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About

Dr. Kristine Davis is a leading planetary scientist and instrument scientist whose work is central to NASA’s Mars 2020 mission. Her primary research focuses on astrobiology, planetary geology, and the development of advanced spectroscopic instruments for in-situ planetary exploration. Dr. Davis is best known for her pivotal role in the SHERLOC (Scanning Habitable Environments with Raman and Luminescence for Organics and Chemicals) investigation, a sophisticated instrument on the Perseverance rover designed to detect organic compounds and minerals. Her most cited paper (2021, 237 citations) details SHERLOC’s design and capabilities, demonstrating how its dual boresights create high-resolution chemical maps of the Martian surface. She also led the development of the SHERLOC calibration target (2022, 35 citations), a critical component ensuring data accuracy while also serving as an outreach tool and a prototype for future human exploration. Through her contributions, Dr. Davis has enabled the first definitive, spatially resolved detection of organic molecules on Mars, directly advancing the search for past microbial life. Her work is foundational to understanding Mars’ habitability and shaping the next generation of planetary science instruments.