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Xiang (Shawn) Li

Photo of XIANG (SHAWN) LI

Xiang (Shawn) Li

  • RESEARCH SCIENTIST
  • 301.614.6016
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 699
  • Greenbelt , MD 20771
  • Employer: UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE CO

    • Brief Bio

    Xiang Li received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University in 2009. He is an associate research scientist with a joint appointment at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. His research focuses on the detection of trace element and astrobiologically relevant organic molecules in planetary systems, such as Mars, Europa and Titan. He is especially interested in the instrument development of time-of-flight and ion trap mass spectrometers with various ionization and ion gating techniques.


    Research Interests

    Development of mass spectrometers for space missions

    Include time-of-flight mass spectrometry, ion trap mass spectrometry, laser ablation/desorption mass spectrometry, high resolution mass spectrometry, tandem mass spectrometry, and miniaturization of mass spectrometers.

    Laser and other Ionization techniques

    Include ns and fs laser developments, ion optics and gating techniques, and ESI techniques.

    Analog samples study

    Mars and ocean world analog samples study by using mass spectrometry.

    Data analysis and machine learning

    Using mass spectrometry data for astrobiology studies.


    Current Projects

    Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA)

    Instrument onboard ExoMars 2022 Rover mission.

    Europa analog samples testing for the Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI)

    ICEE-2 project for future Europa lander mission.

    Studies of Planetary Materials and their Analogs

    FLaRe project focusing on analog samples study.

    Extractor for Chemical Analysis of Lipid Biomarkers in Regolith (ExCALiBR)

    Lipid extraction and analysis for Lunar samples.

    Laboratory for Agnostic Biosignatures (LAB)

    Life detection.

    RAman-Mass Spectrometer for planetary exploration (RAMS)

    PICASSO project focusing on novel instrument package development combining Raman and LDMS.


    Positions/Employment

    12/2018 - Present

    Associate Research Scientist

    UMBC and GSFC, GSFC Code 699
    6/2014 - 12/2018

    Assistant Research Scientist

    UMBC & GSFC, GSFC Code 699
    10/2011 - 6/2014

    Research Associate

    UMBC & GSFC, GSFC Code 699



    Other Professional Information

    Full Publication list: https://publons.com/researcher/2723654/xiang-li/publications/


    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Uckert, K., A. Grubisic, X. Li, et al. W. Brinckerhoff, T. Cornish, B. Farcy, and S. Getty. 2018. "IR resonance-enhanced organic detection with two-step laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry." Icarus, 299: 15-21 [10.1016/j.icarus.2017.07.006]

    Uckert, K., N. J. Chanover, S. Getty, et al. D. G. Voelz, W. B. Brinckerhoff, N. McMillan, X. Xiao, P. J. Boston, X. Li, A. McAdam, D. A. Glenar, and A. Chavez. 2017. "The Characterization of Biosignatures in Caves Using an Instrument Suite." Astrobiology, 17 (12): 1203-1218 [10.1089/ast.2016.1568]

    Li, X., R. M. Danell, V. T. Pinnick, et al. A. Grubisic, F. van Amerom, R. D. Arevalo, S. A. Getty, W. B. Brinckerhoff, A. E. Southard, Z. D. Gonnsen, and T. Adachi. 2017. "Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) laser desorption/ionization source design and performance characterization." International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 422: 177 - 187 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2017.03.010]

    Gautier, T., J. A. Sebree, X. Li, et al. V. T. Pinnick, A. Grubisic, M. J. Loeffler, S. A. Getty, M. G. Trainer, and W. B. Brinckerhoff. 2017. "Influence of trace aromatics on the chemical growth mechanisms of Titan aerosol analogues." Planetary and Space Science, 140: 27-34 [10.1016/j.pss.2017.03.012]

    Getty, S. A., J. E. Elsila, M. Balvin, et al. W. B. Brinckerhoff, T. Cornish, X. Li, J. Ferrance, A. Grubisic, and A. Southard. 2017. "Molecular analyzer for Complex Refractory Organic-rich Surfaces (MACROS)." 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference, [10.1109/aero.2017.7943706]

    Goetz, W., W. B. Brinckerhoff, R. Arevalo, et al. C. Freissinet, S. Getty, D. P. Glavin, S. Siljeström, A. Buch, F. Stalport, A. Grubisic, X. Li, V. Pinnick, R. Danell, F. H. van Amerom, F. Goesmann, H. Steininger, N. Grand, F. Raulin, C. Szopa, U. Meierhenrich, and J. R. Brucato. 2016. "MOMA: the challenge to search for organics and biosignatures on Mars." International Journal of Astrobiology, 15 (03): 239-250 [10.1017/s1473550416000227]

    Li, X., T. Cornish, S. Ecelberger, S. A. Getty, and W. B. Brinckerhoff. 2016. "Tandem mass spectrometry on a miniaturized laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometer." 2016 IEEE Aerospace Conference, [10.1109/aero.2016.7500615]

    Giri, C., C. P. McKay, F. Goesmann, et al. N. Schäfer, X. Li, H. Steininger, W. B. Brinckerhoff, T. Gautier, J. Reitner, and U. J. Meierhenrich. 2015. "Carbonization in Titan Tholins: implication for low albedo on surfaces of Centaurs and trans-Neptunian objects." International Journal of Astrobiology, 15 (03): 231-238 [10.1017/s1473550415000439]

    Xiang Li, K. Uckert, S. Getty, et al. A. Grubisic, W. Brinckerhoff, T. Cornish, S. Ecelberger, and N. Chanover. 2015. "Analysis of aqueous environments by laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry." 2015 IEEE Aerospace Conference, [10.1109/aero.2015.7119087]

    Li, X., R. M. Danell, W. B. Brinckerhoff, et al. V. T. Pinnick, F. van Amerom, R. D. Arevalo, S. A. Getty, P. R. Mahaffy, H. Steininger, and F. Goesmann. 2015. "Detection of Trace Organics in Mars Analog Samples Containing Perchlorate by Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry." Astrobiology, 15 (2): 104-110 [10.1089/ast.2014.1203]

    Arevalo Jr., R., W. B. Brinckerhoff, F. Van Amerom, et al. R. M. Danell, V. T. Pinnick, X. Li, S. A. Getty, L. M. Hovmand, A. Grubisic, P. R. Mahaffy, F. Goesmann, and H. Steininger. 2015. "Design and Demonstration of the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) on the ExoMars 2018 Rover." IEEE Aerospace,

    Getty, S. A., W. B. Brinckerhoff, X. Li, et al. J. E. Elsila, T. Cornish, S. Ecelberger, Q. Wu, and R. Zare. 2014. "A Compact Tandem Two-Step Laser Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer for In Situ Analysis of Non-Volatile Organics on Planetary Surfaces." IEEE, 978-1-4799-1622-1/14:

    Uckert, K., N. J. Chanover, S. Getty, et al. W. B. Brinckerhoff, X. Li, M. Floyd, D. G. Voelz, X. Xiao, R. Tawalbehy, N. McMillan, A. Chavez, P. J. Boston, D. A. Glenar, S. Ecelberger, and T. Cornish. 2014. "A comparative study of in situ biosignature detection spectroscopy techniques on planetary surfaces." 2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference, [10.1109/aero.2014.6836262]

    Chanover, N., D. Voelz, D. Glenar, et al. Xifeng Xiao, R. Tawalbeh, K. Uckert, P. Boston, S. Getty, W. Brinckerhoff, P. Mahaffy, and Xiang Li. 2013. "Results from an integrated AOTF-LDTOF spectrometer suite for planetary surfaces." 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference, [10.1109/aero.2013.6497177]

    Brinckerhoff, W. B., V. T. Pinnick, F. H. van Amerom, et al. R. M. Danell, R. Arevalo Jr., M. S. Atanassova, X. Li, P. R. Mahaffy, R. J. Cotter, F. Goesmann, and H. Steininger. 2013. "Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) Mass Spectrometer for ExoMars 2018 and Beyond." IEEE Aerospace,

    Li, X., W. Brinckerhoff, G. Managadze, et al. D. Pugel, C. Corrigan, and J. Doty. 2012. "Laser ablation mass spectrometer (LAMS) as a standoff analyzer in space missions for airless bodies." International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 323-324: 63-67 [10.1016/j.ijms.2012.06.020]

    Brief Bio

    Xiang Li received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University in 2009. He is an associate research scientist with a joint appointment at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. His research focuses on the detection of trace element and astrobiologically relevant organic molecules in planetary systems, such as Mars, Europa and Titan. He is especially interested in the instrument development of time-of-flight and ion trap mass spectrometers with various ionization and ion gating techniques.


    Selected Publications

    Refereed

    Uckert, K., A. Grubisic, X. Li, et al. W. Brinckerhoff, T. Cornish, B. Farcy, and S. Getty. 2018. "IR resonance-enhanced organic detection with two-step laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometry." Icarus 299 15-21 [10.1016/j.icarus.2017.07.006]

    Uckert, K., N. J. Chanover, S. Getty, et al. D. G. Voelz, W. B. Brinckerhoff, N. McMillan, X. Xiao, P. J. Boston, X. Li, A. McAdam, D. A. Glenar, and A. Chavez. 2017. "The Characterization of Biosignatures in Caves Using an Instrument Suite." Astrobiology 17 (12): 1203-1218 [10.1089/ast.2016.1568]

    Li, X., R. M. Danell, V. T. Pinnick, et al. A. Grubisic, F. van Amerom, R. D. Arevalo, S. A. Getty, W. B. Brinckerhoff, A. E. Southard, Z. D. Gonnsen, and T. Adachi. 2017. "Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) laser desorption/ionization source design and performance characterization." International Journal of Mass Spectrometry 422 177 - 187 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijms.2017.03.010]

    Gautier, T., J. A. Sebree, X. Li, et al. V. T. Pinnick, A. Grubisic, M. J. Loeffler, S. A. Getty, M. G. Trainer, and W. B. Brinckerhoff. 2017. "Influence of trace aromatics on the chemical growth mechanisms of Titan aerosol analogues." Planetary and Space Science 140 27-34 [10.1016/j.pss.2017.03.012]

    Getty, S. A., J. E. Elsila, M. Balvin, et al. W. B. Brinckerhoff, T. Cornish, X. Li, J. Ferrance, A. Grubisic, and A. Southard. 2017. "Molecular analyzer for Complex Refractory Organic-rich Surfaces (MACROS)." 2017 IEEE Aerospace Conference [10.1109/aero.2017.7943706]

    Goetz, W., W. B. Brinckerhoff, R. Arevalo, et al. C. Freissinet, S. Getty, D. P. Glavin, S. Siljeström, A. Buch, F. Stalport, A. Grubisic, X. Li, V. Pinnick, R. Danell, F. H. van Amerom, F. Goesmann, H. Steininger, N. Grand, F. Raulin, C. Szopa, U. Meierhenrich, and J. R. Brucato. 2016. "MOMA: the challenge to search for organics and biosignatures on Mars." International Journal of Astrobiology 15 (03): 239-250 [10.1017/s1473550416000227]

    Li, X., T. Cornish, S. Ecelberger, S. A. Getty, and W. B. Brinckerhoff. 2016. "Tandem mass spectrometry on a miniaturized laser desorption time-of-flight mass spectrometer." 2016 IEEE Aerospace Conference [10.1109/aero.2016.7500615]

    Giri, C., C. P. McKay, F. Goesmann, et al. N. Schäfer, X. Li, H. Steininger, W. B. Brinckerhoff, T. Gautier, J. Reitner, and U. J. Meierhenrich. 2015. "Carbonization in Titan Tholins: implication for low albedo on surfaces of Centaurs and trans-Neptunian objects." International Journal of Astrobiology 15 (03): 231-238 [10.1017/s1473550415000439]

    Xiang Li, K. Uckert, S. Getty, et al. A. Grubisic, W. Brinckerhoff, T. Cornish, S. Ecelberger, and N. Chanover. 2015. "Analysis of aqueous environments by laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry." 2015 IEEE Aerospace Conference [10.1109/aero.2015.7119087]

    Li, X., R. M. Danell, W. B. Brinckerhoff, et al. V. T. Pinnick, F. van Amerom, R. D. Arevalo, S. A. Getty, P. R. Mahaffy, H. Steininger, and F. Goesmann. 2015. "Detection of Trace Organics in Mars Analog Samples Containing Perchlorate by Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry." Astrobiology 15 (2): 104-110 [10.1089/ast.2014.1203]

    Arevalo Jr., R., W. B. Brinckerhoff, F. Van Amerom, et al. R. M. Danell, V. T. Pinnick, X. Li, S. A. Getty, L. M. Hovmand, A. Grubisic, P. R. Mahaffy, F. Goesmann, and H. Steininger. 2015. "Design and Demonstration of the Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) on the ExoMars 2018 Rover." IEEE Aerospace

    Getty, S. A., W. B. Brinckerhoff, X. Li, et al. J. E. Elsila, T. Cornish, S. Ecelberger, Q. Wu, and R. Zare. 2014. "A Compact Tandem Two-Step Laser Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer for In Situ Analysis of Non-Volatile Organics on Planetary Surfaces." IEEE 978-1-4799-1622-1/14

    Uckert, K., N. J. Chanover, S. Getty, et al. W. B. Brinckerhoff, X. Li, M. Floyd, D. G. Voelz, X. Xiao, R. Tawalbehy, N. McMillan, A. Chavez, P. J. Boston, D. A. Glenar, S. Ecelberger, and T. Cornish. 2014. "A comparative study of in situ biosignature detection spectroscopy techniques on planetary surfaces." 2014 IEEE Aerospace Conference [10.1109/aero.2014.6836262]

    Chanover, N., D. Voelz, D. Glenar, et al. Xifeng Xiao, R. Tawalbeh, K. Uckert, P. Boston, S. Getty, W. Brinckerhoff, P. Mahaffy, and Xiang Li. 2013. "Results from an integrated AOTF-LDTOF spectrometer suite for planetary surfaces." 2013 IEEE Aerospace Conference [10.1109/aero.2013.6497177]

    Brinckerhoff, W. B., V. T. Pinnick, F. H. van Amerom, et al. R. M. Danell, R. Arevalo Jr., M. S. Atanassova, X. Li, P. R. Mahaffy, R. J. Cotter, F. Goesmann, and H. Steininger. 2013. "Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) Mass Spectrometer for ExoMars 2018 and Beyond." IEEE Aerospace

    Li, X., W. Brinckerhoff, G. Managadze, et al. D. Pugel, C. Corrigan, and J. Doty. 2012. "Laser ablation mass spectrometer (LAMS) as a standoff analyzer in space missions for airless bodies." International Journal of Mass Spectrometry 323-324 63-67 [10.1016/j.ijms.2012.06.020]

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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    • Last Updated: 09/21/2021