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Rachel L. Harris, Ph.D.

NASA Postdoctoral Management Program (NPMP) Fellow in the NASA Astrobiology Program @NASA-HQ; Research Associate in the Girguis Deep Sea Microbiology Lab @HarvardOEB. NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return Campaign Science Group.

Rachel L. Harris, Ph.D. is a NASA Postdoctoral Management Program (NPMP) Fellow at NASA Headquarters, where she serves as the development lead for the 2025 NASA Astrobiology Strategy.2 Her work involves collaborating with the broader astrobiology community to shape a comprehensive roadmap for the Astrobiology Program over the next decade and beyond.2

Dr. Harris has an extensive background in geomicrobiology and deep subsurface microbiology.1 Her research focuses on:

Research Interests

  • Methane cycling
  • Microbial ecophysiology
  • Redox biosignatures
  • Deep-sea hydrothermal vents
  • Martian surface conditions and potential for life

Professional Roles

  • Research Associate in the Girguis Deep Sea Microbiology Lab at Harvard University's Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology24
  • Member of the NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return Campaign Science Group since April 20222

Notable Achievements

  • Selected as one of 16 international scientists to advise on the ~$7 billion Mars Sample Return Program2
  • Led instrument reviews for Mars Sample Return science planning2
  • Authored 7 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 7 first-author conference abstracts2
  • Reviewed proposals for NASA Exobiology and PSTAR programs2

Dr. Harris has participated in research cruises to study methane cycling at deep-sea hydrothermal vents in the Western Galapagos Spreading Center and Northern Guaymas Basin.2 Her work contributes to NASA's "Exploring Ocean Worlds" project, which has implications for the search for life beyond Earth.23

Related Questions

What is Rachel L. Harris's role in the NASA Astrobiology Strategy?
How did Rachel L. Harris contribute to the Mars Sample Return Campaign?
What are Rachel L. Harris's main research interests?
What is the significance of Rachel L. Harris's work on methane cycling?
How does Rachel L. Harris's work impact the search for life on Mars?
Rachel L. Harris, Ph.D.
Rachel L. Harris, Ph.D., photo 1
Rachel L. Harris, Ph.D., photo 2
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Location

Waltham, Massachusetts, United States