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Sarah R. Black, PhD

Sarah R. Black is a planetary scientist at the USGS Astrogeology Science Center. Sarah earned a bachelor's degree in Geology from the State University of New York (SUNY) Buffalo in 2004, a master's degree in Geology from SUNY Buffalo in 2006, and a Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder in 2018. She is now a member of the ASC Planetary Geologic Mapping group.

Prior to joining the USGS in 2020, I was an Associate Research Scientist with the Planetary Science Institute (2020), and a Solutions Engineer at Esri and Harris Geospatial Solutions (2018 - 2020).  I also spent five years as a Geoscience Department faculty member at Skidmore College (2008 – 2013), before earning my Ph.D. at CU Boulder. Through these experiences, I have developed a passion for education, outreach, and GIS in the planetary science community.

 

Professional Experience

  • 2020 - present: Research Physical Scientist, USGS Astrogeology Science Center

  • 2020: Associate Research Scientist, Planetary Science Institute

  • 2019 - 2020: Solutions Engineer, Esri

  • 2018 - 2019: Solutions Engineer, Harris Geospatial Solutions

  • 2008 - 2013: Geoscience Department faculty member, Skidmore College

  • 2006 - 2007: Assistant Staff Scientist, Malin Space Science Systems

     

Education and Certifications

  • Ph.D. 2018, University of Colorado Boulder; Geological Sciences; Dissertation: Identification and Characterization of Martian Acid-Sulfate Hydrothermal Alteration

  • M.S. 2006, SUNY Buffalo; Geology; Thesis: Origin and Evolution of Islands in Ionian Paterae

  • B.A. 2004, SUNY Buffalo; Geology; Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa

     

Honors and Awards

  • May 2021: USGS STAR Award - Ongoing efforts to support the USGS Astrogeology Science Center

  • January 2021: USGS STAR Award - Production of interactive map of Jezero crater and Nili Planum, Mars

  • 2020 Tanaka-Greeley Fellowship, USGS Astrogeology Science Center

  • 2016 Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration

  • 2016 Geological Society of America Graduate Research Grant

  • 2015 University of Colorado Boulder Geology Department Graduate Research Shell Grant

     

Abstracts and Presentations

  • Gabriel, T. S., and Black, S. (2023), GIS tools and machine learning methods to improve interpretation and operational responsiveness of active neutron data from Mars, in Planetary Data Workshop Abstracts, Abstract # 7092.

  • Black, S. R., Buban, H. C., Wilber, C. H., and Bogle, S. R. (2023), Cultivating Digital Mapping Resources for the Planetary Science Community: Updates for 2023, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, Abstract # 1675.

  • Black, S. R., Hunter, M. A., Buban, H. C., and Skinner, J. A. (2022), Improving Accessibility and Digital Mapping Resources for the Planetary Science Community: Updates for 2022, in Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting Abstracts, Abstract # 7023.

  • Black, S. R., Buban, H. C., and Skinner, J. A. (2022), Recommended Standards for the Correlation of Map Units Map Component: 2022 Updates, in Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting Abstracts, Abstract # 7026.

  • Burr, D. M., Skinner, J. A., Buban, H. C., Black, S. R., and Maue, A. D. (2022), Curriculum Development for Teaching Planetary Geologic Mapping: An Example from Northern Arizona University, in Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting Abstracts, Abstract # 7027.

  • Black, S. R., Skinner, J. A., and Buban, H. C. (2022), Addressing a Community Need: Recommended Standards for the Correlation of Map Units Map Component, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, Abstract #1416.

  • Gullikson A. L., Gaither T. A., Skinner J. A., Black S. R., and Buban H. C. (2022), USGS Astrogeology Terrestrial Analog Sample Collection:  2022 Update, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, Abstract #1599.

  • Black, S. R., and Skinner, J. A. (2021), Improving the Accessibility and Functionality of Planetary Maps Through Web-Based Resources, in Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting Abstracts, Abstract # 7037.

  • Burr, D. M., Wolak Luna, J., Learner Ponterio, Z. A., Skinner, J. A., and Black, S. R. (2021), Status Update on the Inaugural NASA Planetary Geologic Mapping Workshop: Selected for June 2022, in Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting Abstracts, Abstract # 7038.

  • Fortezzo, C. M., Edgar, L. A., and Black, S. R. (2021), Geologic Map of Southwestern Melas Chasma, Mars, 1:150,000-Scale, in Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting Abstracts, Abstract # 7050.

  • Black, S. R., Hynek, B. M., McCollom, T. M., and Larsen, J. F. (2018), Hydrothermal acid-sulfate alteration of a synthetic Mars composition basalt: Implications for hydrothermal deposits on Mars, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 49.

  • Black, S. R. and others (2018), Bulk mineralogy of surficial hydrothermal acid-sulfate deposits at Námafjall, Þeistareykir Geothermal Field, and Hengill Volcano, Iceland: Implications for the identification and interpretation of hydrothermal deposits on Mars, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 49.

  • Yingst, R. A., and others (2018), Is a linear or a walkabout protocol more efficient for robotic sample selection in a small region of interest?, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 49.

  • El-Maarry, M. R., Black, S. R., Hynek, B. M., and Yingst, R. A., (2018), Testing operational strategies for the Mars 2020 helicopter using a UAV, in European Planetary Science Congress Abstracts, 12.

  • Chojnacki, M., Hynek, B. M., Black, S. R., Thomas, R., Hoover, R., Martin, J. R. (2017), Year 3 Geologic Mapping of Eastern Coprates Chasma (MTM -15057), Mars, in 3rd Planetary Data Workshop and Annual Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting, Abstract #7104.

  • Black, S. R., Hynek, B. M., McHenry, L. J., McCollom, T., Cameron, B., Ludyan, J. (2017), Alteration Mineralogy and the Effect of Parent Lithology at Hydrothermal Mars Analog Sites: Initial Results from Hengill and Krafla Volcanoes, Iceland, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 48.

  • El-Maarry, M. R., Black, S. R., Hynek, B. M., McHenry, L. J. (2017), Mineralogy of Fumarolic Deposits from Iceland as Analogs for Ancient Hydrothermal Systems on Mars: Role of Temperature, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 48.

  • Yingst, R. A., Bartley, J., Chidsey, T., Cohen, B. A., Gilleaudeau, G., Hynek, B. M., Kah, L. C., Minitti, M. E., Williams, R. M. E., Black, S., Gemperline, J., Helsius, R., Schaufler, R. (2017), Determining Efficient Rover Science Protocols for Robotic Sample Selection, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 48.

  • Chojnacki, M., Hynek, B. M., Black, S. R., Hoover, R., Martin, J. R. (2016), Geologic Mapping of the Coprates Chasma (MTM -15057), Mars: Year 2, in Annual Planetary Geologic Mappers Meeting, Abstract #7042.

  • Black, S. R., Hynek, B. M., Hoover, R., Beckerman, L. G., Alvarado, G. E. (2016), Characterization of Hydrothermal Alteration in Costa Rica: Mineralogy, Methodology, and Implications for Mars, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 47, 2546-2547.

  • Chojnacki, M., Hynek, B. M., Black, S. R., Hoover, R., Martin, J. R. (2016), Geologic Mapping of the Coprates Chasma (MTM -15057), Mars: Year 2, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 47, 2828-2829.

  • Black, S. R., Hynek, B. M., Kierein-Young, K. S., Avard, G., and Alvarado, G. E. (2015), Hydrothermal Alteration Mineralogy Characterized Through Multiple Analytical Methods: Implications for Mars, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting Abstracts, # 82595.

  • Hynek, B. M., Chojnacki, M., Black, S. R., and Martin, J. R. (2015), Geologic Mapping of the Coprates Chasma (MTM -15057), Mars: Year 1. Abstracts of the Annual Meeting of Planetary Geologic Mappers, Honolulu, HI, June 22-24, 2015.

  • Black, S. R., Hynek, B. M., and Alvarado, G. E. (2015), Spectral Identification of Acid Sulfate Alteration Products in Costa Rica Volcanoes: Implications for Early Mars, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 46, 2260-2261.

  • Gregg, T. K., Lopes, R. M., Black, S. M. (sic.), and Lougen, J. (2006), Ionian Paterae: New Insights from Observations, Numerical Modeling, and Laboratory Simulations, in AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts, vol. 1, p. 105, P23E-1015.

  • Black, S. R., and Gregg, T. K. P. (2006), The Origin and Evolution of Islands in Ionian Paterae, in Lunar and Planetary Science Conference Abstracts, 37, 2180-2181.

     

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