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About

Scott K. Rowland is a planetary geologist renowned for his work on volcanic and tectonic processes across the solar system, with a particular focus on Mars and Earth. His major contributions include leading the development and scientific application of the Mars Hand Lens Imager (MAHLI) aboard NASA’s Curiosity rover. The instrument’s 2012 investigation paper, cited over 229 times, details how this 2-megapixel color camera with a focusable macro lens has revolutionized the study of Martian stratigraphy, grain-scale textures, and mineralogy, enabling unprecedented close-up analysis of sedimentary and igneous rocks in Gale Crater. Beyond MAHLI, Rowland has made foundational contributions to understanding planetary volcanism, including the formation of lava tubes and channels on Mars and the Moon, as well as the tectonic evolution of Venus. His work has been recognized through numerous NASA awards and his role as a Co-Investigator on multiple Mars missions. With a career spanning decades, Rowland’s research continues to shape how scientists interpret the geologic history of rocky bodies, bridging terrestrial analog studies with extraterrestrial exploration.