2011 PLRP Participants

Darlene Lim
Principal Investigator

Expertise: Limnology
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
PhD Geobiology, University of Toronto, Canada
MSc Geobiology, University of Toronto, Canada
BScH Biology, Queen's University, Canada
Full Biography »

Curtis Suttle
MARSLIFE Contract PI

Expertise: Environmental microbiology and virology
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
BSc Zoology (Hon)
PhD Botany
Full Biography »

Allyson Brady
Science Lead

Expertise: Isotope Geochemistry
Affiliation: University of Calgary
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Earth Sciences (Isotope Geochemistry),
McMaster University
Full Biography »

Donnie Reid
Logistics and Operations Manager

Expertise: Underwater Photography & Scientific Diving
Affiliation: Pavilion Lake Research Project
Certification/Education:
Instructor Trainer, Scuba Schools International Canada (current)
CAUS Scientific Diver Instructor
Full Cave Diver, NACS
Trimix Diver, IANTD
Occupationally Certified Diver, WCB
Full Biography »

Dana Lis
PLRP EPO Lead

Expertise: Sport Nutrition
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. Dietetics
IOC Dipl. Sports Nutriton (c)
Full Biography »

Andrew Abercromby
Participating Scientist, Data Management

Expertise: EVA Physiology and Operations, Biomechanics, Research Methods
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Biomechanics & Motor Control) University of Houston, 2006
M.Eng. (Mechanical Engineering), University of Edinburgh, 2002
Full Biography »

Jennifer F. Biddle
Researcher

Expertise: Microbial Ecology
Affiliation: University of Delaware
Certification/Education:
PhD, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pennsylvania State University, 2006
BS, Biotechnology, Rutgers University, 1999
Full Biography »

Sherry Cady

Expertise: Astrobiology, Biosignatures, Geomicrobiology
Affiliation: Portland State University

Zena Cardman
Field Assistant

Expertise: Microbial Ecology
Affiliation: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. (Biology and Marine Science), UNC Chapel Hill, 2010
Full Biography »

Amy M Chan
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Aquatic Microbiology & Virology
Affiliation: Earth & Ocean Sciences, University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
BSc. (Biology) University of British Columbia
Full Biography »

Tamar Cohen

Expertise: Software Development, Computer / Human Interaction
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center, Stingher Ghaffarian Technologies Inc.
Certification/Education:
IM.A. Visual Information Technology, George Mason University
B.S. Computer Science, Cornell University
Full Biography »

Matthew Deans
Participating Scientist, Science Stenographer

Expertise: Robotics, Mapping, Geoinformatics
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
P.h.D. in Robotics, Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute

Full Biography »

Bill Dearing
Communication and Video Systems

Expertise: Telescience and Network Engineering
Affiliation: Kennedy Space Center, FL
Certification/Education:
B.S. (Chemical Engineering) Tennessee Technological University
Full Biography »

Mike Delaney
Assistant Dive Safety Officer

Expertise: Scientific Diving
Affiliation: The Edge Diving Centre
Certification/Education:
Master Instructor, PADI
Emergency First Response
Instructor Trainer, PADI
KISS Closed Circuit Rebreather Diver, TDI
Full Biography »

Michael Downs
Comms Team

Expertise: Communications and Logistics
Affiliation: NASA Kennedy Space Center
Certification/Education:
Advanced Project Engineer for KSC IT Application Services Division
B.S. Computer Science, University of Central Florida
Cisco Certified Network Engineer
NAUI Open Water Diver
Full Biography »

Jonathan Fether
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Submersible life support systems
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
BCIT machinist red seal
US navy life support systems technician
Hardsuit pilot
Deepworker pilot
Full Biography »

Alex Forrest
Ph.D. Student, Deepworker Pilot, Gavia Pilot

Expertise: Environmental Fluid Mechanics
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (current) Environmental Fluid Mechanics, UBC
M.A.Sc. Environmental Engineering (2004), UBC
B.Eng. Chemical Engineering and Society (2002), McMaster University
B.Sc. Geoscience (2002), McMaster University
Full Biography »

Matthew Fox
Mission Planner, Lead Timeliner

Expertise: Mission Planning, ISS Operations Planning
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
B.S. Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Purdue University
Full Biography »

Mike Gernhardt

Expertise: NASA Astronaut, Manager of Environmental Physiology Laboratory and
Principle Investigator of Prebreath Reduction Program, Johnson Space Center
Affiliation: NASA
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
M.A.Sc. Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania
B.Sc. Physics, Vanderbilt University
Full Biography »

Rafferty Pendery
Videographer and Web Specialist

Expertise: Marketing, Web Development, Videography
Affiliation: Studio98, LLC.
Certification/Education:
SSI Advanced Diver
Full Biography »

Chris Haberle

Expertise: Geology and Mechanics
Affiliation: Oregon State University
Certification/Education:
BS Geology
Full Biography »

Jeff Heaton

Expertise: Operations Supervisor and Lead Submersible Pilot
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
B.Sc.
Full Biography »

Jennifer Jadwick
Participating Scientist, Data Management

Expertise: EVA Physiology and Operations
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
B.S. (Biomedical Engineering), Texas A&M University, 1993
Full Biography »

Barbara Janoiko
Science Stenographer

Expertise: Analogs, Desert RATS, and Suit Ports
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University
NAUI Scuba Certification
Full Biography »

Sasha LeBaron
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Manned Submersible Navigation Technician
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
DeepWorker 2000 Navigation, Communication and Maintenance technician
Full Biography »

David Lees
Participating Scientist, Science Stenographer

Expertise: Robotics, Computer/Human Interaction
Affiliation: NASA Ames/CMU
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Mechanical Engineering), Stanford University
B.S. EE&CS, Johns Hopkins University
Full Biography »

Megan Levins

Expertise: Space Station Robotics Training and Control
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
BS (Physics) University of Nevada, Reno
Full Biography »

Tyler Mackey
Research Diver

Expertise: Microbial Mineralization
Affiliation: UC Davis
Certification/Education:
B.A. (2008) Carleton College, Geology
M.S. (in progress) UC Davis, Geology
Scientific Diver and NAUI Master certifications
Full Biography »

Sean Maday
Geospatial Engineer

Expertise: Visualization of Geospatial Data
Affiliation: Google
Certification/Education:
BA and MS from Michigan State University
Full Biography »

Jan Finke
Ph.D. Student

Expertise: Environmental microbiology and virology
Affiliation: University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. Biology, University of Applied Sciences Bonn-Rhein-Sieg
M.Sc. Limnology & Oceanography, University of Amsterdam
Ph.D. Student in the Suttle Lab, University of British Columbia
Full Biography »

Piotr Jasiobedzki
Participant

Expertise: Computer vision and robotics
Affiliation: MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates (MDA), Space Missions
Certification/Education:
PhD Computer Vision and Robotics, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
MEng Computer Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Poland
Full Biography »

Marianne Mader
PhD Student, Planetary Science

Expertise: Geology
Affiliation: Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration, University of Western Ontario
Certification/Education:
M.Sc. - Space Studies, International Space University, Strasbourg, France
M.Sc. - Earth Science, Memorial University, St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada
B.Sc. – Earth Science, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
Full Biography »

Margarita "Mars" Marinova
Deepworker Pilot

Expertise: Planetary Surfaces
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center - Space Sciences Division; BAER Institute
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. - Aeronautics and Astronautics, MIT
M.Sc. - Planetary Science, Caltech
Ph.D. - Planetary Science, Caltech
Full Biography »

Jessica Marquez

Expertise: Human System Integration, Human Computer Interaction
Affiliation: NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Human-Systems Engineering) Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Full Biography »

Damien McCombs
First Aid Attendant

Expertise: Safety / First Aid / Communications
Affiliation: University of British Columbia, British Columbia Institute of Technology
Certification/Education:
Mechanical Engineering Design (BCIT), BFA (UBC), OFA LEVEL III, Advanced Wilderness First Aid
Full Biography »

Christopher McKay

Expertise: Planetary Geologist
Affiliation: Space Science Division - NASA Ames Research Center
Certification/Education:
Ph.D.
Full Biography »

Bree Mireau
Education Team Leader

Expertise: Education
Affiliation: Riverside Secondary School
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. (Ecology) Simon Fraser University, Burnaby BC.
B. Ed (Secondary Sciences - Biology) University of British Columbia, Vancouver BC.
M.Sc. (Science Communication) Dalarna University, Borlange Sweden.
Full Biography »

Tyler Nelson

Expertise: Virology
Affiliation: Integrated Sciences, University of British Columbia
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. Student
Full Biography »

James A. Nienow
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Microbial ecology, Taxonomy and systematics of microalgae
Affiliation: Valdosta State University
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. (Microbial Ecology) Florida State University
BA/MA Mathematics, UC San Diego
Full Biography »

Phil Nuytten

Expertise: Inventor, entrepreneur, explorer, President and founder of Nuytco Research Ltd and Can-Dive Services Ltd
Affiliation: Nuytco Research Ltd and Can-Dive Services Ltd
Full Biography »

Briana Palmer

Expertise: Studio Arts: Printmaking and Sculpture
Affiliation: School of the Arts, McMaster University
Certification/Education:
BFA, Alberta College of Art and Design, Calgary
MFA, University of Alberta, Edmonton
Full Biography »

David J. Pogue

Expertise: Crew Systems and Crew Survival Operations
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
M. Engineering, Bioengineering, Texas A&M University;
B.S. Bioengineering, Texas A&M University
Full Biography »

Steve Pointing

Expertise: Molecular Microbial Ecology
Affiliation: Extremophiles Research Group, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong
Full Biography »

Mike Reay
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Submersible construction & operations
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
Diploma of Technology (Electronics and Industrial Automation) BCIT
Full Biography »

Jeff Rozon
Deepworker Technical Support

Expertise: Deepworker Electronics/Operations Technology
Affiliation: Nuytco Research
Certification/Education:
B.Sc. (Marine Biology) Guelph University, 1994
Nuytco Research Submersible Technician/Pilot
Full Biography »

Lauren Rush

Expertise: Operations and Planning Engineer
Affiliation: NASA
Certification/Education:
BS Industrial Engineering, Purdue University
Full Biography »

Joe Russell

Expertise: Microbiology
Affiliation: University of Delaware
Certification/Education:
PhD Student
Full Biography »

Marc A. Seibert
Co-Investigator

Expertise: Space Communications, Networking and Space Network Emulation
Affiliation: NASA
Certification/Education:
MSEE, Case Western Reserve University (Space Communications)
BEEE, Michigan State University (Digital Communications)
Full Biography »

Gregory Slater

Expertise: Organic and Isotope Geochemistry
Affiliation: McMaster University
Certification/Education:
Ph.D. Isotope Geochemistry (2001), University of Toronto
Full Biography »

Trey Smith

Expertise: Robotics, Geospatial Data, Field Operations
Affiliation: NASA Intelligent Robotics Group, Carnegie Mellon Silicon Valley
Certification/Education:
PhD, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon University
Full Biography »

Sarah Soles

Expertise: Isotope Geochemistry, Astrobiology
Affiliation: McMaster University
Certification/Education:
M.Sc. Candidate (Earth Science), McMaster University
B.Sc. (Biology, Origins Research), McMaster University
Full Biography »

Jennifer Stonehouse
Education Team Leader

Expertise: Education
Affiliation: Diamond Elementary School
Certification/Education:
BA Child and Youth Care, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC
BEd (Elementary), University of Victoria, Victoria, BC
M.Sc (Science Communication), University of Dalarna, Borlange Sweden
Full Biography »

Dawn Y Sumner
Participating Scientist

Expertise: Astrobiology
Affiliation: University of California, Davis
Certification/Education:
B.S. (Geology) California Institute of Technology, 1989
Ph.D. in Geology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1995
Full Biography »

Art Trembanis
Visiting Scientist and AUV team participant

Expertise: Sediment Transport Processes, Bottom boundary layer dynamics, AUVs
Affiliation: University of Delaware
Certification/Education:
B.S. Geology/Oceanography Duke University, Magna Cum Laude
Fulbright Fellow Sydney University, Sydney Australia
Ph.D. College of William and Mary, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences
WHOI/USGS Postdoctoral Fellow
Assistant Professor University of Delaware
Full Biography »

Rick White

Expertise: Microbial Genomics
Affiliation: UBC
Certification/Education:
MS (Molecular Biology)
PhD Student (Microbiology/Immunology) - Curtis Suttle Lab
Full Biography »

Nick Wilkinson
MAPPER developer, Dive Support

Expertise: Web Development, Logistics Consulting
Affiliation: Rask Systems Inc
Certification/Education:
BASc (Mechanical Engineering), University of British Columbia
MASc (Mining Engineering), University of British Columbia
PADI Assistant Instructor
Full Biography »

Susan Winnitoy
Dive Support

Expertise: Robotics Engineering, Scuba Diving
Affiliation: NASA Johnson Space Center
Certification/Education:
BASc Engineering Science, University of Toronto
Master Scuba Diver Trainer, PADI
Full Biography »