(Research AST, Planetary Studies)
| Email: | bethany.p.theiling@nasa.gov |
| Phone: | 301.614.6909 |
| Org Code: | 699 |
| Address: |
NASA/GSFC Mail Code 699 Greenbelt, MD 20771 |
| Employer: |
Analysis
We are developing a modular framework for an autonomous onboard science 'agent' that can perform sample analysis and use a combination of a priori assumptions and artificial intelligence to update science priorities, communicate findings, prioritize future science data collection, and carry out these actions in the absence of ground-in-the-loop interaction. This technology is specifically useful for planetary missions in which communication is difficult or episodic.
Astrochemistry
My group is a new cooperative network spanning mass spectrometer instrument developers, ocean worlds laboratory analog experimentalists, and machine learning experts in an effort toward developing science autonomy for ocean worlds missions. We are working to: 1) develop flight instruments that can function autonomously in order to achieve established science goals and 2) develop consistent and streamlined methods for interpreting data from flight mass spectrometers.
Atmospheric Measurement
We are developing machine learning models to predict in situ atmospheric isotopes using spacecraft data.
Astrochemistry
We are working toward developing predictive models for abiotic isotopic fractionation on, and analysis of mass spectra from, Ocean Worlds targets by conducting laboratory experiments of analog conditions.
Astrobiology
This project focuses on the viability of detecting isotopic biosignatures of life on Ocean Worlds through experimental laboratory analogs.
Astrobiology
Evaluation of habitability of ocean worlds environments through analysis of experimental laboratory analogs and computational modeling.
Ecosystem function
Study of widespread development of 'dead zones' - low oxygen oceanic zones typically positioned near continents - in Earth's past, with particular focus on the climatic and oceanographic conditions that promote dead zones, and well as recovery from these events. Research is conducted through a combination of fieldwork and laboratory analysis.
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Greenbelt, MD
August 2019 - Present
The University of Tulsa - Tulsa, OK
August 2015 - May 2019
Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech - Pasadena, CA
July 2013 - May 2015
Purdue University - West Lafayette, IN
June 2011 - July 2013
Undergraduate level:
Introduction to Oceanography
History of the Biosphere (lecture and lab)
Historical Geology (lecture and lab)
Environmental Science
Physical Geology (lecture and lab)
Physics I (lab)
Graduate level:
Geochemistry
Paleoenvironment Interpretation
Planetary Science
Ph.D., Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, May 2013
M.S., Geology, University of Georgia, December 2005
B.A., Anthropology; Linguistics minor, Florida State University, June 2003
2022. "Science Autonomy for Ocean Worlds Astrobiology: A Perspective.", Astrobiology, [10.1089/ast.2021.0062] [Journal Article/Letter]
2022. "Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) for a Future Europa Lander Mission.", Frontiers in Space Technologies, 2 760927 [Full Text] [10.3389/frspt.2021.760927] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Determining the “Biosignature Threshold” for Life Detection on Biotic, Abiotic, or Prebiotic Worlds.", Astrobiology, [10.1089/ast.2021.0079] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "The effect of Europa and Enceladus analog seawater composition on isotopic measurements of volatile CO2.", Icarus, 358 114216 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114216] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Laboratory Studies in Support of the Exploration of Ocean Worlds and NASA Missions.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.935e24ec] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "The value of CHONS isotopic measurements of major compounds as probes of planetary origin, evolution, and habitability.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.6c7da905] [Journal Article/Letter]
2021. "Advancing the Scientific Frontier with Increasingly Autonomous Systems.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.a09526a1] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "The relationship of diagenesis with a complex microbial ecosystem in the phosphatic interval of the Miocene Monterey Formation: evidence from stable isotopes and mineralogy.", Marine Geology, 413 112-128 [10.1016/j.margeo.2019.04.001] [Journal Article/Letter]
2019. "An international intercomparison of stable carbon isotope composition measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater.", Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 17 (3): 200-209 [10.1002/lom3.10300] [Journal Article/Letter]
2018. "Fire changes the spatial distribution and sources of soil organic carbon in a grassland-shrubland transition zone.", Plant and Soil, 435 (1-2): 309-321 [10.1007/s11104-018-3895-z] [Journal Article/Letter]
2018. "Investigating the Kinetics of Montmorillonite Clay-Catalyzed Conversion of Anthracene to 9,10-Anthraquinone in the Context of Prebiotic Chemistry.", Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, 48 (3): 321-330 [10.1007/s11084-018-9562-9] [Journal Article/Letter]
2017. "Constraining the timing and provenance of trans-Laurentian transport using Nd and Sm isotopes from Silurian and Devonian marine carbonates.", Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 466 392-405 [10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.09.012] [Journal Article/Letter]
2015. "Refining the extraction methodology of carbonate associated sulfate: Evidence from synthetic and natural carbonate samples.", Chemical Geology, 411 36-48 [10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.06.018] [Journal Article/Letter]
2012. "Increased continental weathering flux during orbital-scale sea-level highstands: Evidence from Nd and O isotope trends in Middle Pennsylvanian cyclic carbonates.", Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 342-343 17-26 [10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.04.017] [Journal Article/Letter]
2007. "Heterogeneity in Geochemical Expression of Subaerial Exposure in Limestones, and Its Implications for Sampling to Detect Exposure Surfaces.", Journal of Sedimentary Research, 77 (2): 159-169 [10.2110/jsr.2007.014] [Journal Article/Letter]
2025. "Science Autonomy using Machine Learning for Astrobiology.", white paper, [Full Text] [10.48550/arXiv.2504.00709] [Other]
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. "Salty Environments: The importance of evaporites and brine environments as habitats and preservers of biosignatures.", Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.d0fffbba] [Journal Article/Letter]