Marie-Christine Desjean
Papers
1
Total Citations
11
H-Index
1
About
Marie-Christine Desjean is a leading figure in planetary protection, a critical field ensuring that human exploration does not compromise the search for extraterrestrial life. Her research focuses on the intersection of microbiology, spacecraft engineering, and policy, specifically addressing the knowledge gaps that must be closed before crewed missions to Mars. Her most cited work, the 2021 paper "Planetary Protection Knowledge Gaps and Enabling Science for Human Mars Missions" (11 citations), serves as a foundational roadmap for the scientific community. In it, Desjean argues that the search for Martian life will likely remain incomplete by the time the first human crew arrives, making it imperative to develop robust contamination control strategies now. This contribution has shaped international discussions on how to balance exploration with scientific integrity. Beyond this paper, her broader portfolio includes studies on microbial survival in spacecraft environments and the development of sterilization protocols. Through her work, Desjean has become a key voice in ensuring that humanity’s expansion into the solar system does not inadvertently erase the very evidence of life we seek.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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