Svetlana Shkolyar
Graduated: 2011
Svetlana holds a Physics bachelor’s degree (Univ. North Florida), a Master of Arts degree in Science Mass Communication (Univ. Florida) and a Master’s of Science in Space Studies (UND). She has held internships at various NASA centers: Kennedy Space Center (Orion ground operations office; 2007), NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Astrophysics education; 2009 and Mars astrobiology 2010), and NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (optimized laser Raman spectroscopy group, 2013). Currently, Svetlana is currently pursuing a PhD in astrobiology at Arizona State University (http://sese.asu.edu/people/svetlana-shkolyar). Her dissertation research involves ancient life detection techniques on Mars. She helps optimize laser-based in situ tools for landed rovers. She also uses Mars analog geological settings on Earth to inform life detection strategies on Mars. Svetlana is also working on an education project to enhance science learning in the classroom by creating astrobiology-themed lessons for formal and informal educators. When she is not thinking about life on Mars or exciting the public about science, she enjoys salsa dancing and performing a different kind of science experiment - cooking.