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About

Keyron Hickman-Lewis is a planetary scientist whose work sits at the intersection of astrobiology, instrument science, and human exploration. He is best known for his integral role in the Mars 2020 Perseverance rover mission, specifically as a key contributor to the SHERLOC instrument—a robotic arm-mounted spectrometer that uses Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy to search for organic compounds and signs of past microbial life. His 2022 paper detailing the design and operations of the SHERLOC Calibration Target (35 citations) is a cornerstone reference for the mission, outlining how the instrument ensures data accuracy while also serving as a platform for public outreach and future human exploration functions. Hickman-Lewis has also advanced the foundational methodology of planetary science through his influential 2021 work on “functional analogues” (32 citations), which provides a rigorous framework for selecting and using Earth-based field sites to test instruments and interpret data before they are deployed on other worlds. His contributions bridge the gap between robotic exploration and the long-term goal of sending humans to Mars, establishing him as a leading voice in preparing for the next era of space exploration.