Aleks Gawronska
(POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH)
| Email: | aleks.gawronska@nasa.gov |
| Org Code: | |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 698 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | UMBC Univ. of MD, Baltimore County |
Brief Bio
I am an igneous petrologist interested in global impacts of volcano-magmatic processes, from the emplacement of secondary basaltic crusts to the generation of transient volcanic atmospheres. I am focused on holistically understanding this on the Moon through microanalytical investigations of returned lunar samples.
Because my work uses returned extraterrestrial samples, I am also invested in maximizing the future success of lunar exploration. I do this by investigating future lunar landing sites using remote observations, and studying the lunar surface volatile budget by supporting the science teams of NASA instruments like PITMS and MSolo.
Following these experiences, I was selected as an Artemis Participating Scientist to join the First Artemis Geology Team and support return of new lunar samples via Artemis IV and Artemis V in 2028.
Positions/Employment
Postdoctoral Researcher
University of Maryland, Baltimore County - NASA Goddard
June 2026 - Present
Supporting lunar science and exploration i.e., via Artemis.
CRESST II Post-baccalaureate Program Consultant
SURA - NASA Goddard
May 2025 - Present
In addition to my postdoc work, I assist the CRESST II cooperative agreement team in managing the CRESST II post-baccalaureate program.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Catholic University of America and NASA GSFC - MD
June 2023 - May 2026
Working with PITMS and MSolo instrument science teams to evaluate the lunar surface volatile budget; supported pre-flight testing, mission operations, and post-mission reporting.
Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant
Miami University - OH
August 2018 - May 2023
I investigated basaltic samples returned from Apollo 11, 12, 15, and 17 through microanalytical techniques (microscopy, XCT, EPMA, LA-ICP-MS) to evaluate magmatic differentiation and lava emplacement processes on the Moon. (Funded partly through a Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology solicitation (award number 80NSSC22K1371)).
Exploration Science Intern
Lunar and Planetary Institute - TX
May 2019 - August 2019
I worked with a cohort of graduate students to evaluate geologic targets of interest around the lunar south polar Shackleton crater.
Special Experience
Artemis Participating Scientist
First Artemis Geology Team
03/2026 - Present
PI: Brett Denevi, JHU APL
Science Team Member
Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo)
11/2023 – Present
PI: Janine Captain & Jacqueline Quinn, NASA Kennedy Space Center
Science Team Member
Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS)
06/2023 – 07/2024
PI: Barbara Cohen, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Education
PhD, Geology. 2023.
- Miami University (advised by Dr. Claire McLeod)
BS, Environmental Science. 2018.
- Earth Science concentration, minor in Sustainability.
- University of Notre Dame (advised by Dr. Clive Neal)
Professional Service
2026 - Present: Chair, NextGen Lunar Organizing Committee (https://www.nextgenlunar.space)
2024 - Present: Lead, NASA-PEER Post-Baccalaureate constellation mentorship program (https://nasa-peer.org/)
Awards
NASA Agency Honor - Group Achievement Award for PITMS Science Team (2025)
NASA GSFC Sciences and Exploration Directorate Special Act Award (2024)
NASA GSFC Sciences and Exploration Directorate Early Career Scientist Spotlight (2024)
NAGT Outstanding TA award (2022)
AGU Fall Meeting registration reimbursement by the Planetary Sciences section (2021)
Lunar and Planetary Institute Career Development Award (2021)
Dwornik Awards Honorable Mention, 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2018)
Grants
A Model for Vesicle Development using Field and Hand Sample Contexts - NASA Goddard Instrument Field Team (GIFT) Internal Scientist Funding Model - Awarded: 2026-02-10
Dates: -
Tracking Ejecta in the Artemis Region Through an Integrated Mapping and Modeling Campaign - NASA Goddard Planetary Geodesy Internal Scientist Funding Model - Awarded: 2025-12-11
Dates: -
Publications
Refereed
2026. "Evidence for open magmatic system processes recorded in crystal cargoes of lunar basalts.", Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 562 (1): gslspecpub2025-14 [10.1144/gslspecpub2025-14] [Journal Article/Letter]
2026. "Insights into the Petrogenesis of Lunar Basaltic Breccia Dominion Range (DOM) 18543.", Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 562 (1): [10.1144/gslspecpub2025-65] [Journal Article/Letter]
2026. "Model for Determining the Origin of Lunar Volatiles Based on Their Composition: Application to NASA’s VIPER and Other Landed Missions.", The Planetary Science Journal, 7 (1): 20 [10.3847/psj/ae2fc6] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "DSMC analysis of Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission-1: MON-25 leak and water outgassing.", Acta Astronautica, 237 196-207 [10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.08.021] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "VIPER’s Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo).", The Planetary Science Journal, 6 (11): 277 [10.3847/psj/ae0a4e] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Characteristics of the Shackleton-de Gerlache ridge and implications for lunar south polar geology and future sampling activities.", Icarus, 441 116719 [10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116719] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS): Results from a CLPS-delivered Mass Spectrometer.", The Planetary Science Journal, 6 (1): 14 [10.3847/psj/ad9927] [Journal Article/Letter]
2023. "Mantle.", Encyclopedia of Lunar Science, 1-8 [10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6_213-1] [Article in Book]
2023. "Moon, Overall Geology.", Encyclopedia of Lunar Science, 1-10 [10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6_145-1] [Article in Book]
2023. "Basalt.", Encyclopedia of Lunar Science, 1-11 [10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6_135-1] [Article in Book]
2022. "The Distribution and Accessibility of Geologic Targets near the Lunar South Pole and Candidate Artemis Landing Sites.", The Planetary Science Journal, 3 (12): 275 [10.3847/psj/aca590] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "New interpretations of lunar mare basalt flow emplacement from XCT analysis of Apollo samples.", Icarus, 388 115216 [10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115216] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Numerical modeling of the formation of Shackleton crater at the lunar south pole.", Icarus, 354 113992 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113992] [Journal Article/Letter]
2020. "Geologic context and potential EVA targets at the lunar south pole.", Advances in Space Research, 66 (6): 1247-1264 [10.1016/j.asr.2020.05.035] [Journal Article/Letter]