State University in 2004. His research interests span seismic anisotropy, attenuation, and data processing algorithms. He has contributed extensively to carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects, notably the CO2CRC Otway Project, where he applied distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) for monitoring CO2 plumes and reservoir changes. His work integrates advanced geophysical techniques like DAS and machine learning for noise reduction and seismic event detection. Publications highlight innovations in DAS applications, including coal seam exploration, fault zone monitoring, and underwater acoustic sensing using dark fiber. His research emphasizes practical solutions for CCS monitoring, seismic imaging in challenging environments, and automated risk detection in CO2 storage. Prof. Pevzner collaborates with global institutions and has participated in projects such as the Otway Stage 3 field experiment and the Harvey-3 well studies. His contributions bridge academia and industry, advancing sustainable geophysical practices and environmental monitoring technologies.
David Akin is a Professor and Director of the Space Systems Laboratory at the University of Maryland's A. James Clark School of Engineering, within the Department of Aerospace Engineering. He holds an AIAA Associate Fellow and Distinguished Lecturer title, with professional roles in multiple NASA committees and AIAA technical groups. His research focuses on space systems, EVA robotics, and human factors in exploration, supported by NSF grants and collaborations with NASA programs like ASTEP and RASC-AL. Education: B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in Aeronautics & Astronautics from MIT Research interests include planetary exploration robotics (e.g., BioBot suit), telerobotics, lunar base design, and space utility vehicles. Key projects involve Martian sampling systems, morphing spacesuits, and rover-based EVA support. His work bridges academia and industry through student competitions (e.g., winning RASC-AL awards) and advanced laboratory facilities like the Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility. Recent articles emphasize BioBot mobility systems, lunar habitat logistics, and exoskeleton teleoperation. Awards include AIAA recognition and leadership in NASA's Mars Exploration Program. Labs include the Space Systems Lab and Maryland Robotics Center, advancing technologies for next-generation space missions.
Dr. Christopher Rüger is a research group leader and habilitation candidate at the Chair of Analytical Chemistry, University of Rostock, within the Interdisciplinary Faculty Life Light & Matter. He leads the 'High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry' group and has been active in research since 2015, following his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Chemistry from the same university. He completed his doctorate in 2018 and held a postdoctoral position at the University of Rouen, France, before returning to Rostock in 2019. Research Interests: His work focuses on developing and applying advanced mass spectrometry techniques, particularly high-resolution and FT-ICR MS, coupled with thermal analysis and novel ionization methods (photo-, laser-, chemical ionization). He investigates complex materials including petroleum, bitumen, aerosols, polymers, and combustion particulates, with applications in energy, environmental science, and materials chemistry. The trend in his recent publications shows a strong emphasis on molecular-level characterization of complex organic mixtures using hyphenated analytical techniques. His research bridges analytical chemistry with environmental, materials, and astrochemistry, particularly through collaborations on ship emissions, wildfire particulates, Titan’s atmospheric analogs, and polymer degradation. He frequently employs ion mobility spectrometry and innovative data processing to enhance structural elucidation. Scientific Recognition: No formal scientific awards or fellowships are listed in the provided texts. Advising and Grants: While no formal students are listed, Dr. Rüger leads a research group and collaborates widely. He is involved in several funded projects, including the European Network of FT-ICR MS Centers, the AerOrbi Eurostars project on aerosol photoionization, SAARUS (scrubber emissions), TBI (thermolysis reactor development), and a DFG-RFBR German-Russian collaboration on wildfire particulates. These projects reflect his interdisciplinary approach and international collaborations, particularly with the iC2MC Lab in France. Laboratories and Teams: He heads the 'High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry' research group at the University of Rostock and maintains a close collaboration with the iC2MC (International Complex Matrices Molecular Characterization) Lab at CNRS, France. His work is conducted within the Department of Analytical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, under the interdisciplinary umbrella of 'Life – Light – Matter,' facilitating cross-domain research.
