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Chris H Okubo, PhD

Deputy Astrogeology Science Center Director and Research Operations Lead.

Chris helps to oversee management of the Astrogeology Science Center. He currently serves as chief for the Research Operations branch of the Astrogeology Science Center and continues research activities as time permits.

Chris has studied thermal characterization of pit craters on Kīlauea volcano, Hawai‘i, high resolution structural mapping in west Candor Chasma, Mars, stability analyses of Martian “gullies” and investigation of formation mechanisms and geotechnical assessments of planetary soils and rock masses. He has also studied fracture-controlled fluid flow on Mars, strain localization in porous rocks and implications for deformation band formation, structural analysis of thrust fault-related folds on Mars and satellite monitoring of active terrestrial volcanoes.

Professional Experience

  • U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, Deputy Center Director and Research Operations Lead (2018-Present)

  • U.S. Geological Survey, Astrogeology Science Center, Research Geophysicist (2008 - 2018)

  • Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, University of Arizona, Postdoctoral Research Associate (2005 - 2008)

  • Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, Research Assistant (2000 - 2005)

  • Hawai‘i Institute of Geophysics and Planetology, University of Hawai‘i, Research Associate (1997 - 2000)

  • HiRISE Co-Investigator and theme lead for tectonic processes

  • Mission operations for the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) camera on board the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

  • Science team member on the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) camera for the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D., Geological Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2005

  • B.S., Geology & Geophysics, University of Hawai‘i at Manoa, 1997

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Geophysical Union

  • Geological Society of America

  • Wilderness Medicine Institute

Honors and Awards

  • NASA Group Achievement award, MSL Relay Operations Team, 2014

  • NASA Group Achievement award, HiRISE Operations Team, 2011

  • NASA Early Career Fellow in Planetary Science, 2006-2010

  • Outstanding Ph.D. student in geoengineering, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2004

  • Overall Outstanding Graduate, Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering, University of Nevada, Reno, 2004

Science and Products

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government