Svetlana is currently an Assistant Research Scientist through CRESST at the University of Maryland, College Park. She has postdoctoral research experience at NASA GSFC and Carnegie Institute for Science, and she has degrees in geological sciences (Arizona State University, PhD), space studies (University of North Dakota, MS), mass communications with an emphasis in science (University of Florida, MA), and physics (University of North Florida, BS).
Svetlana's research interest involves life detection techniques and biosignature protocols on planetary surfaces, with emphasis on Mars. This includes multiwavelength Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy instrument development for astrobiology missions, studies of false spectral biosignatures, spectral signatures of biogenic vs. abiogenic macromolecular carbon, and protocols to aid the Mars Sample Return (MSR) campaign. She has been a collaborator on the MSL Curiosity Mars mission, the Mars 2020 Mars mission, and is currently a science team member on ESA's ExoMars rover. In addition, she develops tools and strategies to infuse life detection science priorities into the mission planning process through her work with NASA's Center for Life Detection (CLD).
She also believes in the importance of using the narrative of "Are we Alone" to improve STEM education and serve societal needs. To this end, Svetlana serves as a bridge between the NASA Astrobiology Program and the NASA-funded educational and public outreach activities of NASA's Science Activation program. This role involves connecting NASA Astrobiology learning materials and subject matter experts to educators and consulting on their usage and accuracy as well as maintaining the repository of NASA Astrobiology Program education resources. She also supports Astrobiology Program's early career initiatives in a variety of ways, including as the Implementation Lead of the NASA Astrobiology Science Communication Guild initiative.