Biography:
Katie Bryson is currently a Post-Doctoral Research Scientist with BAERI working in the NASA Ames Astrophysics and Astrochemistry Laboratory, investigating the ultraviolet and visual spectroscopic properties of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).
Katie began persuing her career in space and planetary science back in high school, when she interned at NASA Ames Research Center. She later obtained her B.S. in Physics and Astronomy at Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, AZ) in 2003. During this time she interned at the US Geological Survey working on Mars Odyssey THEMIS images. Her graduate studies continued her work on Mars, doing image analysis and laboratory simulations to understand the stability of water and carbon dioxide ice on Mars while working for Prof. Derek W.G. Sears at the Arkansas Center for Space and Planetary Sciences (University of Arkansas-Fayetteville). By understanding the stability of these ices, it is possible to try to explain geological features, climactic occurances, and possible environments for life. To relate her research to future missions she participated in the NASA Planetary Science Summer School at JPL in 2006. She received her Ph.D. in 2008 with the dissertation title "Experimental Study of the Stability of Volatiles on Mars." To further her interest in missions, Katie decided to work in the Ames Astrophysics and Astrochemistry Laboratory with Farid Salma studying UV/VIS spectral properities of PAHs in connection with low earth orbit missions examining the effects of space environment.
Katie's major publications can be found on the Astrochemistry Laboratory's Publications Pages.
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