About
In the Christensen Research Group at ASU, scientists and researchers are building and using instruments on spacecraft to explore the geology and mineralogy of Mars and other bodies in space. We do research, create instruments and software, and provide mission support to NASA.
We also facilitate the Lucy Student Pipeline Accelerator and Competency Enabler (L’SPACE), a virtual academy that helps undergraduate students train for the space workforce, and the ASU Mars Education Program , which provides workshops, field trips, and other opportunities for teachers and students to join with scientists in the excitement of Mars exploration.
History
The Christensen Research Group was created by Dr. Philip Christensen, a planetary geologist. Since the 1990s he has pursued the use of spacecraft observations to study the composition, physical properties and processes, and morphology of planetary surfaces, with an emphasis on Mars and the Earth.
A major element of this research has been the design and development of spacecraft infrared remote sensing instruments, using infrared spectroscopy, radiometry, laboratory spectroscopic measurements, field observations, and numerical modeling.
Meet the Group
Current Staff
- Zoya Anderson, Scientific Software Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Saadat Anwar, Lead Scientific Software Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Kelly Bender, Research Specialist Senior
- Arizona State University
- Meg Burris, Scientific Software Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Heather Bowles, Quality Analyst/Mission Assurance Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Stillman Chase, Systems Engineer/Consultant
- Arizona State University
- Phil Christensen, Project Manager/Instrument Development Lead
- Arizona State University
- Scott Dickenshied, Senior Scientific Software Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Zoltan Farkas, Mechanical Engineer Lead
- Arizona State University
- Tara Fisher, Project Administrator
- Arizona State University
- Dann Garcia, Deputy L'SPACE program
- Arizona State University
- Warren Hagee, Scientific Software Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Jonathon Hill, Research Specialist
- Arizona State University
- Russell Hudyma, Consultant Optics & Imaging Science
- Arizona State University
- Sheri Klug-Boonstra, Principal Investigator L'SPACE program, Director Workforce Development -ASU Space Works
- Arizona State University
- Ian Kubik, Engineer Senior
- Arizona State University
- Edgar Madrill, Senior Optical Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Greg Mehall, Assoc. Research Professional
- Arizona State University
- Mark Miner, Consultant PRN
- Arizona State University
- Kimm Murray, Research Specialist Prin.
- Arizona State University
- Dale Noss, Systems Programmer Prin.
- Arizona State University
- Bill O'Donnell, Engineer Prin.
- Arizona State University
- Mehul Patel, Dir. Research Projects MSFF
- Arizona State University
- Dan Pelham, Lead Opto/Mechanical Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Nick Piacentine, Information Technology Manager
- Arizona State University
- Ken Rios, Scientific Software Engineer
- Arizona State University
- MarKetta Roemke, Administrative Associate
- Arizona State University
- Steve Ruff, Associate Research Professor
- Arizona State University
- Ken Shamordola, Electrical Engineer/ Consultant
- Arizona State University
- Tom Tourville, Mechanical Engineer/ Consultant
- Arizona State University
- Tom Wolverton, Mechanical/Structural Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Rob Woodward, Manufacturing Engineer
- Arizona State University
- Paul Wren, Scientific Software Engineer
- Arizona State University