Current Research Group
Dr. Mark Salvatore, Associate Professor and Associate Department Chair
PhD, 2013, Brown University (Geological Sciences)
My research interests are multidisciplinary, utilizing many different analytical techniques, approaches, and collaborations to decipher the processes working to modify planetary landscapes. Following the completion of my doctoral work, I was a postdoctoral researcher at the Mars Space Flight Facility in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University from 2013 to 2015. I then joined the faculty at the University of Michigan-Dearborn from 2015 to 2017, where my passion for curriculum development, the educational system, and both undergraduate and graduate mentorship took off. In 2017, I landed my dream job at Northern Arizona University in a department that was rapidly growing, collaborative, and focusing on a new doctoral program in Astronomy and Planetary Science. Since my arrival in Flagstaff, I've been working hard to be the best possible mentor, advisor, colleague, professor, and researcher.
Current CV
Helen Eifert, Graduate Student
BSc, 2018, St. Lawrence University (Geology)
Fourth-Year PhD Student
My geology background has focused on various geomorphic topics including landslides, lake sediments, and reaction wood. I am constantly trying to find ways to combine my geologic interests with my passion for the outdoors with lots of field work and travel. My curiosity for space and childhood dream of becoming an astronaut has led me to want to expand my research to other planets. I am especially interested in active surface processes on Mars and hope to investigate terrestrial analogues in other cold, dry environments, such as Antarctica. Outside of geology, I like to continue to surround myself with rocks and dirt through rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing. You can also find me somewhere around the world chasing a plastic disc, playing elite ultimate frisbee for Texas Showdown or New Zealand at the World Championships '18.
BSc, 2018, St. Lawrence University (Geology)
Fourth-Year PhD Student
My geology background has focused on various geomorphic topics including landslides, lake sediments, and reaction wood. I am constantly trying to find ways to combine my geologic interests with my passion for the outdoors with lots of field work and travel. My curiosity for space and childhood dream of becoming an astronaut has led me to want to expand my research to other planets. I am especially interested in active surface processes on Mars and hope to investigate terrestrial analogues in other cold, dry environments, such as Antarctica. Outside of geology, I like to continue to surround myself with rocks and dirt through rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, and skiing. You can also find me somewhere around the world chasing a plastic disc, playing elite ultimate frisbee for Texas Showdown or New Zealand at the World Championships '18.
Valerie Payre, Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD, 2017, University of Lorraine (Geosciences)
I am a planetary scientist with strong interests in understanding the evolution of planetary bodies, especially Mars. My work crosses several disciplines including geochemistry, mineralogy, igneous petrology, and sedimentology to constrain the evolution of Mars magmatism and assess the nature and structure of Mars' interior. I use various methods including observational rover and orbital data, thermodynamical modeling and experimental petrology. Outside of research, I share my passion for geology with the public and students during various outreach events fostering curiosity and interests for the world and universe surrounding us.
PhD, 2017, University of Lorraine (Geosciences)
I am a planetary scientist with strong interests in understanding the evolution of planetary bodies, especially Mars. My work crosses several disciplines including geochemistry, mineralogy, igneous petrology, and sedimentology to constrain the evolution of Mars magmatism and assess the nature and structure of Mars' interior. I use various methods including observational rover and orbital data, thermodynamical modeling and experimental petrology. Outside of research, I share my passion for geology with the public and students during various outreach events fostering curiosity and interests for the world and universe surrounding us.
Laura Fackrell, Postdoctoral Researcher
PhD, 2021, University of Georgia (Planetary Science/Geology)
Laura's research deals with applications of critical zone science to Earth and Mars focusing on the interactions and dynamics between geology and microbiology in the critical zone. At NAU, she is working specifically on the use of high-resolution remote sensing data to study geological, environmental, and ecological properties in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica, looking to create datasets that will inform species distribution models (SDMs) to help understand the drivers of ecological processes in this harsh desert environment. Laura is also leading the education and public outreach efforts associated with this NSF-funded project, which will include working with local partners in northern Arizona to develop curricular materials to make science (and STEM fields in general) more accessible to students.
PhD, 2021, University of Georgia (Planetary Science/Geology)
Laura's research deals with applications of critical zone science to Earth and Mars focusing on the interactions and dynamics between geology and microbiology in the critical zone. At NAU, she is working specifically on the use of high-resolution remote sensing data to study geological, environmental, and ecological properties in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDV) of Antarctica, looking to create datasets that will inform species distribution models (SDMs) to help understand the drivers of ecological processes in this harsh desert environment. Laura is also leading the education and public outreach efforts associated with this NSF-funded project, which will include working with local partners in northern Arizona to develop curricular materials to make science (and STEM fields in general) more accessible to students.
Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Research Assistants
Hayden Green: Aqueous alteration experiments of Mars analog soils.
Hope Wetzstein: Lab analysis of the spectral and thermophysical properties of olivine-carbonate mixtures for application to Mars.
Haley Matul: Soil moisture calibration of Antarctic and analog soils.
Dede Chapline: (1) Geologic history of Eridania Basin, Mars; and (2) evolution and erosion of Grand Falls, Arizona.
Claire Gibson: CRISM data analysis to quantitatively assess the timing of Mars' alteration history.
Brian Szutu: High-resolution multispectral orbital data processing and calibration.
Hayden Green: Aqueous alteration experiments of Mars analog soils.
Hope Wetzstein: Lab analysis of the spectral and thermophysical properties of olivine-carbonate mixtures for application to Mars.
Haley Matul: Soil moisture calibration of Antarctic and analog soils.
Dede Chapline: (1) Geologic history of Eridania Basin, Mars; and (2) evolution and erosion of Grand Falls, Arizona.
Claire Gibson: CRISM data analysis to quantitatively assess the timing of Mars' alteration history.
Brian Szutu: High-resolution multispectral orbital data processing and calibration.
Former Group Members
Schuyler Borges, 2018-2020, Northern Arizona University
Graduate research assistant, Antarctic ecology and remote sensing
Currently: Graduate Student, the Habitability, Atmospheres, and Biosignatures Laboratory (HABLab), NAU
Katherine Lutz, 2019, Yale University
Undergraduate research assistant, NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) student
Currently: Graduate Student, Dartmouth College
Sarah Lamm, 2018-2019, Northern Arizona University
Graduate research assistant, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) collaborator
Currently: Graduate Student, Kansas State University
Liza Matrecito, 2018, Northern Arizona University
Undergraduate research assistant
Alteration mineralogy observed in Terra Cimmeria, Mars.
Currently: Graduate Student, Rochester Institute of Technology
Katherine Truitt, 2015-2019, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Undergraduate research assistant, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) collaborator
Currently: GIS Intern, Ducks Unlimited
Karin Roszell, 2015-2017, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Post-baccalaureate research assistant, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) collaborator
Currently: Medical Student, University of Michigan
Laura Bossio, 2016-2017, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Undergraduate research assistant
Historical archaeology in the British Virgin Islands
Currently: Graduate Student, University of Michigan
Graduate research assistant, Antarctic ecology and remote sensing
Currently: Graduate Student, the Habitability, Atmospheres, and Biosignatures Laboratory (HABLab), NAU
Katherine Lutz, 2019, Yale University
Undergraduate research assistant, NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) student
Currently: Graduate Student, Dartmouth College
Sarah Lamm, 2018-2019, Northern Arizona University
Graduate research assistant, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) collaborator
Currently: Graduate Student, Kansas State University
Liza Matrecito, 2018, Northern Arizona University
Undergraduate research assistant
Alteration mineralogy observed in Terra Cimmeria, Mars.
Currently: Graduate Student, Rochester Institute of Technology
Katherine Truitt, 2015-2019, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Undergraduate research assistant, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) collaborator
Currently: GIS Intern, Ducks Unlimited
Karin Roszell, 2015-2017, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Post-baccalaureate research assistant, Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) collaborator
Currently: Medical Student, University of Michigan
Laura Bossio, 2016-2017, University of Michigan-Dearborn
Undergraduate research assistant
Historical archaeology in the British Virgin Islands
Currently: Graduate Student, University of Michigan