Marjorie A. Chan, Ph.D., Professor, University of Utah

The red rock country of southern Utah, and extending into other areas of the southwest, has important outcrop examples that help researchers interpret the geologic history of Mars. Recent NASA rovers and satellites have imaged the Martian surface in remarkable detail. Comparisons of terrestrial geology suggest past watery conditions on Mars that offers the tantalizing possibility of extraterrestrial life. Hear from an expert on the small iron concretions “blueberries” and sedimentary rocks that were discovered on Mars by NASA Rovers and also occur in New Mexico and other parts of the Southwest. This presentation will show how we can understand Martian processes by using geologic examples of “blueberry” marbles and sedimentary bedding in our own backyard.

Dr. Chan's recent research has applied terrestrial geology examples to better understand Martian geology.  She has 131 peer-reviewed publications and has been featured in National Geographic and Discovery Channel documentary films.  She was the 2014 Geological Society of America’s Distinguished International Lecturer where she gave 53 lectures in 6 countries spanning India, New Zealand, Australia, China, Japan, and S. Korea. Her NASA science and outreach activities include webinars, teaching modules, and short courses for K-12 teachers. She is a Fellow of the Geological Society of America and has been invited ias a speaker for the upcoming 2018 European Geosciences Union Meeting. She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.