After modifying and optimizing a commercial Laser Desorption – Mass Spectrometer (LD-MS) to be an analog for the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) instrument on the future ESA/NASA Rosalind Franklin rover, I am investigating the impact of mineral matrices on ionization and detection of biosignatures (see publications). 

Mars used to be habitable, and we are looking for traces of ancient life with several rover missions (Curiosity, Perseverance, Rosalin Franklin). However, when Mars lost its protective magnetic field and atmosphere around 4 billion years ago, it became exposed to heavy radiation potentially affecting biosignatures preservation. 

Working with natural samples, I am investigating (1) the transformation of biosignatures by cosmic rays, (2) the mineralogies that seem to be preferential for preservation, and (3) the impact of salts on biosignatures preservation under radiation. 

With Dr. Alexander Pavlov’s team, at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, MD, I am working on irradiation experiments of amino acids standards (see publications).

I am optimizing and experimenting on the flight instrument prototype Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) conducted by Dr. William Brinckerhoff at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, MD.

As part of the “Laboratory for Agnostics Biosignatures” project, I am exploring how mass spectral fragmentation is related to the complexity of a molecule using a MALDI ion trap mass spectrometer with a tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, MD.

For my Master's thesis, I conducted research on the preservation of hydrocarbon biomarkers (hopanes, steranes, carotenoids) in the South Oman Salt Basin, in the Summons Lab (see publications).

I had the chance to be part of the International Geobiology Course in 2019, with Dr. Alex Sessions, Dr. Victoria Orphan, and Dr. Woody Fisher. After training in field techniques, we were exposed to a variety of scientific approaches at Caltech (microscopy, IRMS, XRD, SIMS and NanoSIMS, SEM and TEM). Our group project was focused on biosignature preservation in ancient methane seeps.