Lauren Edgar, Ph.D.
Dr. Lauren Edgar is a Research Geologist studying the Earth, Moon, and Mars through a combination of remote sensing and field techniques, to support robotic and human exploration of the Solar System.
Dr. Edgar’s work involves operating Mars rovers, providing field training to support human exploration, and conducting terrestrial analog studies. Lauren leads the Terrestrial Analogs for Research and Geologic Exploration Training (TARGET) program, which focuses on training, research, data archiving and sample collections to support analog work. Her research aims to understand planetary surface processes through the use of rover and orbital observations and field analogs. She has experience with field characterization of terrestrial sedimentary and volcanic environments, geologic mapping, sample collection and processing, analysis of remote sensing data, and mission operations. Dr. Edgar has more than 15 years of mission operations experience in support of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) and Mars Exploration Rovers (MER). She is involved in facilitating geology training for NASA engineers, managers, astronauts, and mission teams, as well as field analog simulations to prepare for NASA’s Artemis Program, including participation in NASA’s Joint Extravehicular Activity (EVA) & Human Surface Mobility Test Team (JETT) and Desert Research and Technology Studies (DRATS).
Lauren is also passionate about science communication and outreach. She regularly participates in school visits, public lectures, mission blogs, science curriculum development, and community outreach events.
Professional Experience
2014–present: Research Geologist, USGS
2012–2014: Postdoctoral Fellow, Arizona State University
Education and Certifications
2013 – Ph.D., Geology, California Institute of Technology
2009 – M.S., Geology, California Institute of Technology
2007 – B.A., Earth Sciences modified with Engineering, Honors, Dartmouth College
Honors and Awards
NASA Group Achievement Awards for MER and MSL Science and Operations Teams, 2014–2017
USGS Star Awards, 2017, 2019
USGS Peer Award, 2020
Abstracts and Presentations
Edgar, L.A., Skinner, J.A., Young, K.E., Achilles, C.N., Bell, E.R., Britton, A.B., Cardman, Z.M., Cohen, B.A., Fagan, A.L., Feustel, A.J., Garcia, A.H., Garry, W.B., Graff, T.G., Hurtado, J.M., Jacob, S., Richardson, J.A., Miller, M.J., Nawotniak, S.K., Trainor, C.M., Yingst, A.R., Caswell, T.E., Coan, D., Theriot, I., Scheib, B.H., Kostak, C.L., Lindsey, J., Welsh, D., and Tejral, Z, 2023. Fiel
Edgar, L.A., Skinner, J.A., Bleacher, J.E., Evans, C.A., Graff, T.G., Hurtado, J.M., and Young, K.E., 2022. Training for Planetary Exploration in Analog Terrains: The Value of Northern Arizona and the Colorado Plateau, in: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. p. 2282.
Edgar, L.A., Skinner, J.A., Keszthelyi, L.P., Hagerty, J.J., 2021. Science Backroom Training for Lunar Exploration: Analog Training in Northern Arizona, in: Lunar Surface Science Workshop, p. 3020.
Edgar, L.A., Rumpf, M.E., Skinner, J.A., Gullikson, A.Ll, Keszthelyi, L., Hunter, M.A., Gaither, T, 2021. Assessing and Supporting Community Needs for Terrestrial Analog Studies, in: Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration.
Edgar, L.A., Wheeler, B.H., Ort, M.H., 2020. Criteria to Distinguish Eolian, Fluvial, and Volcanic Deposits on Mars: Lessons Learned from Terrestrial Analog Studies. Proceedings of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. p. 2159.
Edgar, L.A., Skinner, J.A., Fortezzo, C.M., Bennett, K.A., 2020. Geologic Mapping and Stratigraphic Analyses in South-Western Melas Chasma, Mars: Year 2 Progress. Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting, 7040.
Edgar, L.A., Wheeler, B.H., and Ort, M.H., 2020. Criteria to Distinguish Eolian, Fluvial, and Volcanic Deposits on Mars: Lessons Learned from Terrestrial Analog Studies, Lunar and Planetary Science Conference p. 2159.
Edgar, L.A., Skinner, J.A., Fortezzo, C.M., Bennett, K.A., 2019. Geologic Mapping and Stratigraphic Analyses in South-Western Melas Chasma, Mars: Year 1 Progress. Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting, 7018.
Edgar, L.A., Fedo, C.M., Fraeman, A.A., Gupta, S., Grotzinger, J.P., Stack, K.M., Banham, S.G., Stein, N., Edgett, K.S., Rubin, D.M., 2018a. Stratigraphy and Sedimentology of the Murray Formation, Observed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover, in: GSA - Joint 70th Rocky Mountain Annual Section / 114th Cordilleran Annual Section Meeting.
Edgar, L.A., Fraeman, A.A., Gupta, S., Fedo, C.M., Grotzinger, J.P., Stack, K.M., Bennett, K.A., Sun, V.Z., Banham, S.G., Stein, N.T., 2018b. Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Observed at Vera Rubin Ridge by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover, in: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. p. 1704.
Edgar, L.A., Fraeman, A., Gupta, S., Fedo, C., Grotzinger, J.P., Stack, K., Bennett, K.A., Sun, V.Z., Banham, S., Stein, N., Edgett, K.S., Rubin, D.M., House, C.H., van Beek, J., 2018c. A Lacustrine Environment Recorded at Vera Rubin Ridge: Overview of the Sedimentology and Stratigraphy observed by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity Rover. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2018
Edgar, L.A., Wheeler, B., Ort, M.H., 2018d. Using Terrestrial Analogs to Distinguishing Eolian, Fluvial, and Volcanic Deposits on Mars. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2018, P31H–3797–3797.
Edgar, L.A., Anderson, R.B., Gaither, T.A., Milazzo, M.P., Vaughan, R.G., Rubino-Hare, L., Clark, J., Ryan, S., 2017a. Water in the Solar System: The Development of Science Education Curriculum Focused on Planetary Exploration. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2017, ED53H–0226–0226.
Edgar, L.A., Calef, F.J., Thomson, B.J., 2017b. The Depositional and Erosional History of Northwestern Aeolis Mons, Gale Crater, Mars: Insights from Detailed 1:2K Geologic Mapping. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2017, EP53B–1697–1697.
Edgar, L.A., Calef, F.J., Thomson, B.J., Anderson, R.B., 2017c. Geologic Mapping of Northwestern Aeolis Mons, Gale Crater, Mars: Context for the Mars Science Laboratory Extended Mission Traverse, in: Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. p. 1964.
Edgar, L.A., Gupta, S., Williams, R.M.E., Rubin, D., Edgett, K., Schieber, J., Grotzinger, J.P., Banham, S.G., Le Deit, L., Lewis, K., Mangold, N., Stack, K., 2016a. Sedimentary Facies Observed by the Curiosity Rover at Gale Crater, Mars. Proceedings of the International Association of Sedimentologists 32.
Edgar, L.A., Skinner, J.A., 2016b. 1:75K-Scale Geologic Mapping of Southwestern Melas Chasma, Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 1920, 7016.
Edgar, L.A., 2015. Exploring the Sedimentary Rock Record of Mars: Insights Gained from the Opportunity and Curiosity Rovers, in: Geological Society of America. pp. 71–11.
Edgar, L.A., Rubin, D.M., Schieber, J., Gupta, S., Williams, R.M.E., Stack, K., Rice, M.S., Grotzinger, J.P., Lewis, K.W., Malin, M.C., Sumner, D.Y., Bell, J.F., Edgett, K.S., 2014a. Reconstructing Ancient Fluvial Environments at the Balmville and Dingo Gap Outcrops, Gale Crater, Mars. American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2014, P42C– 05–05.