Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Jennifer L Eigenbrode

(RESEARCH AST, PLANETARY STUDIES)

Jennifer L Eigenbrode's Contact Card & Information.
Email: jennifer.l.eigenbrode@nasa.gov
Phone: 301.614.5967
Org Code: 699
Address:
NASA/GSFC
 Mail Code 699
 Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer:
NASA

Brief Bio

Jennifer Eigenbrode is an interdisciplinary astrobiologist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, specializing in organic (bio)geochemistry of martian and ocean-world environments. As a Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) collaborator and participating scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) mission, she investigates in situ detection, alteration, and preservation of organic molecules and salts in irradiated and aqueously altered martian sediments. Her research focuses on the processes and materials that impact extraterrestrial records of organic chemical evolution (abiotic to biotic transitions) in rocks, sediments, ice, and aerosols. Her work is motivated by understanding organic chemicals on planets and moons beyond Earth and includes technology developments that improve planetary mission design, contamination control, instrument measurements, and in situ resource utilization. Aside from her research, she has led subsurface-Mars and Enceladus mission concepts.

 

Current Projects

Enceladus Life Signatures And Habitability mission concept

Astrobiology

  • This mission concept that involves flying through the plume of Saturn's moon, Enceladus. In doing so, samples of material escaping the subsurface ocean would be captured for life signature and habitability measurements.

Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite, Mars Science Laboratory Mission (Curiosity rover)

Mars

  • Collaborator on the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) team since 2007
  • Developed the calibration gas on SAM, supported initial development of operational procedures, and supported strategic science discussions
  • Current involvement includes data processing, laboratory analyses to support data interpretations, and development of the thermochemolysis wet chemistry experiment (using TMAH in methanol)
  • MSL Participating scientist 2012-2022, with continued support as a Co-I through 2026.
  • Support for MSL mission operations (long term planner and science theme group lead) since 2012

Radiolysis of organic materials in space and planetary environments

Astrobiology

  • Conducts research on irradiated analog materials to understand possible changes in the organic geochemistry of surface materials at Mars, on Ocean Worlds, and small bodies in the Solar System (asteroids, etc.)
  • Conducts research on the how other sample matrix (mineralogy, salts, water content) and processing (radiation type and energy) variables impact radiolysis of organic materials

Sample Processing Methods for integrated chemical detection technologies

Technology & Missions

  • Focus applications are for Mars and Ocean Worlds (e.g., Enceladus, Europa, etc.)
  • This ongoing research theme involves technology developments for sample processing of rock, soils, and icy samples so that they can be analyzed by other technologies, such as gas chromatographs, mass spectrometers, etc.
  • Analyses are largely focused on measurements of organic molecules that may host signatures of biological or non-biological sources.

Signatures of Life in Ice (SLIce)

Astrobiology

  • Signatures of Life in Ice (SLIce) project aims to understand the organic inventory and inorganic impurities of glacial and sea ice as a means of supporting planetary missions for detecting organic materials in ice beyond Earth (Mars, Enceladus, Europa, etc.)
  • Prior fieldwork was in collaboration with the Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition (AMASE), 2006-2009
  • Field sites of interest are diverse, ranging from frozen lakes, sea ice, to glacial environments
  • Formation and chemistry of organics within ice and organic films (biofilm or condensation) at the water-ice interface, as well as the ecological record retained are of interest

Positions/Employment

Research Space Scientist

NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Solar System Exploration Division, Planetary Environments Laboratory - Greenbelt, MD

2007 - Present

https://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/699/projects/

Postdoctoral Fellow

Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington - Washington, DC

2004 - 2007

  • Research focused on developing methods of biological and organic decontaminating field gear and investigating tests of differentiating ancient and recent lipids in Mars analogs from Svalbard with Marilyn Fogel.

Astrobiology Research Assistant and Fellow

Penn State University - State College, PA

2000 - 2003

Shell Oil Research Fellow

Indiana University - Bloomington, IN

1997 - 1998

Intern

Shell Deepwater Development - New Orleans, LA

1996 - 1996

  • Analyzed compound specific carbon and hydrogen isotope data for gases in the deepwater Gulf of Mexico to discern thermogic verse biogenic gas sources.

Associate Instructor

Indiana University - Bloomington, IN

August 1996 - August 1997

Visiting Technical Assistant

University of Texas, Institute for Geophysics - Austin, TX

1995 - 1996

Consultant and Intern

US Geological Survey, Environmental Geophysics - Golden, CO

1994 - 1995

Teaching/Research Assistant

Dept. of Geology, James Madison University - Harrisonburg, VA

1991 - 1994

Education

  • Ph.D. in Geosciences (2004), Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA. Dissertation: Late Archean Microbial Ecology: An Integration of Molecular, Isotopic, and Lithologic Records.
  • M.S. in Geological Sciences (1999), Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA. Thesis: Late Holocene High-Resolution Terrestrial Climate Change Recorded in Sedimentary Organic Matter of Soda Lake, San Luis Obispo County, California.
  • B.S. in Geology (1994), James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, USA. Thesis: Clay Mineralogy of River Terrace Soils, Augusta County, Virginia.

 

Professional Service

  • Dragonfly Mission Standing Review Board member (2022 - present)
  • NASA HQ Mars Sample Return Independent Review Board Response Team (MIRT) (2023-2024)
  • Mars Exploration Program Standing Review Board member (2021)
  • Mars Architecture Strategy Working Group participant (2019 to 2020)
  • Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group Executive Committee (2018 to 2021)
  • Mars Exploration Program Program Implementation Review (PIR) Standing Review Board consultant (2018)
  • Europa Lander delta-MCR Standing Review Board member (2018)
  • Small Business Innovative Research subtopic manager (2016-2021)
  • Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group Goals Committee (Goal 1) (2014-2018)
  • Science organization committee member for the Biosignatures of Extant Life on Ocean Worlds (BELOW) workshop (2016)
  • Science organization committee member for the “Rethinking Biosignatures” Workshop (a.k.a. “Agnostic Biosignatures” workshop) (2016)
  • Mars2020 Science Definition Team (2012-2013)
  • MSL Landing Site Working Group (2010-11)
  • Mars Biosignature Working Group (2009-10)
  • NASA Astrobiology Institute Strategic Science Initiative Workshop (2009)
  • Member of the Next Decadal- Science Analysis Group for Mars Sample Return, MEPAG (2007)
  • Treasurer, Geomicrobiology/Geobiology Division, Geological Society of America (2006)
  • Member of Science Directorates Council, GSFC (2007-2008)
  • Member of the Program Organization Committee for the Pale Blue Dot Workshop (2006)
  • Session Co-Chair: Interdisciplinary Research in Cold-Mars Analogue Environments at Astrobiology Science Conference, Washington, DC (2006)
  • Session Co-Chair: Earth's Carbon Cycle: Sources, Recycling Pathways, and Geochemical Evolution at AGU Spring Meeting, Baltimore (2006)
  • Member of the Scientific Organization Committee for the Astrobiology Science Conference, Washington, DC (2006)

Awards

  • 2024 NASA Goddard Accomplished Performance Award
  • 2023 NASA Goddard Accomplished Performance Award
  • 2022 NASA Agency Award - Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal (for contamination control technology in support of future life detection missions)
  • 2022 NASA Goddard Distinguished Performance Award
  • 2021 Penn State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, 125th Anniversary Fellowship Award
  • 2020 NASA Goddard Distinguished Performance Award
  • 2019 NASA Ames Honor Award to ExCALiBR Team for excellence in team work
  • 2018 Robert H. Goddard Honor Award for Science
  • 2018 Robert H. Goddard Honor Awarded to the Enceladus Life Signature and Habitability Team for New Opportunities Captured 
  • 2018 NASA Space Mission Technology Directorate Honorable Achievement for the Small Business Innovation Research Program
  • 2015 NASA Group Achievement Award to the MSL prime mission science and operations team
  • 2014 NASA Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement Outreach Team to the Astrobiology Walk Design Team
  • 2013 NASA Group Achievement Award to the MSL Science Office Development and Operations team
  • 2013 NASA Group Achievement Award to the MSL SAM Instrument Development and Science team
  • 2011 NASA Group Achievement Award to the Sample Analysis at Mars team
  • 2010 Robert H. Goddard Award for Exceptional Achievement in Science
  • 2009 NASA Goddard Innovator of the Year Award
  • 2009 NASA Goddard Distinguished Performance Award
  • 2007-2008 NASA Goddard Awards
  • 2004-2006 Carnegie Post-Doctoral Fellowship, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Geophysical Laboratory
  • 2002 Penn State Astrobiology Fellowship
  • 2001 Gerald A. Soffen Award for Student Research, NASA Astrobiology Institute
  • 2000-2004 Pennsylvania Space Grant Fellowship
  • 1999 NSF Antarctica Service Medal
  • 1998 Earth System Science Center Teaching Fellowship, Penn State University
  • 1998 Estwing Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement, Indiana University
  • 1997 Shell Oil Fellowship, Indiana University
  • 1997 Geological Society of America Outstanding Student Research Award
  • 1994 Philips Cosminski Award, James Madison University

Selected Publications

Refereed

2025. "Long-chain alkanes preserved in a martian mudstone." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA 122 (13): e2420580122 [Full Text] [10.1073/pnas.2420580122] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Diverse Organic Molecules on Mars Revealed by the SAM TMAH Experiment." Nature [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Overview: ‘The Life Detection Knowledge Base’ Special Issue." Astrobiology [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Life Detection Knowledge Base: Taxonomy of Potential Biosignatures." Astrobiology [Journal Article/Letter]

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. "Organic Products of Fatty Acid and Magnesium Sulfate Mixtures after Gamma Radiolysis: Implications for Missions to Europa." Astrobiology 126 (4): e2020JE006803 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2024.0047] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Highly enriched carbon and oxygen isotopes in carbonate-derived CO2 at Gale crater, Mars." PNAS 121 (42): e2321342121 [Full Text] [10.1073/pnas.2321342121] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Enceladus: Astrobiology Revisited." Journal of Geophysical Research - Biogeosciences 129 (5): e2023JG007677 [10.1029/2023JG007677] [Journal Article/Letter]

2024. "Analysis of aromatic carboxylic acid and calcium salt couples with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: Implications and comparison with in situ measurements at Mars' surface." Icarus 413 116015 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116015] [Journal Article/Letter]

2023. "Murchison Meteorite Analysis using Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide (TMAH) Thermochemolysis under Simulated Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Conditions." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets 128 (11): e2023JE007968 [Full Text] [10.1029/2023JE007968] [Journal Article/Letter]

2023. "Detection of Short Peptide Biosignatures of Psychrophiles via Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry." Astrobiology 23 (6): 657–669 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2022.0138] [Journal Article/Letter]

2023. "Changes in the Spectroscopic Signatures of Irradiated Organic-Mineral Mixtures: Implications for Molecular Biosignature Detection on Mars." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets 128 (2): e2022JE007624 [Full Text] [10.1029/2022JE007624] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Constraining Alteration Processes Along the Siccar Point Group Unconformity, Gale Crater, Mars: Results from the Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets 127 (11): e2022JE007387 [10.1029/2022JE007387] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Organic carbon concentrations in 3.5-billion-year-old lacustrine mudstones of Mars." Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 119 (27): e2201139119 [Full Text] [10.1073/pnas.2201139119] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "The Curiosity Rover’s Exploration of Glen Torridon, Gale crater, Mars: An Overview of the Campaign and Scientific Results." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets 128 (1): e2022JE007185 [Full Text] [10.1029/2022JE007185] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Evolved gas analyses of sedimentary rocks from the Glen Torridon Clay-Bearing Unit, Gale crater, Mars: Results from the Mars Science Laboratory Sample Analysis at Mars Instrument Suite." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 127 (9): e2022JE007179 [10.1029/2022JE007179] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Oxidized and reduced sulfur observed by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Curiosity rover within the Glen Torridon region at Gale crater, Mars." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 127 (9): e2021JE007084 [Full Text] [10.1029/2021JE007084] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Science Objectives for Flagship-class mission concepts for the search for evidence of life at Enceladus." Astrobiology 22 (6): 629-768 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2020.2425] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "Depleted carbon isotope compositions observed at Gale crater, Mars." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 119 (4): e2115651119 [Full Text] [10.1073/pnas.2115651119] [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. "Organic molecules revealed in Mars’s Bagnold Dunes by Curiosity’s derivatization experiment ." Nature Astronomy 6 129-140 [Full Text] [10.1038/s41550-021-01507-9] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Contamination Control for Ultra-Sensitive Life-Detection Missions." Frontiers in Space Technologies 2 734423 [Full Text] [10.3389/frspt.2021.734423] [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. "Influence of calcium perchlorate on search for Martian organic compounds with MTBSTFA/DMF derivatization." Astrobiology 21 (9): 1137-1156 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2020.2393] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "A Review of the Phyllosilicates in Gale Crater as Detected by the CheMin Instrument on the Mars Science Laboratory, Curiosity Rover." Minerals 11 (8): 847 [Full Text] [10.3390/min11080847] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Spectroscopic Characterization of Samples from Different Environments in a Volcano-Glacial Region in Iceland: Implications for in situ Planetary Exploration." Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 263 (15): 120205 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.saa.2021.120205] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "The Science Case for a Return to Enceladus." The Planetary Science Journal 2 (4): 132 [Full Text] [10.3847/psj/abfb7a] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "A review of Sample Analysis at Mars-Evolved Gas Analysis (SAM-EGA) laboratory analog work supporting the presence of perchlorates and chlorates in Gale crater, Mars." Minerals 11 (5): [Full Text] [10.3390/min11050475] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "The Enceladus Orbilander Mission Concept: Balancing Return and Resources in the Search for Life." The Planetary Science Journal 2 (2): 77 [Full Text] [10.3847/psj/abe4da] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Pyrolysis of Oxalate, Acetate, and Perchlorate Mixtures and the Implications for Organic Salts on Mars." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets 126 (4): e2020JE006803 [Full Text] [10.1029/2020JE006803] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Influence of Calcium Perchlorate on the Search for Organics on Mars with Tetramethylammonium Hydroxide Thermochemolysis." Astrobiology 21 (3): 279-297 [10.1089/ast.2020.2252] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Detection of reduced sulfur on Vera Rubin ridge by quadratic discriminant analysis of volatiles observed during evolved gas analysis." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 125 (8): e2019JE006304 [Full Text] [10.1029/2019JE006304] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report." Astrobiology 20 (6): 785-814 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2020.2237] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Constraints on the Mineralogy and Geochemistry of the Vera Rubin ridge, Gale Crater, Mars, from Mars Science Laboratory Sample Analysis at Mars Evolved Gas Analyses." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets [Full Text] [10.1029/2019JE006309] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Portable flow device using Fourier ptychography microscopy and deep learning for detection in biosignatures." Real-Time Image Processing and Deep Learning 2020 11401 1-6 [Full Text] [10.1117/12.2557316] [Proceedings]

2020. "The search for organic compounds with TMAH thermochemolysis: from Earth analyses to space exploration experiments." TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry 115896 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.trac.2020.115896] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "First detections of dichlorobenzene isomers and trichloromethylpropane from organic matter indigenous to Mars mudstone in Gale Crater, Mars: Results from the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument onboard the Curiosity Rover." Astrobiology 20 (2): 292–306 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2018.1908] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Indigenous and exogenous organics and surface-atmosphere cycling inferred from carbon and oxygen isotopes at Gale crater." Nature Astronomy 4 526-532 [Full Text] [10.1038/s41550-019-0990-x] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Radiolysis of macromolecular organic material in Mars‐relevant mineral matrices." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 124 3257-3266 [Full Text] [10.1029/2019je006072] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Role of the Tenax® adsorbent in the interpretation of the EGA and GC‐MS analyses performed with the Sample Analysis at Mars in Gale crater." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 2819-2851 [Full Text] [10.1029/2019je005973] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Investigating the effects of gamma radiation on selected chemicals for use in biosignature detection instruments on the surface of Jupiter’s moon Europa." Planetary and Space Science 175 1-12 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.pss.2019.05.009] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Application of TMAH thermochemolysis to the detection of nucleobases: application to the MOMA and SAM space experiment." Talanta 204 802-811 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.talanta.2019.06.076] [Journal Article/Letter]

2019. "Recovery of Fatty Acids from Mineralogic Mars Analogs by TMAH Thermochemolysis for the Sample Analysis at Mars Wet Chemistry Experiment on the Curiosity Rover." Astrobiology 19 (4): 522-546 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2018.1819] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Abiotic input of fixed nitrogen by bolide impacts to Gale crater during the Hesperian. Insights from the Mars Science Laboratory." Journal of Geophysical Research-Planets 124 (1): 94-113 [Full Text] [10.1029/2018JE005852] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Organic synthesis on Mars by electrochemical reduction of CO2." Science Advances 4 (10): eaat5118 [Full Text] [10.1126/sciadv.aat5118] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Major Volatiles Evolved From Eolian Materials in Gale Crater." Geophysical Research Letters [Full Text] [10.1029/2018gl079059] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Syndepositional precipitation of calcium sulfate in Gale Crater, Mars." Terra Nova 30 (6): 431-439 [Full Text] [10.1111/ter.12359] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Organic matter preserved in 3-billion-year-old mudstones at Gale crater, Mars." Science 360 (6393): 1096-1101 [Full Text] [10.1126/science.aas9185] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Background levels of methane in Mars’ atmosphere show strong seasonal variations." Science 360 (6393): 1093-1096 [10.1126/science.aaq0131] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Constraints on the Metabolic Activity of Microorganisms in Atacama Surface Soils Inferred from Refractory Biomarkers: Implications for Martian Habitability and Biomarker Detection." Astrobiology 18 (7): 955–966 [10.1089/ast.2017.1705] [Journal Article/Letter]

2018. "Follow the Plume: Organic Molecules and Habitable Conditions in the Subsurface Ocean of Enceladus." White Paper [Full Text] [Report]

2017. "Large sulfur isotope fractionations in Martian sediments at Gale crater." Nature Geoscience 10 658–662 [Full Text] [10.1038/ngeo3002] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Mineralogy of an ancient lacustrine mudstone succession from the Murray formation, Gale crater, Mars." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 471 172-185 [10.1016/j.epsl.2017.04.021] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Evolved Gas Analyses of Sedimentary Rocks and Eolian Sediment in Gale Crater, Mars: Results of the Curiosity Rover's Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) Instrument from Yellowknife Bay to the Namib Dune." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 122 (12): 2574-2609 [Full Text] [10.1002/2016je005225] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Initial SAM Calibration Gas Experiments on Mars: Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer Results and Implications." Planetary and Space Science 138 44-54 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.pss.2017.01.014] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Low Hesperian PCO2 constrained from in situ mineralogical analysis at Gale Crater, Mars." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 114 (9): 2166-2170 [10.1073/pnas.1616649114] [Journal Article/Letter]

2017. "Xeropreservation of functionalized lipid biomarkers in hyperarid soils in the Atacama Desert." Organic Geochemistry 103 97-104 [10.1016/j.orggeochem.2016.10.015] [Journal Article/Letter]

2016. "Potential precursor compounds for chlorohydrocarbons detected in Gale Crater, Mars, by the SAM instrument suite on the Curiosity Rover." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 121 (3): 296-308 [10.1002/2015je004939] [Journal Article/Letter]

2016. "Light and variable 37Cl/35Cl ratios in rocks from Gale Crater, Mars: Possible signature of perchlorate." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 438 14-24 [10.1016/j.epsl.2015.12.013] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "A cometary origin for martian atmospheric methane." Geochemical Perspectives Letters 2 (1): 10-23 [10.7185/geochemlet.1602] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "Carbon and sulfur isotopic signatures of ancient life and environment at the microbial scale: Neoarchean shales and carbonates." Geobiology 14 (2): 105-128 [10.1111/gbi.12163] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "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." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 120 (8): 1446-1459 [10.1002/2015je004825] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "The origin and implications of clay minerals from Yellowknife Bay, Gale crater, Mars." American Mineralogist 100 (4): 824-836 [10.2138/am-2015-5077ccbyncnd] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "Organic molecules in the Sheepbed Mudstone, Gale Crater, Mars." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 120 (3): 495-514 [Full Text] [10.1002/2014JE004737] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "The imprint of atmospheric evolution in the D/H of Hesperian clay minerals on Mars." Science 347 (6220): 412-414 [Full Text] [10.1126/science.1260291] [Journal Article/Letter]

2015. "Evidence for indigenous nitrogen in sedimentary and aeolian deposits from the Curiosity rover investigations at Gale crater, Mars." Proceedings of National Academy of Science 112 (14): 4245-4250 [Full Text] [10.1073/pnas.1420932112] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Volatile and Organic Compositions of Sedimentary Rocks in Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars." Science 343 (6169): 1245267 [Full Text] [doi:10.1126/science.1245267] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Sulfur-bearing Phases Detected by Evolved Gas Analysis of the Rocknest Aeolian Deposit, Gale Crater." J. Geophys. Res. 119 (2): 373-393 [Full Text] [10.1002/2013JE004518] [Journal Article/Letter]

2014. "Abundances and Implications of Volatile-bearing Species from Evolved Gas Analysis of the Rocknest Aeolian Deposit, Gale Crater, Mars." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 119 (1): 237-254 [Full Text] [10.1002/2013JE004493] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "A Habitable Fluvio-Lacustrine Environment at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars." Science 343 (6169): 1242777-1242777 [10.1126/science.1242777] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Mars' Surface Radiation Environment Measured with the Mars Science Laboratory's Curiosity Rover." Science 343 (6169): 1244797-1244797 [10.1126/science.1244797] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "In Situ Radiometric and Exposure Age Dating of the Martian Surface." Science 343 (6169): 1247166-1247166 [10.1126/science.1247166] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Evidence for perchlorates and the origin of chlorinated hydrocarbons detected by SAM at the Rocknest aeolian deposit in Gale Crater ." Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets 118 1955-1973 [10.1002/jgre.20144] [Journal Article/Letter]

2013. "Volatile, Isotope, and Organic Analysis of Martian Fines with the Mars Curiosity Rover." Science 341 (6153): 1238937 [Full Text] [10.1126/science.1238937] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "The Mars Science Laboratory Organic Check Material." Space Science Reviews 170 (1-4): 479-501 [10.1007/s11214-012-9893-1] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "The Sample Analysis at Mars Investigation and Instrument Suite." Space Sci Rev 170 (1-4): 401-478 [10.1007/s11214-012-9879-z] [Journal Article/Letter]

2012. "The influence of mineralogy on recovering organic acids from Mars analogue materials using the "one-pot" derivatization experiment on the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite." Planet. Space Sci. 67 1-13 [10.1016/j.pss.2012.02.010] [Journal Article/Letter]

2011. "Preservation of Martian Organic and Environmental Records: Final Report of the Mars Biosignature Working Group." Astrobiology 11 (2): 157–181 [10.1089/ast.2010.0506] [Journal Article/Letter]

2010. "Iron and carbon isotope evidence for ecosystem and environmental diversity in the ~27 to 25 Ga Hamersley Province, Western Australia." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 292 (1-2): 70-80 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.epsl.2010.01.032] [Journal Article/Letter]

2009. "A Field-Based Cleaning Protocol for Sampling Devices Used in Life-Detection Studies." Astrobiology 9 (5): 455-465 [10.1089/ast.2008.0275] [Journal Article/Letter]

2008. "Methylhopane biomarker hydrocarbons in Hamersley province sediments provide evidence for Neoarchean aerobiosis." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 273 (3-4): 323-331 [Full Text] [10.1016/j.epsl.2008.06.037] [Journal Article/Letter]

2007. "Fossil lipids for life detection: A case study from the early Earth record." Space Science Reviews 135 161-185 [10.1007/s11214-007-9252-9] [Journal Article/Letter]

2006. "Late Archean rise of aerobic microbial ecosystems." Proceedings of the National Academy of Science 103 (43): 15759–15764 [Full Text] [10.1073/pnas.0607540103] [Journal Article/Letter]

2005. "Tellurium isotopic composition of the early solar system—A search for effects resulting from stellar nucleosynthesis, 126Sn decay, and mass-independent fractionation." Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta 69 (21): 5099-5112 [10.1016/j.gca.2005.04.020] [Journal Article/Letter]

2003. "New insights into Archean sulfur cycle from mass-independent sulfur isotope records from the Hamersley Basin, Australia." Earth and Planetary Science Letters 213 (1-2): 15-30 [10.1016/S0012-821X(03)00295-4] [Journal Article/Letter]

2001. "Organic haze in Earth's early atmosphere: Source of low-13C Late Archean kerogens?." Geology 29 (11): 1003 [10.1130/0091-7613(2001)029<1003:ohiese>2.0.co;2] [Journal Article/Letter]

1998. "A laboratory exercise on cratering in a geology course for non-science majors." Journal of Geoscience Education 46 (2): 164-168 [Full Text] [10.5408/1089-9995-46.2.164] [Journal Article/Letter]

Non-Refereed

2024. "Investigating the Organic Chemical Evolution of Enceladus Recorded by the Macromolecular Organic Matter from Its Plume." ESS Open Archive [Full Text] [10.22541/essoar.171587177.75299058/v1] [Proceedings]

2021. "Solar-System-Wide Significance of Mars Polar Science." Bulletin of the AAS 53 (4): [Full Text] [10.3847/25c2cfeb.4db95c67] [Other]

2020. "Enceladus Orbilander: A Flagship Mission Concept for Astrobiology." white paper [Full Text] [Other]

2020. "Contamination control for ultra-sensitive life detection missions ." 43rd COSPAR Scientific Assembly 2021 [Full Text] [Other]

2020. "Contamination Control Technology Study for Achieving the Science Objectives of Life-Detection Missions." NASA/TM-20205008709 [Full Text] [Report]

2018. "Searching for Life in an Ocean World: The Enceladus Life Signatures and Habitability (ELSAH) mission concept." 42nd COSPAR Scientific Assembly [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2018. "A universal approach in the search for life at the molecular level." A White Paper in response to the ASTROBIOLOGY SCIENCE STRATEGY FOR THE SEARCH FOR LIFE IN THE UNIVERSE [Other]

2017. "The Preservation and Detection of Organic Matter within Jarosite." AGU Fall Meeting [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2015. "MEPAG (2015), Mars Science Goals, Objectives, Investigations, and Priorities: 2015 Version." Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) 74 p. [Full Text] [Report]

2014. "Decarboxylation of Carbon Compounds as a Potential Source for CO2 and CO Observed by SAM at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars." 45th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2014. "Low-Latency Science Exploration of Planetary Bodies: How ISS might be used as part of a Low-Latency Analog Campaign for Human Exploration." American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2013. "Report of the Mars 2020 Science Definition Team." Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) 154 [Full Text] [Report]

2013. "Detection of Organic Constituents Including Chloromethylpropene in the Analyses of the Rocknest Drift by Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM)." 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2013. "Fluorocarbon Contamination from the Drill on the Mars Science Laboratory: Potential Science Impact on Detecting Martian Organics by Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM)." 44th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2011. "Using the Abitibi Greenstone Belt to Understand Martian Hydrothermal Systems and the Potential for Biosignature Preservation in High Temperature Aqueous Environments." American Geophysical Union (AGU) meeting [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2011. "Thermochemolysis: A New Sample Preparation Approach for the Detection of Organic Components of Complex Macromolecules in Mars Rocks via Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry in SAM on MSL." 42nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2011. "Upheaval Dome, An Analogue Site for Gale Crater." Analogue Sites for Mars Missions Workshop [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2011. "Environmental Signatures for Habitability: What to Measure and How to Rank the Habitability Potential of Mars." Exploring Mars Habitability, Lisbon, Portugal [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2010. "Environments and Life: What Do We Know? How Can We Learn from Analogs? ." American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting [Proceedings]

2010. "Laboratory Studies of the Liquid Water Content and the Degradation Rates of Organic Biomarkers in the Shallow Martian Subsurface." Astrobiology Science Conference [Proceedings]

2010. "Organic biosignatures and habitat features of near-surface glacial ice in Svalbard." Astrobiology Science Conference 2010 [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2010. "Evolved Gas Analysis and X-ray Diffraction of Carbonate Samples from the 2009 Arctic Mars Analog Svalbard Expedition: Implications for Mineralogical Inferences from the Mars Science Laboratory." 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2009. "Sample acquisition and caching using detachable scoops for mars sample return." 2009 IEEE Aerospace conference [10.1109/aero.2009.4839312] [Proceedings]

2009. "Signatures of Life in Ice (SLIce): An analog study for in-situ detection of biosignatures elsewhere." 14th Annual V.M. Goldschmidt Meeting [Full Text] [Proceedings]

2008. "Isotopic evidence of microbial methane in ultrabasic reducing waters at a continental site of active serpentinization in N. California." Geochimica Act Cosmochimica Acta Supplement 72 A652 [Proceedings]

2008. "MEPAG Next Decade Science Analysis Group (ND-SAG): Science Priorities for Mars Sample Return." Astrobiology 8 489-535 [Full Text] [10.1089/ast.2008.0759] [Report]

2007. "Biogeochemistry and nitrogen cycling in an Arctic, volcanic ecosystem." American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting [Proceedings]

2006. "Biosignatures of arctic endolithic organisms from different rock types." Astrobiology Science Conference [Proceedings]

Talks, Presentations and Posters

Invited

The search for building blocks of life on Mars and Enceladus, symposium presentation at the Molecular Biology Society of Japan in Fukuoka

December 25, 2024

Over the last decade, there have been a multitude of discoveries of organic molecules on Mars and in martian meteorites. The geological contexts of those discoveries reveal organic associations ranging from past habitable surface environments (e.g., deltas, lakes, and springs) to other more extreme environments, such as groundwater brines in the presence of mafic minerals. Together, these records suggest redox and CHNOPS chemistry are defining features (rather than limiting) of past martian environments. Organics were probably widely distributed in the past too (though not always concentrated, preserved, or accessible) and the infall of meteoritic organics indicates that there were at least some molecular building blocks of life present. Big questions remain: Could Mars have originated life in situ? Did Mars sustain an ecology over any length of geological time? Finding molecular building blocks in martian samples would enable progress in addressing these questions. However, given millions to billions of years of diagenesis of the martian rock record, we may never find or access ancient building blocks. Searching for more recently formed and preserved building blocks elsewhere may be more productive. Enceladus, a small ice-covered moon of Saturn with the only known habitable ocean beyond Earth, is a promising destination to enable this pursuit.

A Systems Perspective on Organic Chemical Evolution

February 13, 2023

Keynote Presentation for the Abiotic Baselines in Astrobiology Special Discussion Meeting, Royal Society of Astronomy

Organic Matter Preserved in 3-Billion-Year-Old Lacustrine Mudstones at Gale Crater, Mars

December 14, 2019

Invited Colloquium speaker at Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA

Organic Matter Preserved in 3-Billion-Year-Old Lacustrine Mudstones at Gale Crater, Mars

June 29, 2019

Invited speaker for the Japanese Geoscience Union

Organic Matter Preserved in 3-Billion-Year-Old Lacustrine Mudstones at Gale Crater, Mars

May 8, 2019

invited talk at the Biannual ACS meeting, Orlando

Organic Matter Preserved in 3-Billion-Year-Old Lacustrine Mudstones at Gale Crater, Mars

May 2, 2019

Colloquium speaker for Harvard's EPS department

Organic Matter Preserved in 3-Billion- Year-Old Lacustrine Mudstones at Gale Crater, Mars

August 2018

COSPAR Pasadena, CA

Enabling the Search for Recent Life on Mars and Ocean Worlds

June 2018

Space Exploration Sector Colloquium, Applied Physics Laboratory, Johns Hopkins University

Preservation of biotic/abiotic signatures beyond Earth

April 2018

Presented to the National Academy of Science, Astrobiology Science Strategy for the Search for Life in the Universe Committee

Life Detection

August 2017

Presented to the Planetary Decadal Survey Mid-Term Review Committee, National Academy of Science

In Situ Life Detection

August 2017

National Research Council Meeting of Experts on Organic Contamination

In Situ Detection of Organics on Mars

2016

National Academy of Science, Space Studies Board, Searching for Life Across Time and Space Workshop

The Quest for Organic Carbon on Mars

February 2010

Gordon Research Conference on the Origin of Life, Galveston, Texas

Other

Investigating the Organic Chemical Evolution of Enceladus Recorded by the Macromolecular Organic Matter from Its Plume, poster presemted at the Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon), Providence, RI

June 9, 2024

Here we explore analog macromolecules using a different technique than Cassini’s CDA. The CDA relied on hypervelocity impact (>5 km/s) to fragment and ionize organic components as they entered the instrument, thus providing an instantaneous bulk measurement of the total composition. In this laboratory study, we investigate macromolecular IOM isolated after multiple solvent extractions and standard fulvic acid isolation methods. IOM samples were then subjected to thermally assisted hydrolysis and methylation (THM) using two reagents: 25 wt% Tetramethylammonium hydroxide in methanol (TMAH) and 0.25 M Trimethylsulfonium hydroxide in methanol (TMSH). THM was conducted in a pyrolyzer operated at 260ºC connected to a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer. These experiments serve to shed light on the Cassini observations relative to a range of materials having different, known OCE qualities, compare TMSH and TMAH reagents efficiency on analog IOM, and demonstrate the potential of these methods to measure diverse compounds in IOM and characterize the bulk chemistry to help evaluate the OCE status of Enceladus’ Ocean – a prime target for an astrobiology mission (Davila and Eigenbrode, 2024; NASEM, 2023). Results suggest that both abiotic meteoritic-like IOM (i.e., Type IV kerogen) and aqueously altered organic macromolecules, such as microbial dissolved organic matter of the Pony Lake Fulvic Acid Isolate, may produce the spectral patterning observed in Cassini’s CDA data. Both TMAH and TMSH THM-GCMS have merits in accessing macromolecular components for identification and thus enabling evaluation of the OCE at Enceladus.

The Impact of Ionizing Radiation and Mineralogy on the Preservation of Organics in Martian Sediments

June 2022

Poster and virtual presentation at AbSciCon 2022 meeting. Organic matter in martian sediments has been detected but the source of organics in ancient martian sediments is unknown and could include geochemicals, meteoritic inputs, and geologically reworked biological remnants (1). Regardless of source, various diagenetic processes have altered the deposited organic record making it challenging to decipher the mechanisms responsible for the formation, concentration, and preservation of organic matter (2). Some processes common to Earth may be applicable to Mars (redox reactions, aqueous diagenesis, mineral precipitations, etc.), however, alteration by ionizing radiation at the energy levels and types experienced by exposed bedrock and sediments of Mars near surface (< 1.5-m) remains elusive due to the lack of sufficient experimental and in-situ studies. In this experimental study, we aim to the help close this knowledge gap and provide insight to the organic detections by the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument suite on the Mars Science Laboratory’s (MSL’s) Curiosity rover in Gale crater (3) and by other Mars missions, such as Mars2020’s Perseverance rover (e.g., Fox et al., 401-02, this meeting).

Strategies for Stringent Contamination Control for Life Detection Missions

April 2021

Poster for LPSC21 that reports on technology advances that focus on understanding contamination transfer from pre-launch processing to end of mission, and on developing a new full-spacecraft barrier design that restricts contamination of the spacecraft and instruments by the launch vehicle.

Contamination Control for Ultra-Sensitive Life-Detection Missions

February 2021

Talk at COSPAR21 that reports on technology advances that focus on understanding contamination transfer from pre-launch processing to end of mission, and on developing a new full-spacecraft barrier design that restricts contamination of the spacecraft and instruments by the launch vehicle.

Sample Chemistry Revealed by TMAH-Evolved Gas Analysis: Results from the First In Situ Thermochemolysis Experiment at Gale Crater, Mars

15, 2020

AGU poster focused on Evolved Gas Analysis (EGA) results of the first TMAH thermochemolysis experiment on Mars at the Mary_Anning target in Gale crater using the Sample Analysis at Mars instrument suite.

Martian Organic (Bio?)Geochemistry – Meteoritic Infall, Abiotic Synthesis, or Life

June 26, 2019

talk presentation at the AbSciCon meeting, Seattle, WA

Searching for Life in an Ocean World: The Enceladus Life Signatures and Habitability (ELSAH) mission concept

August 2018

COSPAR Pasadena, CA

Martian subsurface ice science investigation with a special regions drill

June 2018

presented at the 36th MEPAG meeting

Preservation of organic matter on Mars by sulfur

2016

American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting talk

Deltas on Earth and Mars: An environment for deposition and preservation of organic matter and biosignatures

July 2016

Biosignature Preservation and Detection in Mars Analog Environments conference talk

Evidence of refractory organic matter preserved in the mudstones of Yellowknife Bay and the Murray Formations

2015

American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting talk

The Effects of Proton Ionizing Radiation on Organic Matter in Martian Surface Sediments

June 2015

AbSciCon 2015 talk

Decarboxylation of carbon compounds as a potential source for CO2 observed by SAM at Yellowknife Bay, Gale Crater, Mars

April 2014

LPSC poster

Detection of organic constituents including chloromethylpropene in the analyses of the Rocknest drift by Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM)

April 2013

LPSC poster

Teflon contamination from the drill on the MSL Curiosity rover: Potential science impact on detecting martian organics by Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM)

April 2013

LPSC poster

Thermochemolysis - Anew sample preparation approach for the detection of organic components of complex macromolecules in Mars rocks via gas chromatography mass spectrometry in SAM on MSL

April 2011

LPSC poster

Organic biosignatures and habitat features of near-surface glacial ice in Svalbard

2010

AbSciCon 2010 talk

Biosignatures of arctic endolithic organisms from different rock types

2006

AbSciCon 2006 talk

The Preservation of Molecular Biomarkers for Billions of Years

2003

AbSciCon 2003

Late Archean biomarkers in carbonates from the Hamersley Basin, Pilbara Craton, Western Australia

2001

General Meeting of the NASA Astrobiology Institute

Sedimentological and carbon-isotopic records of late Holocene climate in the sediments of Soda Lake, Carrizo Plain, California

1999

Geological Society of America Annual Meeting talk

Selected Public Outreach

Gravity Assist podcast - Mars Takes a Breath, with Jen Eigenbrode

December 2020 - Present

The Curiosity rover has been probing the secrets of Mars since its arrival in 2012. Its discoveries include chemical signatures that could be related to life – or, alternatively, to geological processes. The Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument has found organic molecules, which are fundamental building blocks of life on Earth, but can also be produced in nonbiological ways. Scientists have also observe sudden rises and falls in methane, a gas also associated with life, but which can be geological in nature, too. But with such a thin atmosphere, cold temperatures and scathing radiation from the Sun, the surface of Mars would be hostile to life. Where could life be hiding, if it were on Mars? Jen Eigenbrode, astrobiologist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, discusses. Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzDFkmqbZBA&feature=youtu.be

Library of Congress Lecture: "A Mud Matter: The Recent Discovery of Organic Matter Preserved in 3-billion-year-old Mudstones on Mars"

October 2019 - October 2019

A public lecture at the Pickford Theather, Library of Congress, Washington, DC on the recent discovery of "tough" organic molecules in an ancient Martian lakebed.

Orbital Path Podcast - Building 29

2018 - 2018

"...building 29, where NASA builds and tests spacecraft in some of the most extreme conditions found anywhere on earth."

Orbital Path podcast - Mars Goes Organic

July 2018 - July 2018

"Dr. Michelle Thaller sits down with Eigenbrode to understand what the discovery really says about the possibility of life on Mars."

Ancient Organics Discovered on Mars

July 2018 - 2018

New Mars Science Results

July 2018 - 2018

Streamed live on Jun 7, 2018

NPR's Science Friday: Curiosity Digs Up Clues To The Early Martian Environment

July 2018 - 2018

NPR's Joe's Big Idea: NASA's Curiosity Rover Finds Chemical Building Blocks For Life On Mars

July 2018 - 2018

Interview with Joe Palca broadccasted on Morning Edition June 8, 2018

Is there time to live on Mars?

November 2015 - 2015

Chicago Ideas Week, Edison Talks

Curiosity in Action

September 2016 - 2016

Chicago Ideas Week, Genius: A Peek Inside the World’s Most Brilliant Minds. This Talk will be livestreamed by ABC 7 Chicago.

NASA 360 Talk - Life on Mars

July 2015 - 2015

Jennifer Eigenbrode Asks If We Are Alone in the Universe

March 2018 - Present

NASA people

Mars System Reconnaissance Panel

June 2018 - 2018

Humans to Mars Summit 2018

How Humans Will Accelerate Life Detection on Mars (Part 2)

May 2018 - 2018

Human Landing Sites Study (HLS2) for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars -  Lectures and Briefings

How Humans Will Accelerate Life Detection on Mars and What We Need to Know Before They Get There

2017 - 2017

Human Landing Sites Study (HLS2) for Human Missions to the Surface of Mars -  Lectures and Briefings

Constraining the search for life on Mars

October 2016 - 2016

Mars Society

Are we alone?

2016 - 2016

International Society of Barristers

Unraveling the story of organic matter on Mars

December 2016 - 2016

Geological Society of Washington

The Search for Life

October 2016 - 2016

NASA scientists and stakeholders gathered at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum for a presentation on the agency’s search for life beyond Earth by some of NASA’s leading scientists, including the late former astronaut, Dr. Piers Sellers. 

Red Planet Rover Documentary

2014 - Present

Shown on Discovery Channel in 2014

National Geographic's Mars Mega Rover

February 2013 - 2013

NASA EDGE Biogeochemistry with Curiosity

October 2012 - 2012

NASA Goddard's Innovation

2012 - 2012

NASA | What is SAM?

September 2012 - Present

Contact Us

Jocelyn Lynch
Project Support Specialist
301-286-6066
jocelyn.m.lynch@nasa.gov
Ellie Jeffries
Project Support Specialist
301-286-6066
ellie.jeffries@nasa.gov

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General inquiries about the scientific programs at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center may be directed to the Center Office of Communications at 1.301.286.8955.