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About

C. M. Phillips-Lander is a leading planetary scientist whose research focuses on the exploration of caves across the solar system, with an emphasis on astrobiology, subsurface habitability, and robotic mission design. Their work addresses fundamental questions about life’s potential beyond Earth, particularly within Martian lava tubes, which are considered prime targets for detecting biosignatures without the need for drilling. Phillips-Lander’s most cited paper, “Fundamental Science and Engineering Questions in Planetary Cave Exploration” (2022, 38 citations), synthesizes decades of progress from theoretical lunar cave models to actual satellite-detected cave candidates, establishing a cross-disciplinary framework for future exploration. They also co-authored the Mars Astrobiological Cave and Internal habitability Explorer (MACIE) mission concept, a New Frontiers-class proposal that directly addresses NASA’s Decadal Survey and Mars Exploration Program goals. By integrating geology, climatology, robotics, and human operations, Phillips-Lander has helped shape a cohesive roadmap for planetary cave research, bridging terrestrial analog studies with interplanetary mission planning. Their contributions are pivotal for advancing our understanding of subsurface environments as potential havens for life and as future sites for human exploration.