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Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Aleks Gawronska

(POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH)

Aleks Gawronska's Contact Card & Information.
Email: aleks.gawronska@nasa.gov
Org Code: 698
Address:
NASA/GSFC
 Mail Code 698
 Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer: CATHOLIC UNIV OF AMERICA

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.

Much of my work uses returned samples, so I am also interested in the future success of exploration and sample return activities. This led me to assessing landing sites of future missions like Artemis, and joining the science teams of the PITMS and MSolo science instruments that aim to evaluate lunar volatiles in-situ.

Positions/Employment

Postdoctoral Researcher

Catholic University of America and NASA GSFC - MD

June 2023 - Present

In my current role as a postdoc I am working with the PITMS and MSolo instrument science teams to use their data to evaluate how volcanism contributed to the lunar surface volatile budget. Such volatiles may be sampled by Artemis and may offer resources for future exploration activities, so my work includes landing site analysis to support future sampling activities.

CRESST II Post-baccalaureate Program Consultant

SURA - NASA Goddard

May 2025 - Present

In addition to my postdoctoral duties, I assist the CRESST II cooperative agreement team in managing the CRESST II post-baccalaureate program, ensuring all post-bacs are adequately supported while at NASA Goddard.

Graduate Research Assistant

Miami University - OH

August 2022 - May 2023

I investigated samples returned through the Apollo missions to evaluate magmatic differentiation and lava emplacement processes on the Moon. (Funded through a Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology solicitation (award number 80NSSC22K1371)). 

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Miami University - OH

August 2018 - August 2022

In this role I taught Introductory Geology, and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology.

Exploration Science Intern

Lunar and Planetary Institute - TX

May 2019 - August 2019

Education

PhD, Geology. Miami University, 2023

BS, Environmental Science (Earth Science concentration), minor in Sustainability. University of Notre Dame, 2018

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:  - 

Other Professional Information

Personal website with CV: Aleks Gawronska (ajvgawronska.wixsite.com)

Special Experience

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


Publications

Refereed

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]

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