Brian Nixon

About

Brian Nixon is a leading figure in planetary science and astrobiology, specializing in the development and operation of advanced spectroscopic and imaging instruments for Mars exploration. He is best known for his pivotal role in the Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) investigation on NASA’s Perseverance rover. This instrument, which generates spatially resolved chemical maps using fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy, is critical for detecting organic compounds and minerals that could indicate past microbial life. Nixon’s work on SHERLOC, detailed in a highly cited 2021 paper (237 citations), has directly shaped the rover’s ability to analyze Martian geology and search for biosignatures. Prior to this, he contributed to the calibration and characterization of Curiosity’s Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI), a robotic arm-mounted camera that provides high-resolution close-up images of rock and soil textures. Nixon’s expertise in instrument design, calibration, and data interpretation has been instrumental in advancing our understanding of Mars’ habitability, making him a key contributor to NASA’s ongoing exploration of the Red Planet.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Perseverance’s Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals (SHERLOC) Investigation

   237 citations · 2021
2. 2
   Curiosity’s robotic arm-mounted Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI): Characterization and calibration status

   28 citations · 2015
3. 3
   Supplement (.zip file to download) to PRE-PRINT Edgett et al. - Curiosity’s robotic arm-mounted Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI): Characterization and calibration status

   2 citations · 2015

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links