Scientific Staff

LPI's science team pursues innovative research, supports NASA programs, provides a connection to the university scientific community, and contributes scientific knowledge and expertise to all of the Institute's programs and activities.

Science Positions Available  

Staff Scientists

Dr. Walter Kiefer
Dr. Walter S. Kiefer

Interim Director
Gravity modeling and numerical simulations to constrain the internal structure and tectonic, volcanic, and thermal evolution of Mars, Venus, differentiated asteroids, and the Moon.
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Dr. J. Brian Balta
Dr. J. Brian Balta

Staff Scientist
Using experiments, modeling, and analyses of planetary samples to understand the generation of igneous rocks throughout the solar system.
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Dr. Cyrena Goodrich
Dr. Cyrena A. Goodrich

Senior Staff Scientist
Studies the mineralogy, petrology and geochemistry of meteorites derived from asteroids and uses the data to understand early solar system processes such as accretion and differentiation of planetesimals.
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Dr.Dr. David A. Kring
Dr. David A. Kring

Principal Scientist
Extraterrestrial sample analysis and terrestrial field work on fundamental geological processes such as impact cratering, and their implications for the origin and evolution of life.
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Dr. Kennda L. Lynch
Dr. Kennda L. Lynch

Staff Scientist
Studies life in extreme environments on Earth as models for characterizing habitable environments and searching for biosignatures on other planetary bodies in our solar system and elsewhere.
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Dr. Prajkta Mane
Dr. Prajkta Mane

Staff Scientist
Studies chemical, isotopic, and microstructural composition of various astromaterials to understand the origin and evolution of our solar system. View Profile 

Dr. German Martinez
Dr. Germán Martínez

Senior Staff Scientist
Studies the formation of aqueous saline solutions (brine) on Mars and in the Icy Worlds, the solar UV and atmospheric longwave radiative environment on Mars, and the regolith-atmosphere interactions on Mars.
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Dr. Patrick J. McGovern
Dr. Patrick J. McGovern

Senior Staff Scientist
Geophysical analysis of volcanic/tectonic features and crustal/lithospheric structures of the terrestrial planets and moons.
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Dr. Laura E. Rodriguez
Dr. Laura E. Rodriguez

Staff Scientist
Studies the origins of life, abiotic organic chemistry, and chemometrics to understand how geochemical environments drive the chemical evolution of organic materials.
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Dr. Paul M. Schenk
Dr. Paul M. Schenk

Senior Staff Scientist
Geologic and topographic mapping and cratering studies to determine the geologic evolution and history of icy satellites.
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Dr. Julie Stopar
Dr. Julie D. Stopar

Senior Staff Scientist
Studies the formation and evolution of lunar impact craters, volume-limited volcanism, and regolith at the meter-scale and is part of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) team.
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Dr. Allan H. Treiman
Dr. Allan H. Treiman

Principal Scientist
Geochemistry, petrology, and geology of solid bodies in the inner solar system, emphasizing igneous rocks and metamorphism. Targets include Mars, Venus, and the Moon, with a focus on martian meteorites and the Mars rover missions.
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Urey Postdoctoral Fellow

Dr. Matthew Weller
Dr. Matthew Weller

Urey Fellow
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Postdoctoral Fellows

Dr. Candice Bedford
Dr. Thomas Barrett

Postdoctoral Fellow
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Dr. Anthony M. Gargano
Dr. Anthony Gargano

Postdoctoral Fellow
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Dr. Nicole Nevill
Dr. Nicole Nevill

Postdoctoral Fellow
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Dr. Aditi Pandey
Dr. Aditi Pandey

Postdoctoral Fellow
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Dr. Rachel Slank
Dr. Rachel Slank

Postdoctoral Fellow
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Heritage Fellow

Dr. David Mittlefehldt
Dr. David Mittlefehldt

Heritage Fellow
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Emeritus Scientist

Dr. Virgil Sharpton

Visiting Scientists

Dr. Lisa R. Gaddis
Dr. Lisa R. Gaddis

Visiting Scientist
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Dr. Jangmi Han
Dr. Jangmi Han

Visiting Scientist
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Dr. Susanne Schwenzer
Dr. Susanne Schwenzer

Visiting Scientist
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Dr. Charles K. Shearer
Dr. Charles K. Shearer

Visiting Scientist
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In Memoriam

We remember with fondness our departed LPI colleagues and friends.

Dr. Robert Pepin
Dr. Roger Phillips
Dr. Graham Ryder
Dr. Paul Spudis

Historic Register of LPI Science Personnel

Scientists, interns, and other researchers listed by year.

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