Committee: Planetary Science Decadal Survey: Mars Panel

Committee Membership Information


Project Title:	Planetary Science Decadal Survey: Mars Panel
PIN:	SSBX-L-08-08-D
Major Unit:	Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences
Sub Unit:	Space Studies Board
RSO:	Smith, David
Subject/Focus Area:

Committee Membership

Date Posted: 08/06/2009

Dr. Philippe Lognonne
Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris

PHILIPPE LOGNONNÉ is the director of the Space Studies and Planetology Team at the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (IPGP). Previously, he was the director of the Département des Estudies Spatiales and later the Département de Géophysique Spatiale et Planétaire, both at IPGP. He is also a professor in Geophysics at the University of Paris VII and IPGP. Major scientific contributions include a complete theory of normal modes for the heterogeneous Earth including attenuation, rotation and lateral variations; a complete theory of coupling between the solid Earth and its atmosphere, for the computation of seismic atmospheric sources or atmospheric seismic perturbations; observation and modeling of Rayleigh waves and tsunami waveforms in the ionosphere; redetermination of the crustal thickness and interior of the Moon from Apollo seismic data reprocessing, including first receiver function study on the Moon; and instrumental development in the field of planetary seismology and participation in the design of the future Moon and Mars network projects. Dr. Lognonné has received numerous honors and visiting positions, including the Institut Universitaire de France Award (2001), the Distinguished NASA Visiting Scientist at JPL (2001), and the Miller Visiting Professor at the Miller Institute for Basic Research at the University of California, Berkeley (2003). He earned his DEA in Géophysique from the Université de Paris VI and his Ph.D. from the Université de Paris VII.

Dr. Philip R. Christensen - (Chair)
Arizona State University

PHILIP R. CHRISTENSEN is a Regents Professor and the Ed and Helen Korrick Professor in the Department of Geological Science at Arizona State University. His research focuses on the composition, physical properties and processes, and morphology of planetary surfaces, with an emphasis on Mars and the Earth. Dr. Christensen is the principal investigator for the 2001 Odyssey Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) instrument and the Thermal Emission System (TES) on the Mars Global Surveyor. He is also a co-investigator on the Mars Exploration Rover missions, for which he is responsible for building and operating the Mini-TES instruments. Dr. Christensen was awarded NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal in 2003 for his pioneering scientific observations of Mars in the infrared, and was elected as a fellow of the American Geophysical Union in 2004. He received his Ph.D. in geophysics and space physics from UCLA. Dr. Christensen has previously served as a member of the NRC Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration (1994-1996).

Dr. Wendy M. Calvin - (Vice Chair)
University of Nevada, Reno

WENDY M. CALVIN is a research associate professor at the Department of Geological Sciences of the University of Nevada, Reno. Her research focuses on understanding the nature and association of water, volatile ices and minerals in order to better understand physical and chemical processes occurring in a variety of planetary and space environments. Her studies include meteorites, asteroids, icy satellites, Mars and Earth. Dr. Calvin helped discover oxygen in the surface of Jupiter’s moon Ganymede, ammonia ices on Pluto’s satellite Charon, and has an active research program to understand the polar regions of Mars. She was a participating scientist with the Mars Exploration Rovers, and she was co-investigator on the MARCI camera for the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Dr. Calvin received her Ph.D. in geophysics from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has previously served as a member of the NRC Review of NASA Strategic Roadmaps: Science Panel (2005), Committee on the Astrophysical Context of Life (2003-2004), the Committee on Origins and Evolution of Life (2001-2004), and the Committee on Planetary and Lunar Exploration (1997-2000).

Dr. Raymond E. Arvidson
Washington University

RAYMOND E. ARVIDSON is chair and professor of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at Washington University. He directs the Earth and Planetary Remote Sensing Laboratory (EPRSL), which is involved in many aspects of NASA’s planetary exploration program, including developing science objectives and plans for missions, participating in mission operations and data analysis, and archiving and distributing data relevant to characterizing and understanding planetary surfaces and interiors. Laboratory personnel have been or are currently involved in the Viking Lander, Mars Global Surveyor, Odyssey, Mars Exploration Rover, Phoenix Mars Lander, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and the European Space Agency’s Mars Express missions. Dr. Arvidson received his Ph.D. from Brown University. Previously, he has served as a member of the NRC’s Panel on Remote Sensing (1988-1990) and as a member of the Space Studies Board (1981-1984). He was also chair of the Committee on Data Management and Computation (1980-1984).

Dr. Robert D. Braun
Georgia Institute of Technology

ROBERT D. BRAUN is an associate professor of space technology at the Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Previously, he worked for sixteen years at the NASA Langley Research Center, where he was responsible for Earth Entry Vehicle technology and flight system development efforts for the Mars Sample Return project and was mission architect for the Aerial Regional-scale Environmental Survey (ARES) Mars Scout mission. In addition to focusing on space systems design, astrodynamics, and atmospheric entry at the Georgia Institute of Technology, Dr. Braun provides consulting services on space systems engineering and analysis, planetary entry, and Mars atmospheric flight. He received his Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronauts from Stanford University. He is currently co-chair of the NRC’s Committee on Review of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concept (2008-2009) and was previously a member of the Committee on New Opportunities in Solar System Exploration (2007-2008).

Dr. David Des Marias
NASA Ames Research Center

DAVID DES MARAIS is a senior research scientist at NASA’s Ames Research Center. He is also the principal investigator of the Ames Research Center team of the NASA Astrobiology Institute. Dr. Des Marais’ research interests focus on the biogeochemical carbon cycle and the early evolution of Earth and its biosphere. He has also researched the stable isotope geochemistry of carbon in lunar samples, meteorites and oceanic basalts, the biogeochemistry of microbial communities in hypersaline environments, and the biogeochemistry of ancient (Precambrian) carbonates and organic matter. He is an interdisciplinary scientist for astrobiology on both the Mars Exploration Rover 2003 science operations working group and the Mars 2005 CRISM infrared spectrometer. He has published over 100 research articles. He serves as associate editor for the scientific journals Astrobiology and Geobiology. Dr. Des Marais received his Ph.D. in geochemistry from Indiana University. He has no prior NRC committee experience.

Dr. Linda T. Elkins-Tanton
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

LINDA T. ELKINS-TANTON is the Mitsui Career Development Chair and assistant professor of geology at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Her research focuses on early differentiation of the terrestrial planets with implications for the formation of mantle reservoirs and the enhancement or suppression of convection, and large-scale dynamic processes in the upper mantle and lithosphere that lead to magmatism. Dr. Elkins-Tanton was awarded the National Science Foundation (NSF) Career Award in 2008, and is a NSF Kavli fellow. She has published dozens of papers as well as a six-book reference series called The Solar System. She is a member of the American Geophysical Union (AGU), the American Astronomical Society (AAS), Sigma Xi and the Geological Society of America. She received her Ph.D. in geology and geophysics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Elkins-Tanton has no prior NRC committee experience.

Dr. Francois Forget
Universite de Paris

FRANCOIS FORGET is a National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) research scientist at the Institut Pierre Simon Laplace at the Laboratoire de Meteorologie Dynamique of the University of Paris. Previously, he was an invited scientist at NASA Ames Research Center. Dr. Forget’s current research interests include Mars climate modeling; analysis of the Martian CO2, dust, and water cycle; study of water-related geological features on Mars; study of the climate on early Mars; modeling of the surface and atmosphere of Neptune’s satellite, Triton; and theoretical studies on extra-solar planets. He was an interdisciplinary scientist for Europeans Space Agency’s (ESA) Mars Express, principal investigator of the Mars Atmosphere Microwave Brightness Observer (MAMBO), and coordinator of the Mars Climate database project. Dr. Forget also developed the first coupled Mars atmosphere-thermosphere model, and he was involved in the development of the first 3-D photochemical model of the Martian atmosphere. He has received several awards, including the Foundation del Duca award from the Institut de France (2007), the Zeldovich medal from the UN Committee on Space Research (2002), and the Bronze Medal from CNRS (2001). Dr. Forget received his M.S in oceanography and meteorology and his Ph.D. in physics from the University of Paris VI. Dr. Forget has not previously served on an NRC committee.

Dr. John P. Grotzinger
California Institute of Technology

JOHN P. GROTZINGER (NAS) is the Fletcher Jones Professor of Geology in the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences of the Department of Geology at the California Institute of Technology. He is considered the leading sedimentary geologist of his generation, and in the course of his research he has shown how Precambrian carbonate rocks reflect Earth’s early tectonic, environmental, and biological evolution. Dr. Grotzinger’s meticulous investigations in Siberia and Namibia have established the time frame and environmental circumstances of early animal diversification. His research addresses the chemical development of the early oceans and atmosphere, the environmental context of early animal evolution, and the geologic factors that regulate sedimentary basins. In 2004, he was a member of the Geology and Long Term Planning Groups for the Mars Exploration Rover mission. Dr. Grotzinger earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Although, he is an elected member of the National Academy of Sciences he has not served on any NRC committees in the recent past.

Dr. Penelope King
The University of New Mexico

PENELOPE KING is senior research scientist for the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico. Her research interests include origin and evolution of planetary interiors and surfaces; the role of volatiles, pH and oxygen fugacity on minerals and melts at high and low temperatures. She also has interest in parameters that affect spectroscopic features of glasses, sulfates and meteorites. As well as analysis of astromaterials--especially novel techniques for analyzing light elements, multivalent elements and trace elements so that we can better constrain genetic processes. She has been published in multiple journals such as the American Mineralogist and the Journal of Geophysical Research. She has received her B.Sc. from the Australian National University and her Ph.D. from Arizona State University. She has no prior NRC experience.

Dr. Paul R. Mahaffy
Goddard Institute for Space Studies

PAUL R. MAHAFFY is the chief of the Atmospheric Experiments Laboratory in the Solar System Exploration Division at NASA Goddard. His primary research interests are planetary science, especially chemical and isotopic composition of planetary atmospheres and comets; advanced instrument development for organic and light isotope analysis in planetary targets; and analog studies for Martian and cometary materials including both laboratory and field work. Dr. Mahaffy is the principal investigator for Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite for the 2009 Mars Science Laboratory, he was co-investigator for the Galileo Probe (focusing on isotopic and compositional analysis of the deep Jovian atmosphere), principal investigator for the Chemical Analysis of Released Gas Experiment on the Champollion Surface Science Package of the NASA New Millennium Mission to the surface of a comet, and he has served on various boards and panels related to Mars science. He received his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Iowa State University. He has no prior NRC committee experience.

Dr. Lisa M. Pratt
Indiana University

LISA M. PRATT is a professor of geological sciences at Indiana University. She was director of the NASA astrobiology team “Life in the Deep Subsurface of Earth and Mars” (2003-2008) and associate dean for research at the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University. Dr. Pratt has served as chair of several committees within the Geological Society of America. She received the Phi Beta Kappa Fellows Lectureship (2004-2006), the College of Arts and Sciences Alumni Distinguished Faculty Member Award (2003), and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Eastern Section, Outstanding Educator Award (2002). Dr. Pratt earned her Ph.D. in geology at Princeton University. She has previously served as a member of the NRC’s Panel on Earth and Atmospheric Sciences (1998-2002) and as a member of the Panel on Sedimentary Basins and Basin Analysis (1989-1990).