Caitlin Ahrens
(ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST)
| Email: | caitlin.ahrens@nasa.gov |
| Org Code: | 698 |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 698 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: | UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND AT COLLEGE PARK |
Brief Bio
Caitlin Ahrens' research involves remote sensing of icy surfaces and volatile interactions, including permanently shadowed craters at the lunar poles, focusing on the composition and thermodynamics of ices. Dr. Ahrens' specific expertise focuses on modeling of thermal phases of ices, and applications to geomorphological and geophysical data on icy surfaces, including cryovolcanism. Dr. Ahrens also works on a number of planetary volcanism projects, including lava flow morphology, caldera formation, and rheology, on Mars, Ceres, Titan, and Pluto. Dr. Ahrens is currently applying LRO Diviner data with a myriad of other remote sensing data to investigate the volatiles at the lunar surface and lunar volcanism. She is a member of the Diviner Science Team.
Dr. Ahrens is currently a University of Maryland - College Park Assistant Research Scientist (CRESST-II) at the Goddard Space Flight Center, advised by Dr. Noah Petro. She is currently the PI of a NASA Lunar Sustainability Team on investigating decision making under deep uncertainty for lunar exploration purposes. Through this work, she explores lunar architecture and civil engineering, mining operations, and resource management decisions for the Moon.
She is also an environmental technical research assistant for various lunar surface activities, including risk assessments.
In 2018, Dr. Ahrens received the Ten Outstanding Young Americans award (presented by the Jaycees) for her efforts in science communication and outreach.
Current Projects
Volatile Ice Modeling at the Lunar Permanently Shadowed Regions
Moons
Using LRO Diviner data in combination with other remote sensing datasets to determine the stability and ice phases of the ices at the lunar poles. Duties also include classifying PSR (permanently shadowed regions) at the lunar poles for identification of possible volatile species and traverse planning for robotic and crewed missions.
GCA: Astrobiology from the Moon - Artemis Implications
Astrobiology
•Identify and characterize locations near the South Pole afford an opportunity to collect such samples.
•Identify methods to evaluate the degree of contamination occurring due to human exploration.
•Determine the possible distribution of volatiles reservoirs near the pole previously undetected through remote sensing analyses but preserved in the unique thermal environments at the lunar poles.
Decision-Making under Deep Uncertainty for Lunar Sustainability
Technology & Missions
Creating a decision-space for lunar surface activities, including potential risk analyses and understanding uncertainties in the decision-making process for future lunar technology and missions (e.g., Artemis, CLPS, etc.). This is work extended from a previous NASA-funded program by the former NASA OTPS (Office of Technology, Policy and Strategy). This project includes investigating lunar civil engineering structures, decisions on sample return and resource management, and lunar mining risks and hazards.
Positions/Employment
NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Research Associate
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD
2020 - 2023
Teaching Assistant/Research Associate
Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Science, University of Arkansas - Fayetteville, AR
2015 - 2020
Research Experience Undergraduate (REU), Astrogeology Branch
US Geological Survey - Flagstaff, AZ
2012 - 2012
Telescope Operator
West Virginia University Physics & Astronomy Department - Morgantown, WV
2011 - 2015
NASA Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Program (EHP) Induced Environments Systems Technical Assistant
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD
March 2023 - Present
Postdoctoral Research Scientist
CRESST-II; University of Maryland - College Park - NASA GSFC
2023 - Present
Assistant Research Scientist
CRESST-II University of Maryland College Park - NASA GSFC
July 2025 - Present
Education
2020 - PhD - Space and Planetary Science Center - University of Arkansas
[Dissertation: Understanding Ice Mixtures under Pluto Simulated Conditions and their Implications for Geophysical Processes]
2015 - BS - Physics Department, Astrophysics Emphasis, West Virginia University
2015 - BS - Geology Department, West Virginia University
Professional Societies
American Geophysical Union
Natural Hazards Program Committee member (2018-2025)
2018 - Present
Seismological Society of America
2014 - Present
Geophysical Society of America
2010 - Present
Central Appalachian Astronomy Club
2005 - Present
Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG)
2016 - Present
Lunar Exploration and Analysis Group (LEAG)
LEAG-ExMAG (Extraterrestrial Materials Analysis Group) Specific Action Team Member on volatile samples and cold curation
2020 - Present
Laboratory Astrophysics Division
Affiliate Member
2022 - Present
NASA Science Activation (SciAct)
Artemis Mission Liaison and Science Expert
2024 - Present
American Society of Civil Engineers
2025 - Present
Society of Risk Analysis
2025 - Present
Professional Service
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Aerospace Division - Space Engineering & Construction Technical Committee Member (2025 - present)
ASCE Regolith Operations, Mobility, and Robotics Technical Committee Member (2025 - present)
Apollo Next Generation Sample Analysis Program - Science Team Member (2024-present)
American Geophysical Union (AGU) Natural Hazards 2023&2024 Program Committee Member
IAU National Astronomy Education Coordinator Team (U.S. Team Member) (2022-present)
ISSI International Teams: Laboratory Investigations of Planetary Ices Team Member (PI: Ganna Portyankina) (2021-present)
TREX SSERVI member; Team 4 co-lead Camera Ops (2021-2023)
LRO Planetary Science Working Group Member (2020-present)
Goddard Center for Astrobiology Member; Lunar Science Lead (2020-present)
LRO Diviner Science Team Member (2020-present)
Encyclopedia of Lunar Science (Springer) Board Member and Section Editor (2021-2023)
NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassador (2016-present)
NASA ROSES proposal reviews for multiple panels (2018-present): roles as primary reviewer and executive secretary
Reviewer for PSJ, ACS Earth Space Chemistry, Nature, Nature Communications
Session chair and science convener for numerous workshops and conferences
Awards
2024: GSFC SED Excellence in Mentoring Award
2024: EHP SRR Team - NASA Group Achievement Award
2019: Rising Star Award - West Virginia University Alumni
2019: FIRST LEGO League Coach/Mentor Service Award
2018: Ten Outstanding Young Americans (Jaycees)
2018: Outstanding Young West Virginians (Jaycees)
2010: Astronomical League Horkheimer/D'Auria Youth Service Award
Grants
Constraints on geologically young lunar wrinkle ridges and lobate scarps
Internal Scientist Funding Model (ISFM): Planetary Geodesy - NASA GSFC - Awarded: 2023-10-01
Dates: -
A RAD Framework for the Moon: Applying Resist-Accept-Direct Decision-
Making
Economic, Social, and Policy Analyses of Lunar Surface Sustainability - NASA - Awarded: 2024-10-01
Dates: -
Other Professional Information
West Virginia University Physics & Astronomy Department Visiting Committee Member (2021-present)
NASA Planetary Science Summer School (PSSS) (2021), Role: PI
Publications
Refereed
2026. "Geomorphological Evidence of Fluid Seepage in Pit Complex Formation, Pioneer Terra, Pluto.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 131 (3): e2025JE009252 [10.1029/2025je009252] [Journal Article/Letter]
2026. "Lunar roads and connectivity: Infrastructure, governance, and resource politics beyond earth.", Space Policy, 101747 [10.1016/j.spacepol.2026.101747] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Morphometric Analysis and Emplacement Dynamics of Folded Terrains at Avernus Colles, Mars.", Remote Sensing, 17 (24): 3946 [10.3390/rs17243946] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Case scenarios for structural health monitoring for future lunar architectures.", Space and Planetary Resources, 1 (1): 3 [10.1007/s44461-025-00003-6] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Diverse lunar polar permanently shadowed regions and environmental metrics for site planning decision-making.", Advances in Space Research, [10.1016/j.asr.2025.07.099] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Geomorphic analysis of lobate debris aprons on Pluto from New Horizons images.", Icarus, 430 116468 [10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116468] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Kiladze Caldera: A Possible Cryovolcano on Pluto.", The Planetary Science Journal, 6 (3): 52 [10.3847/psj/adb1e1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Triton and Pluto: Cryovolcanism in the Outer Reaches of Our Solar System.", Triton and Pluto: The Long Lost Twins of Active Worlds, 3-1-3-28 [10.1088/2514-3433/ad5278ch3] [Article in Book]
2024. "Analyzing the Mineralogy and Space Weathering Characteristics of the Finest Fraction in Apollo Core Sample 73002.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 129 e2024JE008528 [Full Text] [10.1029/2024JE008528] [Journal Article/Letter]
2024. "Moon: Handle With Care.", Vol. 56, Issue 1 (Obituaries, News & Commentaries, Community Reports), 56 (1): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.917b6d52] [Journal Article/Letter]
2024. "Chapter 11 - Geocryology of Pluto and the icy moons of Uranus and Neptune.", Ices in the Solar-System A Volatile-Driven Journey from the Inner Solar System to its Far Reaches, 357-376 [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99324-1.00016-X] [Article in Book]
2024. "Chapter 7 - Ceres—A volatile-rich dwarf planet in the asteroid belt.", Ices in the Solar-System A Volatile-Driven Journey from the Inner Solar System to its Far Reaches, 221-259 [https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-99324-1.00010-9] [Article in Book]
2023. "Chapter 10. Titan, Enceladus, and Other Icy Moons of Saturn.", Ices in the Solar System, [Book]
2023. "Sverdrup-Henson crater: A candidate location for the first lunar South Pole settlement.", iScience, 26 (10): 107853 [10.1016/j.isci.2023.107853] [Journal Article/Letter]
2023. "Space Weathering at the Moon: Priorities for Interdisciplinary Heliophysics and Planetary Science Research.", Bulletin of the AAS, [10.3847/25c2cfeb.4de28fb2] [Report]
2023. "Pluto’s Surface Mapping Using Unsupervised Learning from Near-infrared Observations of LEISA/Ralph.", The Planetary Science Journal, 4 (1): 15 [10.3847/psj/acb0cc] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "An Effusive Lunar Dome Near Fracastorius Crater: Spectral and Morphometric Properties.", Remote Sensing, 14 (23): 6135 [10.3390/rs14236135] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "Geomorphological and morphometric characteristics of the volcanic edifices along a volcanic alignment of Tharsis on Mars.", Geomorphology, 414 108385 [10.1016/j.geomorph.2022.108385] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "The Case for a New Frontiers–Class Uranus Orbiter: System Science at an Underexplored and Unique World with a Mid-scale Mission.", The Planetary Science Journal, 3 (3): 58 [10.3847/psj/ac5113] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "A Geoscientific Review on CO and CO2 Ices in the Outer Solar System.", Geosciences, 12 (2): 51 [10.3390/geosciences12020051] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Temperatures of the Lacus Mortis region of the Moon.", Earth and Space Science, [10.1029/2021ea001966] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Volcanic eruptions on Mars and lava flow morphology and thermodynamics .", Mars: A Volcanic World, [Article in Book]
2021. "Petrologic evolution of Martian volcanism and clues from meteorites.", Mars: A Volcanic World, [Article in Book]
2021. "The Origin and Evolution of Volcanism at Martian Highland Paterae: A Review of the Current State of Knowledge.", Mars: A Volcanic World, 231-266 [10.1007/978-3-030-84103-4_9] [Article in Book]
2021. "Rheological and Thermophysical Properties and Some Processes Involving Common Volatile Materials Found on Pluto’s Surface.", The Pluto System After New Horizons (S. A. Stern, J. M. Moore, W. M. Grundy, L. A. Young, and R. P. Binzel, eds.), pp. 195–255 [10.2458/azu_uapress_9780816540945-ch010] [Article in Book]
2021. "Small Penetrator Instrument Concept for the Advancement of Lunar Surface Science.", The Planetary Science Journal, 2 (1): 38 [10.3847/psj/abda4f] [Journal Article/Letter]
2020. "Modeling cryogenic mud volcanism on Pluto.", Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, 406 107070 [10.1016/j.jvolgeores.2020.107070] [Journal Article/Letter]
2020. "Investigation of the morphology and interpretation of Hekla Cavus, Pluto.", Icarus, 114108 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114108] [Journal Article/Letter]
2020. "Labyrinth terrain on Titan.", Icarus, 344 113764 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113764] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "Compressional Ridges on Baret Montes, Pluto as Observed by New Horizons.", Geophysical Research Letters, 46 (24): 14328-14335 [10.1029/2019gl085648] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "A Global Inventory of Ice‐Related Morphological Features on Dwarf Planet Ceres: Implications for the Evolution and Current State of the Cryosphere.", Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 2018JE005699 [10.1029/2018je005699] [Journal Article/Letter]
2018. "Recent Advancements and Motivations of Simulated Pluto Experiments.", Space Science Reviews, 214 (8): 130 [10.1007/s11214-018-0558-6] [Journal Article/Letter]
2017. "Comparison of the mineral composition of the sediment found in two Mars dunefields: Ogygis Undae and Gale crater – three distinct endmembers identified.", Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 458 152-160 [10.1016/j.epsl.2016.10.022] [Journal Article/Letter]
Non-Refereed
2025. "AN ADAPTIVE DECISION-MAKING SUPPORT FRAMEWORK FOR LUNAR EXPLORATION.", American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2025, New Orleans, LA, [Proceedings]
2025. "Risk-Informed Decision-Making for Lunar Site Planning and Sampling.", Society of Risk Analysis Annual Meeting 2025, [Proceedings]
2025. "THE NEED TO MONITOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH AT THE MOON.", NASA Exploration Science Forum Conference 2025, [Proceedings]
2025. "Calculating Sublimation Recession Rate of Water Ice and Other Volatiles Within a Lunar Sample Container.", 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held 10-14 March, 2025 at The Woodlands, Texas and Virtually. LPI Contribution No. 3090, 2025, id.1170, [2025LPICo3090.1170A] [Proceedings]
2025. "Radar and Geomorphic Characterization of Tycho Secondary Craters: Implications for Formation Mechanisms.", 56th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held 10-14 March, 2025 at The Woodlands, Texas and Virtually. LPI Contribution No. 3090, 2025, id.1679, [2025LPICo3090.1679P] [Proceedings]
2024. "Apollo Landing Site Contamination: A 55-Year "Lunar Ecology" Experiment.", Astrobiology and the Future of Life, held 16-18 October, 2024, Virutally and in Houston, Texas. LPI Contribution No. 3068, p.2045, [2024LPICo3068.2045L] [Proceedings]
2024. "Putative Cold Seep Systems on Pluto: Analyzing Crater Morphology to Investigate Geological Sources of Methane .", European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2024 (EGU24), held 14-19 April, 2024 in Vienna, Austria. Online at https://egu23.eu, id.14037, [doi:10.5194/egusphere-egu24-14037] [Proceedings]
2024. "MULTIPLE DATASETS TO DETERMINE “YOUTH MARKERS” OF ACTIVITY AT WRINKLE RIDGES IN MARE FRIGORIS.", 55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held 11-15 March, 2023 at The Woodlands, Texas and virtually. LPI Contribution, (1643): [Proceedings]
2023. "A Conductivity and Dosimetry Probe for Lunar Surface and VolatileExploration.", AGU Fall Meeting 2023, held in San Francisco, CA, December 2023, (1402005): [Proceedings]
2023. "Shedding Light on the Darkness: Diversity of Permanently Shadowed Regions at the Lunar Poles.", Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group, held 20-22 September, 2023 in Laurel, Maryland/Virtual. LPI Contribution, 2887 (2913): [Proceedings]
2023. "Lunar Science Opportunities and Challenges at the Faustini Rim A Candidate Landing Site.", Artemis III Candidate Landing Regions Workshop, (LPI 2989): [Proceedings]
2023. "Spectral and Morphometric Properties of the Fracastorius Crater Lunar Dome.", 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held 13-17 March, 2023 at The Woodlands, Texas and virtually. LPI Contribution., 2806 (1157): [Proceedings]
2023. "Identifying Shoreline Morphologies and Mapping of Sputnik Planitia.", 1st Workshop on Ices in the Solar System: A Volatile Excursion from Mercury and the Moon to the Kuiper Belt and Beyond (Montreal, Canada)., (LPI 2809): [Proceedings]
2022. "Investigation of Polygonal Impact Craters near the Lunar Poles.", American Geophysical Union 2022 Fall Meeting, [Proceedings]
2022. "Mapping Thermal Flux Boundaries Surrounding Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) at the Lunar South Pole.", Lunar Polar Volatiles Conference, LPI, (LPI No. 2703): id.5008 [Proceedings]
2022. "Bringing Planetary Science Mission Outreach to the Deaf and Blind Communities.", Advancing IDEA in Planetary Science Workshop, LPI, No. 2679, id.2006 [Other]
2022. "Estimating the Rate of Growth or Shrinkage of the Amundsen Crater PSR Area.", 53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, id. 2339 [Proceedings]
2021. "The Rockiness of Lunar Tectonic Features .", AAS Division of Planetary Science meeting #53, 53 (7): id. 306.01 [Proceedings]
2021. "Geologic Science Research Priorities for the Moons of Uranus.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.4ed69daf] [Report]
2021. "Advancing Experimental Research and Instrumentation in the Laboratory in Understanding the Moon.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.cd8ea952] [Report]
2021. "The Need for a Facility to Understand Volatile Ice Rheology.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.9142aecb] [Report]
2021. "Spectral Science Priorities for an Infrared Spectrometer with Interstellar Probe.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.befe29ef] [Report]
2021. "The Spatial Relationship of Graben and Pit Craters at Rimae Daniell and the Implications of Scarp Formation.", 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held virtually, 15-19 March, 2021. LPI Contribution No. 2548, id.1481, [Proceedings]
2021. "Preliminary Observations on the Relationship Between Fe-Signatures and PSR Locations at the Lunar South Pole.", 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held virtually, 15-19 March, 2021. LPI Contribution No. 2548, id.1478, [Proceedings]
2020. "Preliminary Surface Thermal Flux Calculations Using LRO Diviner in Lunar Permanently Shadowed Craters.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 51 1949 [Proceedings]
2019. "Thinking outside the 'ice' box; grain size changes of solid nitrogen and its effects on the surface of Pluto.", EPSC-DPS Joint Meeting 2019, EPSC-DPS2019-201 [Proceedings]
2019. "Characterizing Faults Across the Surface of Pluto.", Pluto System After New Horizons, 7036 [Proceedings]
2019. "Overview of Thermal and Rheological Properties of Ices on Pluto and Other Bodies of the Outer Solar System.", Pluto System After New Horizons, 7033 [Proceedings]
2019. "Collisional Terminology For Cold Classical KBOs.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 50 1248 [Proceedings]
2019. "Comparative Morphologies Between Dune Slope Streaks and Recurring Slope Lineae on Mars.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 50 1160 [Proceedings]
2018. "Spectral Characteristics of Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen, Methane Mixtures in Simulated Pluto Conditions.", Experimental Analysis of the Outer Solar System Workshop, 3006 [Proceedings]
2018. "Potential Mud Volcanism Type Processes on Pluto.", Cryovolcanism in the Solar System Workshop, 2003 [Proceedings]
2018. "Spectral Characteristics of Carbon Monoxide in Nitrogen and Methane Mixtures in Simulated Pluto Conditions.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 49 [2833] [Proceedings]
2017. "Dune Slipface Feature Morphologies and Their Relationship to Mineralogy.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 48 2049 [Proceedings]
2017. "Geomorphological Characteristics of a Low-Albedo Feature in Utopia Planitia, Mars.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 48 2008 [Proceedings]
2017. "Investigating a Cryovolcanic Collapse Feature in Cthulhu Region, Pluto.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 48 1351 [Proceedings]
2014. "An Assessment of the Reliability of Mineral Abundance Estimates Derived from TES Data over Dune Sites.", Eighth International Conference on Mars, 1012 [Proceedings]
2013. "Mineral Analysis of Martian Dunes: Sediment Composition of Martian Dune Fields Using the Thermal Emission Spectrometer.", Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, 44 2096 [Proceedings]
Talks, Presentations and Posters
Invited
No Blueprint for the Moon: Challenges of Extraterrestrial Construction
February 2026
Invited presentation by the National Capital Area Skeptics, Washington, D.C.
Artemis II: A Launchpad for Future Astronaut Missions
January 21, 2026
Invited keynote for the NASA Community College Network (NCCN) on Artemis II mission objectives and updates.
An Adaptive DMDU Support Framework for Lunar Exploration
March 25, 2025
Invited seminar presentation to the Lunar Surface Innovation Consortium Cross-Cutting Capabilities (LSIC-CC) monthly seminar
STEAM Outreach in NASA: Example for Finnish Organizations in Various Sectors
October 27, 2023
Invitation from the Ministry of Education and Culture of Finland to network and keynote presentation on improving STEM opportunities through different communities.
Bringing the Perseverance Mission to the Blind and Deaf Communities
April 2022
National Informal STEM Education (NISE) Network April Convention
THE STEM GAP: WOMEN & GIRLS IN SCIENCE, MATHEMATICS, ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
March 31, 2022
2022 Murthy/Reihl Global Education Leadership Lecture, Community College of Baltimore County
Blind and Deaf Accessibility in Space Science Outreach Resources
December 1, 2021
Invited speaker for SMD's Science Activation 2021 Program and Diversability panelist
Ins and Outs of Cryovolcanism
June 28, 2021
Virtual seminar keynote to the D'Annunzio University of Chieti–Pescara Geology Department
Exploring the Flavors of Cryovolcanism
June 14, 2021
Seminar: Center for Earth and Planetary Studies, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution
Geology and Geophysics of Pluto
February 1, 2021
UC Santa Cruz Planetary Lunch Seminar Speaker (virtual)
Shake, Rattle & Roll: Seismology of the Solar System
January 15, 2021
Astronomical League Winter Star Party (virtual)
in A World...A Hollywood View of Planets
November 14, 2020
National Capital Area Skeptics (virtual speaker)
Pluto: From the Lab to the Maps
July 18, 2019
Howard Astronomical League, Maryland
InOMN 2018
October 20, 2018
Fayetteville Public Library
Space Volcanoes!
January 31, 2018
Fayetteville Public Library
Green Bank Star Quest (regular speaker)
December 2016
Regular speaker and occasional keynote (2016-present)
Other
A Conductivity and Dosimetry Probe for Lunar Surface and Volatile Exploration
December 13, 2023
Presentation at the American Geophysical Union 2023 Fall Meeting (San Francisco, CA).
Penetrator Science Objectives for the Moon and Artemis
September 2022
19th International Planetary Probes Workshop 2022 presentation
Lunar Science using Penetrators: Objectives and Concepts
July 2022
Poster presentation at the 2022 NASA Exploration Science Forum (virtual)
Shedding Light on the Darkness: Diversity of Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) at the Lunar South Pole
July 2021
Presentation at the 2021 NASA Exploration Science Forum (virtual)
Ices in the Solar System (ESA/ESAC) Madrid, Spain
January 2017
Speaker and Session Chair
Selected Public Outreach
Sun, Moon, Starlore
November 2018 - November 2018
Museum of Native American History (MONAH), Bentonville, AR
Meteorites of Arkansas and the World
September 2019 - September 2019
University of Arkansas Museum Invited Speaker
Gardening in Space
January 2021 - January 2021
WV Master Gardeners Seminar Speaker
NASA Solar System Ambassador Events
December 2017 - December Present
If you are interested in events I have been involved with through the NASA/JPL Solar System Ambassadors Program
Exploration of Jupiter’s moons : an example of American-European collaboration
April 2022 - April 2022
"To promote our Café des Sciences for the Science and Technology at the Consulate of France in Los Angeles, Dr. Caitlin Ahrens, NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow, gave us insights into Jupiter in Native American Culture, and into how indigenous’ Astro-knowledge has enriched today’s Space sciences." (Video/podcast presentation)
NASA's Exploration of the Moon: Past, Present, and Future The Moon
July 2023 - July 2023
Panel moderator and speaker for AwesomeCon 2023 (Washington, D.C.) panel about lunar exploration.
Killer Dust from Outer Space
February 2025 - February 2025
Invited presentation at the Dark Sky Festival, Death Valley National Park, February 2025
Uncover the wondrous and hazardous science that is dust on the Moon and Mars, and how we learn about dusty areas, like Death Valley, to help us understand dust dynamics at these far-off worlds! We’ll look at how dust is shiny, sharp, and electrifying; and how Artemis and Moon to Mars mission objectives will advance technologies to study and mitigate dust.
No Blueprint for the Moon: Challenges of Extraterrestrial Construction
February 2026 - February 2026
Presentations on extraterrestrial construction to the Virginia Tech Geology Department, involving early-career undergraduate students from geology, aerospace, physics/astronomy, and chemistry for a full day of presentations.