Chris K
- Research Program Mentor
PhD at Brown University
Expertise
planetary science, environmental science, planetary science, astronomy, scientific visualization, scientific communication
Bio
Hi! I’m Chris, a NASA Postdoctoral Fellow at Brown University. I lead a group at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory dedicated to developing new infrared space cameras for satellites, rovers, and astronauts. I have previously worked on NASA Mars Perseverance Rover and studied ancient rivers on Earth. I am passionate about communicating science and have developed and co-taught a course on introductory planetary science to college freshman, given public talks at the American Museum of Natural History, advised on the scripts for science documentaries, and have mentored numerous students on scientific research projects. My goal is to teach my mentees how to collect, analyze, and synthesize data, as well as communicate their findings through writing and graphics. I look forward to working with you!Project ideas
History of the Planet Mars
For this project, you will learn about the environmental, geological, and potentially biological history of Mars and how the planet transformed from a planet that was potentially hospitable to life into the arid, apparently lifeless planet of today. You will write a paper in the the style of the Annual Review of Earth and Planetary Sciences, combining synthesis of the literature with original scientific visuals.
Design Your own Space Mission
Have you ever dreamt about sending your own satellite, rover, or astronaut capsule into outer space? In this project, I will walk you through the science and systems-level thinking that goes into designing the science objectives and selecting the right instruments and hardware for a mission to Mars, the Moon, or wherever your heart desires. You will learn about what makes for a fascinating scientific question and a feasible space mission. Your project will culminate in a NASA-style report describing why your idea should be the next to fly to outer space.