SETI: About Us

Nathalie A. Cabrol, PhD

NASA Ames Research Center/ SETI Institute Space Science Division MS 245-3
Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000. Phone: (650) 604-0312; Fax: (650) 604-6779
Email: ncabrol@mail.arc.nasa.gov

Current position

SETI Institute Principal Investigator at NASA Ames Research Center since 1998. Research on aqueous environments favorable to Life on Mars, their exploration (robotic and human) and the study of Terrestrial analogues.

Academic Degrees

Certification on the list of "Maitre de Conferences" in geology (Paris, France), 1995.

Ph-D (planetary sciences) 1991, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.

Master (planetary sciences) 1986, Sorbonne University, Paris, France.

Professional Experience

Contractor of SETI Institute at NASA Ames Research Center on Cooperative Agreement NCC2-1064 (1998-2001), NCC-1328 since 2002.

National Research Council Associate (NASA Ames Research Center 1996-1998)

French Ministère de la Recherche Posc-Doctoral Fellowship (NASA Ames Research Center 1994-1995).

Association Française pour L'Avancement des Sciences (Actualités de l'Hydrologie) Post-Doctoral Fellowship (Observatoire de Meudon, Laboratoire de Physique du Système Solaire, Paris, France).

Biographical Sketch

Nathalie Cabrol is a planetary scientist at NASA ARC/SETI Institute specialized in the evolution of water on Mars. She is a senior scientist of 20 year experience and has led, and is leading, major research projects (astrobiology, robotics, participation to planetary mission). She was the main advocate for the Gusev crater landing for the Spirit rover on Mars and is a science team member of the NASA Mars Exploration Rover mission. She is also the Principal Investigator and the Expedition Leader of a NASA Astrobiology Intitute (NAI)-funded project exploring some of the highest lakes on Earth as analogs to ancient martian lakes in Bolivia. She has led four successful expeditions to some of the highest lakes on Earth (e.g., Licancabur 6,014 m, Poquentica 5,850 m) and several lower lakes (4,400m-4,800 m) in Bolivia between 2002-2005. The exploration and documentation of these lakes includes diving (without oxygen tanks) and has brought new insights into poorly known and remote extreme lake ecosystems. There, Cabrol and her team try to document the life adaptation (or lack thereof) to extreme environmental conditions and the effect of rapid climate change, and the limits of life on Earth. She counts over 250 publications and professional communications. She authored three books and several chapters of books. Her work is being largely cited by the medias, whether TV, radio, web, or printed magazines. Cabrol is the recipient of prestigious research awards and in 2005, Cabrol was elected Carey Fellow and Women of Discovery (Air and Space).

Projects

Start date	End Date	Role		Program	Description
2005	2008	Co-I		NASA-AISR	Analyzing science operations for the robotic search for life as part of the multi-year robotic campaign to explore Chile’s Atacama desert.
2003	2008	PI		NAI	(SETI Lead Team) Study of the impact of UV on life in some of the highest lakes on Earth.
2003	2007	Co-I		NASA-ASTEP	Science lead for the Science-on-the-Fly project (autonomous science with rovers)
2003	TBD	PS		NASA MER	Mars Exploration Rover science team. Science and rover operations.
2003	2006	Co-PI		NASA-ASTEP	Project science lead for the “Life in the Atacama” (Robotic astrobiology): Searching for life with rovers
2002	2005	Co-I		NASA-AISR	Data-Centric Analysis of science return for human-directed robotic geology.
2002	2003	PI		ARC-DDF	Exploring the limits of life in some of the highest lakes on Earth.
2001	2003	SL		ARC-IS	Science lead on the study of science automation of the robotic exploration of aqueous environments on Mars.
2000	2003	SP		MER	Spokesperson for Gusev crater as the landing site for the Spirit rover.
1999	1999	PI/PM		ARC-IS	Science lead and project manager of the first astronaut-rover field experiment (ASRO) in Silver Lake.
1999	1999	DSL		ARC-IS	Deputy science lead, Marsokhod rover field experiment, Silver Lake
1997	1997	ScPI	CMU/ARC		Science lead: Nomad rover field experiment, Atacama Desert.
1996	1996	STM	ARC-IS		Science team member: Marsokhod rover field experiment, Tuba City.
1995	1995	STM	ARC-IS		Science team member; Marsokhod rover field experiment, Hawaii.
1994	1995	PI	FMR		Post-doctoral study on the feasibility of an exobiology mission on Mars.

Professional Honors

2006:
Mars Exploration Rover Team National Air & Space Museum trophy for Current Achievement

2005:
NASA Ames Honor Award for Excellence as Contractor Employee.
NASA Group Achievement Award for the Mars Exploration Rover extended mission Science/Science Support Team.
Elected Carey Fellow
Women of Discovery: Air and Space Award. (Wings World Quest)

2004:
NASA Group Achievement Award for the Mars Exploration Rover Science/Science Support Team;
NASA Group Achievement Award for the Mars Exploration Rover Science Operations Team.
Earth and Space Foundation First Exploration Award to the Mars Exploration Rover Team.
ASIP certificate of appreciation for outstanding mentorship for the Athena Internship Student Program, MER mission.
Shasta County of Education certificate of appreciation for outstanding mentorship for the Athena Student Program Internship, MER mission

2000:
Gold Medal, International Water and Science Award (Sponsored by Unesco/European Parliament).
18th Digital Avionics Systems Conference: Best Paper of Session Award (Results of the First Astronaut-Rover (ASRO) Interaction Field Experiment and Recommendations for Future Planetary Surface Exploration.

1999:
NASA Ames Research Center Space Science Division Outstanding Achievements Award.
NASA-JSC Group Achievement Award for the ASRO Project;
NASA Ames-IMG Outstanding Achievement Award for the ASRO Field Experiment.
NASA Ames Intelligent Mechanisms Group Certificate of Appreciation for scientific and technical contributions to the 1999 Marsokhod rover Field Experiment in Silver Lake, Mojave Desert, CA. Nathalie Cabrol, Project Deputy Science Lead.

1997:
Silver Medal of the French Société d’Encouragement au Progrès for Scientific Research
Carnegie Mellon University Award for the Lead of the Science Experiment of the Nomad Rover Field Test

1996:
Bronze Medal of the Ecole des Mines of Douai (France) for education and public outreach activity.

1994:
Medal of the City of Triel (France) for educational and public outreach at the Observatory of Triel.

1992:
Silver medal of the Observatory of Triel (France) for research work.

Professional Committees and Reviews

External Reviewer for the NASA Mars Fundamental Research Program (MFRP) since 2002
External Reviewer for the NASA Mars Global Surveyor Data Analysis Program (MGSDAP) since 2001
External Reviewer for the NASA Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP) since 1999.
External Reviewer for NASA Planetary Geology and Geophysics (PG&G) since 1998.
External Reviewer for the NASA Planetary Instrument Definition and Development Program (PIDDP) since 2001.
External advisor for the European Space Agency (ESA) Exobiology Science Team Study (1998)
External Collaborator on the ESA Reports for the Search for Life in the Solar System (final report June 1997)

Committees and Reviews for Professional Journals

Reviewer for Nature since 2003
Reviewer for the Cambridge University Press (science books).
Reviewer for Geophysical Research Letter since 2003
Reviewer for Icarus since 2002
Board of Editors of the European International Journal of Astrobiology since 2001.
Reviewer for Journal of Geophysical Research since 1999.
Reviewer for Planetary & Space Science since 1998.

Scientific Expeditions (High Mountaineering & Free Diving)

2005: Expedition lead of the High-Lakes project in the Bolivian altiplano. Ascent of the Licancabur volcano (6,004 m) and Poquentica volcano (5,850 m)
2004: Expedition lead of the Mars Underwater Project in the Altiplanic Andes. Free diving (no oxygen tank) at 5,916 m.
2003: Expedition lead of the Licancabur Expedition #2 for the investigation of high-altitude lakes (4,500 – 6,004 m) in the Bolivian altiplano as analogs to Martian paleolakes. Free diving at 5,916 m; Women’s (unofficial) world record.
2002: Expedition lead of the Licancabur Expedition #2 for the investigation of high-altitude lakes (4,500 – 6,004 m) in the Bolivian altiplano as analogs to Martian paleolakes.

Students and Mentorship

Andrew Hock, NASA Ames GSRP, Ph-D student (2002-2006)
Graylan Vincent, NASA Astrobiology Academy Student, undergraduate (2003)
David Fike, Biology Program Internship (summer 2002)
Frederick Grant, NASA Astrobiology Academy Student, undergraduate (2002)
David Fike, NASA Astrobiology Academy Student, Ph-D student (since 2001)
Rachel Schelble, NASA Astrobiology Academy Student, undergraduate (2001)
Gilles Davidowicz, Master degree student (1992)

Membership in Professional Societies

American Geophysical Union
American Association for the Advancement of Sciences
French Association for the Advancement of Sciences
New York Academy
Planetary Society

Publications

Public Conferences, Seminars, Other E/PO

Over 300 public lectures and seminars of astronomy and planetary sciences in France and United States since 1986.

About us

Nathalie A. Cabrol, PhD