image: Lauren Berger stands next to a glacier in Iceland during the 2021 SAND-E Mission (Semi-Autonomous Navigation for Detrital Environments), which explored Mars-like terrain to examine how sediments change upriver versus downriver and to test rover science operations and navigation in those environments.
Credit: Lauren Berger
Sand dunes on Mars might hold the key to understanding the planet’s mysterious environment, and Texas A&M Geology & Geophysics Ph.D. student Lauren Berger is ready to unlock their secrets. Recently awarded a prestigious grant from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Berger is diving into a project that could reveal new insights into the Red Planet’s wind patterns, atmospheric conditions and more. The FINESST (Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology) grant supports innovative research in earth and planetary sciences.
Berger’s project, Insights into the Martian Environment Through Pattern Analysis of Compound Dunes, focuses on studying dune formations on Mars using high-resolution images captured by NASA's orbiting cameras. These “compound dunes”—dunes with smaller dunes layered on top—are well-documented on Earth but remain unexplored on Mars.
“The shape and pattern of these aeolian bedforms—geologic features shaped by wind—can tell us so much about the environment,” Berger explained. “By comparing compound dunes on Mars to those on Earth, we can uncover similarities and differences that could help us better understand the Martian surface and atmosphere.”
This groundbreaking research is supported by the FINESST program, which awarded funding to only 156 projects out of 1,120 submissions. With such a competitive selection process, winning this grant is both rare and significant.
“Lauren is a passionate and dedicated student,” said Dr. Julia Reece, Berger’s adviser and an assistant professor in the Department of Geology & Geophysics. “The FINESST grant is a great accomplishment for which she can be proud. It will allow her to focus on her research, strengthen her relationship with NASA, and grow as a leader in earth and planetary sciences.”
Berger, originally from New York, developed her passion for geology and wind-shaped landscapes during her undergraduate years at Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she earned a degree in geology. As part of her studies, she interned at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, mapping sand ripples on Mars. Her experiences with the National Park Service and NASA fueled her curiosity about aeolian bedforms, leading her to Texas A&M, where she found a program that matched her passion for studying planets and began working with Dr. Ryan Ewing, who now works at NASA’S Johnson Space Center.
As part of her research at Texas A&M with the FINESST grant, Berger’s first step is to identify all the compound dunes on Mars. Using high-resolution images from NASA's Context Camera and High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment, she will study their shapes and compare them to similar dunes on Earth to better understand how they form and what they reveal about the Martian environment.
“After years of looking at sand ripples as hazards for the Perseverance Rover, which is a NASA robot exploring Mars and searching for signs of past life, I wanted to dive deeper into the science behind them,” Berger said.
Dr. Marion Nachon, the principal investigator for the research project and an associate research scientist in the department, has been a key mentor for Berger throughout her work. Nachon emphasizes how rare and valuable the FINESST grant is for young researchers, offering a unique opportunity to advance their careers.
“With this highly competitive FINESST grant award, Lauren is getting an exceptional opportunity to pursue her growth as a motivated and promising scientist,” Nachon said. “She’s reaching for the stars and planets!”
By Texas A&M University College of Arts and Sciences Marketing & Communications
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