B. L. Ehlmann
California Institute of Technology, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Papers
3
Total Citations
430
H-Index
3
About
Bethany L. Ehlmann is a leading planetary scientist whose research bridges the fields of geology, chemistry, and astrobiology to unravel the history of water and habitability on Mars, the Moon, and other planetary bodies. Her major contributions include pioneering the use of orbital spectroscopy to identify and map carbonates on Mars, revealing a complex climate history with episodic aqueous environments, as detailed in her highly cited 2012 paper (174 citations). She is a key figure in NASA’s Perseverance rover mission, serving as a Co-Investigator for the SHERLOC instrument, which uses Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to search for organic compounds and biosignatures—a landmark 2021 paper on this investigation has garnered 237 citations. Ehlmann also leads the Lunar Trailblazer mission, a NASA SIMPLEx small satellite designed to map the form and distribution of water on the Moon, demonstrating her leadership in innovative, cost-effective exploration. With over 200 publications and recognition as a MacArthur Fellow, her work profoundly shapes our understanding of planetary evolution and the search for life beyond Earth.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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