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Planetary Geology, Geophysics & Geochemistry Lab

Aleks Gawronska

(POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH)

Aleks Gawronska's Contact Card & Information.
Email: aleks.gawronska@nasa.gov
Org Code: 698
Address:
NASA/GSFC
 Mail Code 698
 Greenbelt, MD 20771
Employer: CATHOLIC UNIV OF AMERICA

Brief Bio

I am an igneous petrologist interested in global impacts of volcano-magmatic processes, from the emplacement of secondary basaltic crusts to the generation of transient volcanic atmospheres. I am focused on holistically understanding this on the Moon primarily through microanalytical investigations of returned samples.


Because my work uses returned samples, I am also invested in maximizing the future success of exploration and sample return activities. To this end, I investigate future landing sites using remote observations, and joined the science teams of NASA's PITMS and MSolo science instruments which aim to evaluate lunar volatiles in-situ.


Following these experiences, I was selected as an Artemis Participating Scientist to support the First Artemis Geology Team in preparing for the first landed Artemis mission, set for 2028.

Positions/Employment

Postdoctoral Researcher

Catholic University of America and NASA GSFC - MD

June 2023 - Present

Working with PITMS and MSolo instrument science teams to evaluate the lunar surface volatile budget; supported pre-flight testing, mission operations, and post-mission reporting.

CRESST II Post-baccalaureate Program Consultant

SURA - NASA Goddard

May 2025 - Present

In addition to my postdoc work, I assist the CRESST II cooperative agreement team in managing the CRESST II post-baccalaureate program.

Graduate Research Assistant

Miami University - OH

August 2022 - May 2023

I investigated basaltic samples returned from Apollo 11, 12, 15, and 17 through microanalytical techniques (microscopy, XCT, EPMA, LA-ICP-MS) to evaluate magmatic differentiation and lava emplacement processes on the Moon. (Funded through a Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology solicitation (award number 80NSSC22K1371)). 

Graduate Teaching Assistant

Miami University - OH

August 2018 - August 2022

I investigated basaltic samples returned from Apollo 11, 12, 15, and 17 through microanalytical techniques (microscopy, XCT, EPMA, LA-ICP-MS) to evaluate magmatic differentiation and lava emplacement processes on the Moon, while teaching Introductory Geology, and Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology to undergraduate students.

Exploration Science Intern

Lunar and Planetary Institute - TX

May 2019 - August 2019

I worked with a cohort of graduate students to evaluate geologic targets of interest around the lunar south polar Shackleton crater.

Education

PhD, Geology. 2023.

  • Miami University (advised by Dr. Claire McLeod)

BS, Environmental Science. 2018.

  • Earth Science concentration, minor in Sustainability.
  • University of Notre Dame (advised by Dr. Clive Neal)

Professional Service

2026 - Present: Chair, NextGen Lunar Organizing Committee (https://www.nextgenlunar.space)


2024 - Present: Lead, NASA-PEER Post-Baccalaureate constellation mentorship program (https://nasa-peer.org/)

Awards

NASA Agency Honor - Group Achievement Award for PITMS Science Team (2025)

NASA GSFC Sciences and Exploration Directorate Special Act Award (2024)

NASA GSFC Sciences and Exploration Directorate Early Career Scientist Spotlight (2024)

NAGT Outstanding TA award (2022)

AGU Fall Meeting registration reimbursement by the Planetary Sciences section (2021)

Lunar and Planetary Institute Career Development Award (2021)

Dwornik Awards Honorable Mention, 49th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2018)

Grants

A Model for Vesicle Development using Field and Hand Sample Contexts - NASA Goddard Instrument Field Team (GIFT) Internal Scientist Funding Model - Awarded: 2026-02-10


Dates:  - 

Tracking Ejecta in the Artemis Region Through an Integrated Mapping and Modeling Campaign - NASA Goddard Planetary Geodesy Internal Scientist Funding Model - Awarded: 2025-12-11


Dates:  - 

Other Professional Information

Personal website with CV: Aleks Gawronska (ajvgawronska.wixsite.com)

Special Experience

Artemis Participating Scientist

First Artemis Geology Team

03/2026 - Present

PI: Brett Denevi, JHU APL


Science Team Member

Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo)

11/2023 – Present

PI: Janine Captain & Jacqueline Quinn, NASA Kennedy Space Center

 

Science Team Member

Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS)

06/2023 – 07/2024  

PI: Barbara Cohen, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

Publications

Refereed

2026. "Evidence for open magmatic system processes recorded in crystal cargoes of lunar basalts.", Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 562 (1): gslspecpub2025-14 [10.1144/gslspecpub2025-14] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "Insights into the Petrogenesis of Lunar Basaltic Breccia Dominion Range (DOM) 18543.", Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 562 (1): [10.1144/gslspecpub2025-65] [Journal Article/Letter]

2026. "Model for Determining the Origin of Lunar Volatiles Based on Their Composition: Application to NASA’s VIPER and Other Landed Missions.", The Planetary Science Journal, 7 (1): 20 [10.3847/psj/ae2fc6] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "DSMC analysis of Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission-1: MON-25 leak and water outgassing.", Acta Astronautica, 237 196-207 [10.1016/j.actaastro.2025.08.021] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "VIPER’s Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo).", The Planetary Science Journal, 6 (11): 277 [10.3847/psj/ae0a4e] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "Characteristics of the Shackleton-de Gerlache ridge and implications for lunar south polar geology and future sampling activities.", Icarus, 441 116719 [10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116719] [Journal Article/Letter]

2025. "The Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS): Results from a CLPS-delivered Mass Spectrometer.", The Planetary Science Journal, 6 (1): 14 [10.3847/psj/ad9927] [Journal Article/Letter]

2023. "Mantle.", Encyclopedia of Lunar Science, 1-8 [10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6_213-1] [Article in Book]

2023. "Moon, Overall Geology.", Encyclopedia of Lunar Science, 1-10 [10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6_145-1] [Article in Book]

2023. "Basalt.", Encyclopedia of Lunar Science, 1-11 [10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6_135-1] [Article in Book]

2022. "The Distribution and Accessibility of Geologic Targets near the Lunar South Pole and Candidate Artemis Landing Sites.", The Planetary Science Journal, 3 (12): 275 [10.3847/psj/aca590] [Journal Article/Letter]

2022. "New interpretations of lunar mare basalt flow emplacement from XCT analysis of Apollo samples.", Icarus, 388 115216 [10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115216] [Journal Article/Letter]

2021. "Numerical modeling of the formation of Shackleton crater at the lunar south pole.", Icarus, 354 113992 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.113992] [Journal Article/Letter]

2020. "Geologic context and potential EVA targets at the lunar south pole.", Advances in Space Research, 66 (6): 1247-1264 [10.1016/j.asr.2020.05.035] [Journal Article/Letter]

Contact Us

For general inquiries about the Planetary Geology, Geophysics & Geochemistry Lab.

Katrice Tanner

Project Support Specialist

301-614-6467 katrice.n.tanner@nasa.gov