My research focuses on ocean worlds astrobiology. I model icy ocean world origins and evolution to understand their biological potential through time. I also conduct lab investigations of how subsurface ocean material can be altered during transport to the surface or plumes. In our solar system, icy moons and dwarf planets with subsurface oceans ("ocean worlds") have arisen as prime locations to search for life beyond Earth. Searching for signs of microbial life on these worlds requires: (1) a detailed understanding of the geological and abiotic context (e.g. habitability, sources and sinks of potential biosignatures), (2) the careful design of a suite of sampling strategies, measurements, and measuring instruments, taking into consideration the development of a confidence framework and mission constraints, and (3) spaceflight missions. My research seeks to address each of these needs with the goal of detecting life in the coming decades or understanding why it is absent on a world otherwise found to be habitable. Either outcome would result in fundamental advances in the understanding of the prevalence of biology in the universe.

Research Areas:

Solar System

Exoplanets

Computation and Simulation

Instrumentation

Research Centers & Collaborations: Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology II