Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Luoth Chou

(RESEARCH AST, SOLAR SYSTEMS ANALYSIS)

Luoth Chou's Contact Card & Information.
Email: luoth.chou@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.614.5220
Org Code: 699
Address:
NASA/GSFC
Mail Code 699
Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer:
NASA

Brief Bio


Dr. Luoth (Lu) Chou is an astrobiologist and instrument scientist with an interest in developing new technologies for organic biosignatures detection and characterization, and to search for life in the solar system. She is currently a Research Scientist working on the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite onboard the Curiosity Rover in the Planetary Environments Lab at NASA GSFC. This research is focused on characterizing the organic matter composition of Mars in search for habitability and potential signs of life. She is also focusing on the development of front-end separation technologies that can be coupled to sensitive molecular detectors such as mass spectrometers. Prior to her current position, she was a NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Fellow, working with Dr. Paul Mahaffy and Dr. Sarah Stewart Johnson (Georgetown University) on the Laboratory for Agnostic Biosignatures project.


Dr. Chou received her B.S. in Microbiology from the University of Maryland at College Park, and her Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Her graduate research was focused on understanding the biogeochemistry of a cryogenic microbial ecosystem in the subsurface of Antarctica, while under the supervision of Dr. Fabien Kenig.

Current Projects


In situ characterization of organic molecules on Mars using the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite

Astrobiology

The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite, onboard the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, is capable of characterizing organic compounds in Martian sediments using thermal volatilization techniques (Evolved Gas Analysis), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). This research is specifically focused on using wet chemistry derivatizing reagents and GC-MS to help search for non-volatile organic molecules on Mars using SAM.


Development of flight chromatography instruments

Technology & Missions

Dr. Chou leads a team of engineers and scientists in the development of front-end separation systems that can be coupled to flight mass spectrometers. The goal of this project is to establish a foundation for chromatography science at NASA GSFC and prepare for future high priority life detection missions, including those to Mars, Enceladus, or Europa, as well as for lunar applications.

Education


Ph.D. Earth and Environmental Sciences (2019). University of Illinois at Chicago.

  • Dissertation: "The Organic Matter of Lake Vida, Antarctica: Biogeochemistry of an Icy Planetary World Analog". Advisor: Fabien Kenig.

B.S. Microbiology (2013). (Minor: Astronomy) University of Maryland, College Park. 

  • NASA Earth and Space Science (NESSF) Fellow

Positions/Employment


Research Physical Scientist

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD

December 2023 - Present


Postdoctoral Research Associate

CRESST II - University of Maryland, Baltimore County

March 2023 - December 2023

Investigating organic matter on Mars using the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite onboard the Curiosity rover as part of the Mars Science Laboratory mission.


NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) Fellow / Georgetown Postdoctoral Fellow

USRA, Georgetown University - NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

September 2019 - February 2023

Agnostic biosignature detection using mass spectrometry


Graduate Researcher

University of Illinois at Chicago - Chicago, IL

August 2013 - August 2019

The Organic Matter of Lake Vida, Antarctica: Biogeochemistry of an Icy Planetary World Analog


Undergraduate Research Intern

Food and Drug Administration - Laurel, MD

June 2011 - May 2013

The molecular genetics of Listeria monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen, under cold and salinity stress

Awards


  • NASA GSFC Science and Solar System Directorate Excellence in DEIA Award. Aug 2023
  • NASA GSFC Solar System Exploration Division Peer Award. Aug 2023
  • NASA GSFC Solar System Exploration Division Special Thanks And Recognition (STAR) award. Aug 2023
  • American Chemical Society CAS Future Leaders Top 100. March 2023
  • NASA Goddard Solar System Exploration Directorate - Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity - Group Award (x2)
  • NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellowship. March 2020.
  • NASA Early Career Collaboration Award. Fall 2018. (Declined)
  • NASA Earth and Space Science Fellowship. Fall 2016 - Spring 2019.
  • Chancellor’s Graduate Research Fellowship. University of Illinois at Chicago. Summer 2015-16.
  • On To the Future Travel Award. Geological Society of America. Fall 2015.
  • LAS PhD Travel Award. University of Illinois at Chicago. Fall 2015.
  • Bodmer Science International Travel Award. University of Illinois at Chicago. Summer 2015.
  • Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award. National Association of Geoscience Teachers. Spring 2015.
  • Graduate Research Fellowship. Illinois Space Grant Consortium (ISGC). Fall 2014.
  • The Colonnade Society Undergraduate Scholarship. U of MD Alumni Association. Fall 2012.
  • The College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences Scholarship. U of MD. Spr 2012.

Special Experience


  • NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Planetary Winter School. 2021
  • NASA Dragonfly Meeting Observer Program, Participant. November 2020.
  • Santa Fe Institute (2 weeks). Visiting Scientist. November 2019.
  • NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (10 weeks remote, 1 week on site). July 2017. Project Manager for JPL Planetary Science Summer Seminar. Mission design exercise for a Centaur Reconnaissance Mission.
  • Biosignatures and the Search for Life on Mars Summer School (2 weeks). Summer 2016. Iceland.
  • The International Geobiology Course (5 weeks). Summer 2015. California, Nevada, and Catalina Island.
  • The History and Philosophy of Astrobiology Summer School (1 week). Summer 2015. Ven Island, Sweden.
  • Josep Comas i Solà International Summer School in Astrobiology (1 week). Summer 2014. Santander, Spain.

Publications


Refereed

2024. "Environmental Changes Recorded in Sedimentary Rocks in the Clay-Sulfate Transition Region in Gale Crater, Mars: Results from the Sample Analysis at Mars-Evolved Gas Analysis Instrument onboard the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 129 e2024JE008587 [Full Text] [10.1029/2024JE008587] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Chapter 8: Searching for Life Beyond Earth." Astrobiology 24 (S1): S-164-S-185 [10.1089/ast.2021.0104] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Chapter 9: Life as We Don't Know It." Astrobiology 24 (S1): S-186-S-201 [10.1089/ast.2021.0103] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Chapter 1: The Astrobiology Primer 3.0." Astrobiology 24 (S1): S-4-S-39 [10.1089/ast.2021.0129] [Journal Article/Letter]

2023. "Detection of Short Peptide Biosignatures of Psychrophiles via Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry." Astrobiology [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2022.0138] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Science Autonomy for Ocean Worlds Astrobiology: A Perspective." Astrobiology [10.1089/ast.2021.0062] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Planetary Mass Spectrometry for Agnostic Life Detection in the Solar System." Frontiers in Astronomy and Space Sciences 8 (173): [Full Text] [10.3389/fspas.2021.755100] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "The Grayness of the Origin of Life." Life 11 (6): 498 [10.3390/life11060498] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Organic sulfones in the brine of Lake Vida, East Antarctica." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 292 409-426 [10.1016/j.gca.2020.10.001] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report." Astrobiology 20 (6): ast.2020.2237 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2020.2237] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Comment on “Evaluation of the Tenax Trap in the Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite on the Curiosity Rover as a Potential Hydrocarbon Source for Chlorinated Organics Detected in Gale Crater” by Miller et al. (2015)." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 124 (2): 644-647 [10.1029/2018je005606] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Camilla: A centaur reconnaissance and impact mission concept." Planetary and Space Science 164 184-193 [10.1016/j.pss.2018.07.008] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Effects of legacy metabolites from previous ecosystems on the environmental metabolomics of the brine of Lake Vida, East Antarctica." Organic Geochemistry 122 161-170 [10.1016/j.orggeochem.2018.05.002] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Secondary Electrons as an Energy Source for Life." Astrobiology 18 (1): 73-85 [10.1089/ast.2016.1510] [Journal Article/Letter]

2016. "Perchlorate and volatiles of the brine of Lake Vida (Antarctica): Implication for the in situ analysis of Mars sediments." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 121 (7): 1190-1203 [10.1002/2015je004964] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "A novel gene, lstC, of Listeria monocytogenes is implicated in high salt tolerance." Food Microbiology 48 72-82 [10.1016/j.fm.2014.12.008] [Journal Article/Letter]

Non-Refereed

2021. "Appeal for Improved Sample Selection, Preparation and Interpretation Standards for Organic Biosignature Experiments Performed by Flight Instruments." Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032 520 [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Non-Robotic Science Autonomy Development." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.ee4e6b64] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "We Should Search for Extant Life on Mars in this Decade." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.36ef5e33] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Towards a more universal life detection strategy." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [Full Text] [10.3847/25c2cfeb.53a24171] [Journal Article/Letter]

Professional Service


  • NASA Review Panel. Group Chief, Panelist, External Panelist, Executive Secretary (2014, 2018(x2), 2019, 2020(x3), 2021, 2023, 2024(x2))
  • Network for Life Detection (NfoLD). Early Career Council - Lead Team Member (February 2020 - February 2021)
  • Conference Organization:
  • AbGradCon2022 (canceled)
  • Core Organizing Committee. Coordinate, organize, plan, and co-chair the early-career focused conference in Astrobiology. Develop the scientific program, coordinate the logistics, and work to secure funding for 100+ attendees including domestic and international participants.
  • Astrobiology Science conference 2022
  • Session Organizer and Session Chair. "General Principles of Life: Towards understanding universal biology"
  • American Geophysical Union 2020
  • Session Organizer and Session Chair. “Detecting life through space and time: from geochemistry to biology” 
  • Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion:
  • NASA Goddard Association of Postdoctoral Scientists (NGAPS+). Member. 2021
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Subcommittee
  • NASA Mission Equity Request for Information. 2021
  • Bystandard Awareness Training Workshop. 2021
  • NASA Goddard SSED Diversity and Inclusion Working Group. Member. 2021
  • Activities resulted in concrete action plans to address workplace disparities, reports that audit inequitable policies and climate culture, and ongoing surveys and deliverables that aim to enhance the diversity and equity of NASA
  • Unlearning Racism in Geosciences (URGE). Member 2021.
  • NASA Goddard Solar System Exploration Division and Georgetown University 
  • Reviewer. Astrobiology, Icarus, Frontiers, Science Advances

Talks, Presentations and Posters


Invited

Searching for Life-as-we-don't-know-it Using Planetary Mass Spectrometry

May 2023

Pennsylvania State University. Earth Talks Series.


Leveraging Planetary Mass Spectrometry for Agnostic Life Detection

June 2022

Astrobiology Science Conference 2022. Invited talk for Session: Detecting Life-as-we-don’t-know-it


Signatures of Life in Cold, Subsurface Brines: An Astrobiology Analog for Icy Planetary Worlds

March 2022

Georgia Institute of Technology, Astrobiology & Planetary Science Seminar


Signatures of Life in Cold, Subsurface Brines: An Astrobiology Analog for Icy Planetary Worlds

June 2021

Invited talk for Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Department of Marine Chemistry & Geochemistry. Departmental Seminar.


Biosignatures of Life-as-we-don't-know-it

May 2021

Invited talk for University of Florida, Department of Geological Sciences, Astrobiology Seminar.


Agnostic Biosignatures Detection Using Mass Spectrometry

April 2021

Invited talk for University of Maryland, College Park. Department of Geology. Departmental Seminar.


Universal Life Detection Strategies and applicability to Mars missions

December 2020

Invited talk for the NASEM Planetary Science & Astrobiology Decadal Survey Panel on Mars


Biosignatures, familiar and unfamiliar

November 2020

Invited lecture for Astrobiology course at Williams College


Agnostic Biosignatures Detection using Mass Spectrometry

August 2020

Solar System Exploration Division Science Seminar for the Director. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center


Environmental Geochemistry: Introduction to Organic Geochemistry

March 2017

UIC Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences


Astrobiology: in search of who’s out there by looking at who we are

March 2016

UIC Biology Colloquium

Other

Selected Public Outreach


NASA Goddard Engage Session. Mars Science Laboratory 10th Landing Anniversary

September 2022 - September 2022

Served as a panelist to discuss the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite and its scientific and technical achievements in studying Mars in the past decade


NASA Goddard CRESST II Undergraudate Interaction Day

November 2021 - November 2021

Gave an lecture to a number of undergraduate students on NASA research as part of the CRESST Internship program


Astrobiology Lecture at the Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart (Bethesda, Maryland)

May 2021 - May 2021

Gave an interactive lecture on bioorganic chemistry and how to search for life on Mars


Interview with NASA Goddard SSED Science Exhibit Team

November 2020 - November 2020

Subject matter expert for content development for the new planetary exhibit at the Goddard Visitor Center


Visits to Chicago Montessori School

May 2017 - May 2019

Co-create lesson plans and in-class demonstrations of geology, and planetary science. Visited the Chicago Montessori School multiple times over a period of three years.


Visit to Brentano Math and Science Academy

2018 - 2018


SAGANet.org Astrobiology “expert”.

September 2018 - September 2019

Volunteer as an Astrobiology "Expert" at SAGANet.org. Previously monthly newsletter organizer.


AbGradCon Outreach Event. “An Evening of Wonder – Life and Art on Earth and Beyond”

July 2018 - July 2018

Volunteered as an astrobiologist to speak with the general public at Georgia Tech University


March for Science Chicago - Social Media Organizer and Science Marshal

March 2017 - May 2017

Part of the organizing group for the March for Science at Chicago event. On April 22nd, 2017, approximately 60,000+ people attended the march.