Candidate Statement
The exploration of space, particularly the planets, is one of the hallmarks of our civilization. Indeed, future historians may regard it as the positive hallmark. Planetary exploration showcases our understanding and appreciation of the cosmos, but just as importantly, provides a sense of awe and wonder like no other. However, we live in unsettled times. This is exquisitely so for our profession as planetary scientists. The events and politics of the current century clearly indicate the need for the champions of science to provide a visible, vigorous, and effective counterpoint to agents that threaten the enlightenment and the prosperity of our civilization as expressed through space exploration. Planetary mission funding in the U.S. is being slashed. The current U.S. mission manifest is such that much of the solar system could go radio-dark within a decade. Research and Analysis is underfunded, resulting in scientists disproportionally investing time writing numerous proposals at the expense of conducting research. The need for most researchers, especially those on soft money, to write or participate in multitudinous proposals weakens the review process by the very unavailability of these researchers to serve on review panels; this situation invites a downward spiral of unproductivity. Mission Operations and Data Analysis similarly suffer from a lack of resources.
The DPS plays a central role in representing planetary science before the public, the government (Congress, NASA, OMB) and the rest of the scientific community. I intend to vigorously pursue these avenues in representing the DPS community.
I offer my time and energy to promote our vital interest to our friends, proponents, and sponsors, while working to expand these constituencies. Central among issues is the essentiality of continuity in our world-class annual meetings, and that our meetings maintain a financial benefit to the DPS. If elected, I will develop initiatives to establish an orderly secession of missions that are balanced in targets, objectives, and costs. I will continue the DPS’s very successful relationship with our international colleagues and respective missions. I will seek common ground with other US research agencies such as NOAA and NRC as well as our related professional societies such as the AGU and GSA. I will also work toward greater inclusion of such disciplines as astrobiology into the DPS community, as unity within our field is now more vital than ever, and inclusivity promotes our scientific and programmatic goals.
I will concentrate my efforts toward increasing R&A and MO&DA funding, and to increase the efficiency of proposal evaluation and administration. A component of this will be to promote proposal writing training as part of our annual meetings. Also I will investigate how the DPS might create endowments to support a range of activities like research and public outreach. An overarching objective will be to be proactive in our communication with our government sponsors and the general public. This should be accomplished, whenever possible, in conjunction with likeminded partners, ranging from the AAAS and AGU to the Planetary Society and the National Geographic Society.
My research has focused on a range of topics relating to the geologic evolution of planetary landscapes and crustal materials. I have published a number of papers on the geomorphology, stratigraphy, and sedimentology of terrestrial planets and outer planet satellites, as well as explored the roles of impact cratering, volcanology, and tectonism on planetary bodies. I have conducted extensive laboratory simulations of Martian geological processes. I have researched the implications of impact craters on Europa for a sub-surface ocean. I have investigated Martian layered fluvial delta deposits, possible Martian ice-covered lakes in large basins such as Hellas, large alluvial fans on the Martian highlands, the role of SO2 in maintaining the early Martian climate, evidence of two episodes of Martian fluvial climate optima, the sublimation-driven erosion of the surfaces of Callisto and Hyperion, and the exogenic-processes-dominated nature of Titan’s landforms and evidence for climate change there. My record demonstrates a breath of interests and experiences, which I believe, if elected, provides the background to advocate balanced and vigorous goals for the DPS community.
I believe my experience provides me with the capacity to accomplish these objectives. I have been an active member of DPS since 1981. I was Science Organizing Committee (SOC) Chair for the 2003 DPS Meeting and (SOC) Chair for the NASA Lunar Science Forum (2009 and 2011). I am a Faculty Guest Lecturer in the Earth & Planetary Sciences Department of the University of California, Santa Cruz. I am the New Horizons Mission Imaging Node Leader; am a Mars Exploration Rover (MER) Science Team member; and was a Galileo Solid State Imaging Team Associate. I currently serve on the 2011-2012 Europa Science Definition Team as Geology Lead. I served on the JEO/ESJM Europa SDT’s leadership group. I am a Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, HiRISE Science Team collaborator. Further afield, I was a Tank Platoon Leader and Battalion Staff Officer in the United States Army.
