People

Dr. Edwards is a planetary geologist and instrument developer. His research focuses on constraining early solar system processes by using the composition, physical properties and processes, and morphology of planetary surfaces. He is a participating scientist on the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover, and has works actively with numerous other NASA Mars missions including the 2001 Mars Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System, Mars Global Surveyor Thermal Emission Spectrometer, and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars.

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Dr. Emery applies the techniques of astronomical reflection and emission spectroscopy and spectrophotometry of primitive and icy bodies in the near- (0.8 to 5.0 microns) and mid-infrared (5 to 50 microns) to investigate the formation and evolution of the Solar System and the distribution of organic material. The Jupiter Trojan asteroids have been a strong focus of his research, and he also regularly observes Kuiper Belt objects, icy satellites, and other asteroid groups to understand the state of their surfaces as related to these topics. Along with telescopic observations, he contributes to Solar System exploration as a science team member on the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission, the Lucy Trojan asteroid flyby mission, and the NEO Surveyor Mission infrared telescope mission.

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Dr. Loeffler uses laboratory experiments to simulate processes that occur in extraterrestrial environments. These studies typically focus on how radiation and thermal processes can alter the physical and chemical properties of the surface with the goal of trying to understand how these environments evolve over time.

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I work on theoretical and computational astrophysics with a focus on planet formation, planet dynamics and astrophysical fluid dynamics. I use super-computer simulations and pencil-and-paper calculations to study how planets, stars or blackholes evolve over short and long time-scales as they interact with surrounding gas to explain their observed orbital properties.

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Alicia earned her BS in Aerospace Engineering and her MS in Forestry from Texas A&M University in 2004 and 2006. She earned her PhD in Geological Sciences from Arizona State University in 2015. Alicia’s research integrates remote sensing, field work, and laboratory measurements to better understand planetary surface processes and the role of climate in alteration processes. She is especially interested in using geochemistry and mineralogy to investigate cryosphere-bedrock interactions on Earth and Mars. Her work in the Department of Astronomy and Planetary Science focuses on investigating the composition and origin of weathering products at Mars analog field sites such as the Cascades Range, Oregon, USA, and the summit glaciers of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Alicia is a team member on the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) aboard NASA’s Mars Odyssey.

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Dr. Salvatore studies the evolution of planetary surfaces and landscapes. His research has focused primarily on Antarctica and Mars, where cold and dry conditions dominate the surface and result in unique geologic processes. His work uses a combination of satellite image analyses, laboratory analyses, and field work. Dr. Salvatore is also a member of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover team.

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I apply spectroscopic and imaging remote sensing techniques to the detection and quantification of volcanic emissions (gases, aerosols, ash, etc.) and surfaces. My research aims to link observable surface signals (from ground-based instrument, UAS platforms or satellites) to the dynamics of eruptive processes, so that we may learn to forecast them and mitigate the risks associated with volcanic eruptions.

I am also interested in the detection and characterization of plumes from wildfires.

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Dr. Tegler uses ground-based telescopes to study the physical and chemical properties of Kuiper belt objects at the edge of the Solar System. In addition, he conducts laboratory experiments to study the physical and chemical properties of ices important to understanding processes on the surfaces of outer Solar System objects. The overarching goal of Dr. Tegler’s research is to better understand the origin and evolution of the Solar System.

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Dr. Thomas uses ground and space-based telescopes to study near-Earth, Main Belt, and Trojan asteroids. Her research focuses on using spectroscopy to study the composition and physical properties of the surfaces of asteroids. She is the PI of the MIT-Hawaii Near-Earth Object Spectroscopic Survey (MITHNEOS) and was the lead of the Observations Working Group for NASA’s DART mission.

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Dr. Trilling studies the small bodies in our Solar System to understand how our planetary system formed and evolved. He uses telescopes all over the world and in space, as well as astroinformatics projects that use archival and survey data. He also has interests in instrumentation, astrobiology, and just about everything else.

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Dr. Trujillo searches for new dwarf planets and minor planets on the outer edge of our solar system. He has been involved in the discovery and characterization of Kuiper Belt Objects, Centaurs, Comets and Active Asteroids including seven of the ten largest dwarf planets in our solar system. He is very interested in data-intensive science and is currently looking for the presence of a possible giant planet undiscovered in our own solar system.

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Mike Gowanlock obtained his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 2015, and was a postdoctoral associate at MIT Haystack Observatory from 2015-2017. Mike is an associate professor in the School of Informatics, Computing, and Cyber Systems at NAU where he works on research in parallel and high performance computing across numerous application areas. His work with the Department of Astronomy & Planetary Science is focused on designing new parallel algorithms to support large-scale surveys, such as the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) and the Rubin Observatory (RO), where high throughput computational approaches are needed to maximize the scientific return of these surveys. Currently, he is working on the Solar System Notification Alert Processing System, which is a ZTF and RO alert broker.

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Dr. Hanley works in collaboration with the NAU Astrophysical Ice Lab to investigate the stability and spectral properties of liquids and ices at low temperatures and pressures with relevance to the outer solar system, especially Titan and Pluto. Other research interests include studying the stability of water on Mars and Europa in the presence of salts through lab work, remote sensing, and telescopic observations.

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In the Lindberg group, we apply theoretical and computational chemistry methods to understand complex, condensed phase systems. We’re generally interested in understanding how it is that ‘molecules bouncing around’ can result in the universe that we see. A few recent projects include investigating astrochemistry of the outer solar system, therapeutic applications of ionic liquids, and ion transport in electrochemical systems.

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Nathan develops software to process thermal infrared spectra collected by the EMIRS instrument onboard the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM). EMM has orbited Mars since 2021, studying Mars’ atmosphere. Nathan creates data visualizations and helps maintain EMIRS’ data processing pipeline. He also organizes mission operations for EMIRS, leading a team to create and verify the commands sent to the instrument. He earned his MS in Applied Physics at NAU in 2018, studying the thermophysical properties of Phobos.

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Dr. Mason’s research focuses on boundary layer processes in the Martian Atmosphere. This includes dust lifting through dust devil and vortex formation, changes in meteorological variables due to large-scale interactions in the atmosphere, and changes in atmospheric aerosols over time. She holds interests in radiative transfer and retrieval of atmospheric properties through orbital and surface observations for Earth and Mars.

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OH/H2O characterization of near-Earth Asteroids.

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Orbital Dynamics and Observations of Small Solar System Bodies; The Active Asteroids Citizen Science Project; NASA’s DART Mission; DEEP (The DECam Ecliptic Exploration Project) Survey; LSST Solar System Science Collaboration; Planet X.

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Characterization of planetary atmospheres via remote sensing and modeling.

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Cheng Ye studies the composition and evolution of planetary surfaces. His research focuses on using spectroscopy from visible to infrared wavelengths through a combination of laboratory measurements, remote sensing observations, and numerical models to better understand the planetary surface compositions and geologic processes.

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Advisor: Christopher Edwards
Research: Amelia’s research involves using THEMIS data to create rock abundance and thermal inertia maps of Mars. These maps will be used to investigate Martian geomorphology and ongoing surface processes.

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Advisor: Mark Loeffler
Research: Laboratory experiments investigating the irradiation of icy moons with a focus on Europa.

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Advisor: Christopher Edwards
Research: My research interests are broad, but generally fall under the umbrella of planetary geology, surface processes, and evolution. I aim to explore these topics through remote sensing techniques and planetary analog study.

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Advisor: David Trilling
Research: Maria is studying asteroids and other Solar System objects through a data science driven approach. She is helping build the Solar system Notification Alert Pipeline System (SNAPS) for LSST (Vera C. Rubin Observatory). Site: https://rc.nau.edu/snaps/about.html.
Interested in the overlap between observational astronomy and the application of data science to large data.

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Advisor: David Trilling
Research: Erin uses data science methods and telescopes to study strange, small Solar System bodies. She works with the Solar System Notification Alert Processing System (SNAPS) to study individual outlying asteroids and explore asteroid activity, in efforts of understanding Solar System formation and development.

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Advisor: Alicia Rutledge
Research: I study Mars analogs through a combination of fieldwork and laboratory analysis. My current research focuses on the mineralogy of glacially altered sediments. Through this, I aim to shed light on Mars’ past glacial history and its implications for the planet’s geological evolution.

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Advisor: Nick Moskovitz (Lowell Observatory)
Research: My research focuses on the small bodies of the solar system (asteroids, comets, and meteors). Past projects include modelling meteor showers in search of long period comets and photometry on faint comets.

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Advisor: Christopher Edwards and David Trilling
Research: Laura is the Instrument Scientist and Ground Support Lead for VISIONS, a student-lead, low-cost, dual-wavelength imager for small-satellite platforms for deep-space/interplanetary missions. In addition, she looks over operation plans and telemetry for EMIRS. Future research may involve thermal roughness and the 3 micron hydration feature on planetary bodies.

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Advisor: Mark Salvatore
Research: My research involves the study of extraterrestrial planets using comparable areas on Earth (terrestrial analogs). I plan to investigate fundamental geologic processes to better understand our Solar System and our Universe at large.

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Advisor: Josh Emery
Research: Observation & characterization of small-bodies; spectral modeling.

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Advisor: Stephen Tegler (NAU), Will Grundy (Lowell Observatory)
Research: Studying volatile materials on Pluto and other outer solar system bodies in the Astrophysical Materials Lab.

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Advisor: David Trilling
Research: I study the small bodies of the Solar System using observational surveys and archival data searches. I’m interested in understanding the connection between these populations’ physical characteristics and their roles in the origin and formation of the Solar System.

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Advisor: Jennifer Hanley (Lowell Observatory)
Research: Studying Titan through a combination of ground-based observations, laboratory experiments, and atmospheric modelling to better understand the global weather patterns and exchange of materials between Titan’s surface and atmosphere.

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Name	Affiliation	E-mail
Will Grundy, Planetary Science	Lowell Observatory	grundy@lowell.edu
Philip Massey, Evolution of Massive Stars	Lowell Observatory	Phil.Massey@lowell.edu
Lisa Prato, Young Binary Systems	Lowell Observatory	lprato@lowell.edu
David Schultz, Computational Astrophysics	Universities Research Association	david.schultz@nau.edu
Donna Weistrop, Astronomy	UNLV/NAU	weistrop@physics.unlv.edu

Name	E-mail
Kathy Eastwood, Ph.D., Astronomy	Kathy.Eastwood@nau.edu
David Koerner, Ph.D., Astronomy	David.Koerner@nau.edu
Barry Lutz, Ph.D., Laboratory Astrophysics	Barry.Lutz@nau.edu