Sciences and Exploration Directorate

Xiang (Shawn) Li

(RESEARCH AST, PLANETARY STUDIES)

 xiang.li@nasa.gov

 301.614.6016

Org Code: 699

NASA/GSFC
Mail Code: 699
Greenbelt, MD 20771

Employer: NASA

Brief Bio


Xiang Li received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the Johns Hopkins University in 2009. He is a mass spectrometry scientist at 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

Solar System: Planetary surfaces

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

Earth Science: Applications

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


Analog samples study

Solar System: Mars

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


Data analysis and machine learning

Solar System: Analysis

Using mass spectrometry data for astrobiology studies.


Current Projects


Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA)

Mars

Instrument onboard ExoMars 2022 Rover mission.


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

Technology & Missions

ICEE-2 project for future Europa lander mission.


Studies of Planetary Materials and their Analogs

Planetary surfaces

FLaRe project focusing on analog samples study.


Laboratory for Agnostic Biosignatures (LAB)

Astrobiology

Life detection.


RAman-Mass Spectrometer for planetary exploration (RAMS)

Technology & Missions

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


Positions/Employment


Research Scientist

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Code 699

December 2021 - Present


Associate Research Scientist

UMBC and GSFC - GSFC Code 699

December 2018 - December 2021


Assistant Research Scientist

UMBC & GSFC - GSFC Code 699

June 2014 - December 2018


Research Associate

UMBC & GSFC - GSFC Code 699

October 2011 - June 2014



Other Professional Information


Selected Publications


Refereed

Brinckerhoff, W. B., P. A. Willis, A. J. Ricco, et al. D. A. Kaplan, R. M. Danell, A. Grubisic, M. F. Mora, J. S. Creamer, A. Noell, J. C. Stern, C. Czopa, C. Freissinet, F. Kehl, K. Zamuruyev, C. T. Castle, J. Spring, T. Drevinskas, M. Badescu, M. S. Ferreira Santos, E. A. Jaramillo, F. Van Amerom, X. Li, M. E. Castillo, J. L. Eigenbrode, B. P. Theiling, R. C. Quinn, F. Stalport, A. Buch, and K. A. Zacny. 2022. Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) for a Future Europa Lander Mission Frontiers in Space Technologies 2 760927 [10.3389/frspt.2021.760927]

Grubisic, A., M. G. Trainer, X. Li, et al. W. B. Brinckerhoff, F. H. van Amerom, R. M. Danell, J. T. Costa, M. Castillo, D. Kaplan, and K. Zacny. 2021. Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry at Saturn’s moon Titan International Journal of Mass Spectrometry 470 116707 [10.1016/j.ijms.2021.116707]

Carrier, B., D. Beaty, M. Meyer, et al. J. Blank, L. Chou, S. DasSarma, D. Des Marais, J. Eigenbrode, N. Grefenstette, N. Lanza, A. Schuerger, P. Schwendner, H. Smith, C. Stoker, J. Tarnas, K. Webster, C. Bakermans, B. Baxter, M. Bell, S. Benner, H. Bolivar Torres, P. Boston, R. Bruner, B. Clark, P. DasSarma, A. Engelhart, Z. Gallegos, Z. Garvin, P. Gasda, J. Green, R. Harris, M. Hoffman, T. Kieft, A. Koeppel, P. Lee, X. Li, K. Lynch, R. Mackelprang, P. Mahaffy, L. Matthies, M. Nellessen, H. Newsom, D. Northup, B. O'Connor, S. Perl, R. Quinn, L. Rowe, B. Sauterey, M. Schneegurt, D. Schulze-Makuch, L. Scuderi, M. Spilde, V. Stamenković, J. Torres Celis, D. Viola, B. Wade, C. Walker, R. Wiens, A. Williams, J. Williams, and J. Xu. 2020. Mars Extant Life: What's Next? Conference Report Astrobiology 20 (6): ast.2020.2237 [10.1089/ast.2020.2237]

Freissinet, C., M. Millan, D. P. Glavin, et al. X. Li, A. Grubisic, J. L. Eigenbrode, J. C. Stern, J. P. Dworkin, A. Buch, C. Szopa, M. Guzman, M. Carts, S. A. Getty, and W. B. Brinckerhoff. 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 [10.1016/j.pss.2019.05.009]

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]

Goesmann, F., W. B. Brinckerhoff, F. Raulin, et al. W. Goetz, R. M. Danell, S. A. Getty, S. Siljeström, H. Mißbach, H. Steininger, R. D. Arevalo, A. Buch, C. Freissinet, A. Grubisic, U. J. Meierhenrich, V. T. Pinnick, F. Stalport, C. Szopa, J. L. Vago, R. Lindner, M. D. Schulte, J. R. Brucato, D. P. Glavin, N. Grand, X. Li, F. H. van Amerom, and the MOMA Science Team. 2017. The Mars Organic Molecule Analyzer (MOMA) Instrument: Characterization of Organic Material in Martian Sediments Astrobiology 17 (6-7): 655-685 [10.1089/ast.2016.1551]

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]

Non-Refereed

Getty, S. A., L. F. Lim, A. Grubisic, et al. A. E. Southard, J. Ferrance, M. A. Balvin, X. Li, T. Cornish, J. Elsila, L. A. Hess, C. A. Kotecki, J. G. Hagopian, and W. B. Brinckerhoff. 2019. Future planetary instrument capabilities made possible by micro- and nanotechnology Micro- and Nanotechnology Sensors, Systems, and Applications XI [10.1117/12.2519455]