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About

N. M. Bardabelias is a planetary scientist and astrobiologist whose research focuses on the search for life in extreme subsurface environments, particularly on Mars. Their most notable contribution is the development of the **Mars Astrobiological Cave and Internal habitability Explorer (MACIE)** mission concept, a New Frontiers-class proposal that targets Martian lava tubes as prime locations for biosignature detection. This work, which has garnered 8 citations, argues that these subterranean cavities offer protection from surface radiation and thermal extremes, making them among the most promising habitats for extant or preserved Martian life. Bardabelias’s research integrates cave geology, astrobiology, and mission architecture, emphasizing the importance of subsurface exploration in planetary science. The MACIE concept is named after Macie Roberts, one of NASA’s pioneering “human computers,” reflecting Bardabelias’s commitment to honoring historical contributions to space exploration. By bridging the gap between theoretical habitability and practical mission design, Bardabelias has helped shape the next generation of astrobiological exploration, inspiring students and researchers to consider caves as critical targets in the search for life beyond Earth.