Hi there!
My name is Erin and I’m an organic geochemist, astrobiologist, and planetary scientist with a passion for unraveling the mysteries of life’s origins and distribution in the Universe—both on Earth and beyond.
My research centers on studying extreme environments across the globe, delving into the ecology and lipid biosignatures (molecular fossils) of microbial communities thriving at the limits of survivability. I use these environments as blueprints to understand where and how life may have lived on other planets, such as Mars, while also advancing our knowledge of life in extreme conditions, which carries implications for understanding the impacts of climate change.
In the past ten years, I have worked as a field team member and organic geochemistry researcher with the NASA-run BASALT program, which explored Mars-like volcanic terrains in Idaho and Hawai’i. I have also developed novel data processing pipelines designed to improve the scientific output of our active Mars rovers. Most recently, I was the principal investigator and leader of a research expedition to Iceland focused on understanding the production and preservation of lipid biosignatures in glaciovolcanic settings.
Additionally, I help operate NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover, which is currently seeking signs of fossilized life on Mars. My role is to design experiments for the SuperCam instrument, which uses a high-energy laser to vapourize miniscule amounts of rocks & soil to identify the precise chemistry of the target. By studying the geochemistry of Mars in this way, we can gain a better understanding of how the planet’s environment has changed over time and how these changes may have affected the potential for life to emerge and survive.
I am equally passionate about making science an equitable career space. I actively volunteer with equity, inclusion, and diversity groups, as well as early career advocacy teams. Additionally, I am enthusiastic about sharing my personal scientific journey through outreach, including public science talks, seminars, workshops, and popular science articles.
Outside of the academic realm, I find joy in exploring the outdoors. Whether it’s endurance running, hiking, scuba diving, or photography, I love immersing myself in nature. I aspire to learn how to fly small aircraft and become a proficient rock climber to continue exploring our beautiful planet from all perspectives!
