EDUCATION

 

PhD in Geology, Geophysical Exploration of Terrestrial and Lunar Volcanic Fields, University of Maryland (2021)

MAS in Space Studies & Aerospace Management, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University (2008)

MS in Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University (2002)

BS in Mechanical Engineering (Honors), Pennsylvania State University (1996)

 

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WORK EXPERIENCE

 

Post-doctoral Research Associate, NASA SSERVI GEODES, 2021 to present

NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, University of Maryland, Department of Astronomy, CRESST II, Greenbelt, MD

• Plan and execute geophysical studies, using various instrumentation, on volcanic features such as lava flows, lava tubes, volcanic ash, and magma bodies as analogs for lunar surface exploration

• Investigate operational concepts and strategies for the efficient geologic exploration of the lunar surface by planning, conducting, and analyzing data from geophysical studies on terrestrial analogs

 

Geophysics Graduate Research Assistant, 2015 to 2021

University of Maryland, Department of Geology

• Perform collaborative near surface geophysical field research on terrestrial lunar analogs

• Develop and apply innovative modeling techniques to study geologic features and processes

 

NASA Space Station & Space Shuttle Flight Control Officer & Astronaut Trainer, 2003 to 2015

NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

• Provided pre-mission and real-time spaceflight expertise on spacewalk, spacesuit, and airlock operations

• Trained astronauts and flight controllers on spacesuits, airlock systems, and spacewalk techniques

• Supported spaceflight research on mission architecture and vehicles for future exploration missions

• Mission operations lead for NASA Desert Research and Technologies Studies simulated lunar missions

 

Space Station Systems Integration Engineer, 2003

NASA Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX

• Conducted Space Station analysis in the Vehicle Integration, Performance, Environments, & Resources group

 

Test Facilities Operations Engineer, 1998 to 2001

NASA Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, OH

• Test operations engineer for cryogenic propellant vacuum research facility

• Designed and operated microgravity experiments onboard NASA reduce gravity aircraft

 

Design and Development Engineer, 1997 to 1998

Oceaneering Space Systems, Houston, TX

• Developed methods for protein crystal manipulation in zero gravity for space station research facility

 

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FIELDWORK & GEOLOGIC FIELD TRAINING

 

• 2021, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center & University of Maryland; Potrillo Volcanic Field, New Mexico: NASA SSERVI GEODES lunar analog field studies of co-located geophysical data sets

• 2019: NASA Planetary Volcanology Field Workshop, Hawaii, Hawaii: Week long immersive field study of terrestrial volcanic features analogous to those on the Moon and Mars

• 2018, 2017: University of Maryland; Lava Beds National Monument, California: PSTAR-2015, TubeX; Investigated geologic and geophysical strategies for lava tube characterization and exploration

• 2019, 2017, 2016: University of Maryland; San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona: PSTAR-2015, Analog field deployments of seismic arrays and near-surface geophysical exploration

• 2009, 2010, 2011: NASA Johnson Space Center; San Francisco Volcanic Field, Arizona: NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies; Simulated human lunar and asteroid exploration missions

• 2011: NASA Johnson Space Center Volcanology and Field Mapping Workshop, Los Alamos, New Mexico: Volcanology and geologic mapping field course tailored to engineers planning lunar exploration

 

 

TEACHING & MENTORING EXPERIENCE

 

• Teaching Assistant, Department of Geology, University of Maryland, 2016

• NASA Reduced Gravity Education Program Mentor, NASA Johnson Space Center, 2008 to 2015

• Teaching Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2001 to 2002

 

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LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS, AND APPLICABLE EXPERIENCE

 

• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Private Pilot License

• PADI Open Water SCUBA certification

• Former member: United States Coast Guard Auxiliary - Air Observer rating

• Performed ~50 hours of suited Neutral Buoyancy Lab (NBL) simulated extravehicular activity (EVA) runs

• Conducted reduced gravity experiments onboard 27 reduced gravity aircraft flights (800+ parabolas)

 

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SELECT PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES, HONORS, AND AWARDS

 

• NASA Review Panel, 2022

• NASA Lunar Surface Science Workshop, Science Enabled by Mobility, Session Assistant, 2020

• American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, Analog Environments Session, Co-chair, 2020

• University of Maryland Ann G. Wylie Dissertation Fellowship, 2019

• Geologic Society of America, Travel Grant to present at Cordilleran Section Meeting, 2018

• Lunar and Planetary Institute Career Development Award, 2016

• NASA Review Panel, Executive Secretary, 2016

• NASA Agency Team Award for Research into Autonomous Crew Mission Operations, 2013

• United Space Alliance, Quest for Excellence Award for Technical Achievement, 2013

• NASA ‘Go the Extra Mile (GEM)' Award, 2011

 

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SELECT PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS

 

Bell E., Schmerr, N., Young, K., Esmaeili, S., Garry, W.B., Jazayeri, S., Kruse, S., Richardson, J., Whelley, P. Field Mapping and Modeling of Terrestrial Lava Tube Magnetic Anomalies as an Analog for Lunar Lava Tube Exploration and Prospecting. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, Special Issue: Exploring Planetary Caves as Windows into Subsurface Geology, Habitability, and Astrobiology. In review 2022.

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Esmaeili, S., Kruse, S., Jazayeri, S., Whelley, P., Bell, E., Richardson, J., Garry, W. B., Young, K. Resolution of Lava Tubes with Ground Penetrating Radar: The TubeX project. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. DOI:10.1029/2019JE006138. 2020.

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Bell, E., et al. Mission Control Team Structure & Operational Lessons Learned From the 2009 & 2010 NASA Desert RATS Simulated Lunar Exploration Field Tests. Acta Astronautica. NASA Desert RATS Special Issue, 2013.

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Horz, F., Bell, E., et al. The Traverse Planning Process for Desert RATS 2010. Acta Astronautica. NASA Desert RATS Special Issue, 2013.

 

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SELECT ABSTRACTS

 

Bell, E., Schmerr, N., Richardson, J., Wike, L., Braccia, C., Huang, H., Whelley, P., West, J., Rees, S., Volcanic Maar Crater Co-Located Geophysical Survey Provides an Analog for Lunar Surface Science Operations, NASA Exploration Science Forum, Boulder, CO, 2022.

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Bell, E., Schmerr, N., Bleacher, J., Porter, R., Young, K., Active Source Seismic Investigation of the San Francisco Volcanic Field Along Simulated Lunar Traverses, Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, Houston, TX, 2022.

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Bell E., Schmerr, N., Feist, B., Richardson, J., Whelley, P., Young, K., Recommendations for Real-Time Coordination for Artemis Lunar Surface Geophysical Science Investigations, Lunar Surface Science Workshop, Structuring Real-Time Science Support of Artemis Crewed Operations, 2021.

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Young, K., Bleacher, J., Graff, T., Glotch, T., Rogers, A., McAdam, A., Whelley, P., Richardson, J., Achilles, C., Knudson, C., Garry, W.B., Feist, B., Scheidt, S., Honniball, C., Morse, A., Naids, A., Coan, D., Rampe, E., Evans, C., Bell, E., Schmerr, N., The Importance of Incorporating Field Portable Instrumentation in Lunar Surface Exploration – And the Implications of Doing So, Lunar Surface Science Workshop, Tools and Instruments for Surface Science, 2020.

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Richardson, J., Bell, E., Schmerr, N., Espley, J., Sheppard, D., Connor C., Whelley, P., Strauss, B., Young, K., Magnetic Surveys to Probe the Lunar Subsurface, Lunar Surface Science Workshop, Geophysics, 2020.

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Eppler, D., Barker, D., Bell, E., Bleacher, J., Evans, C., Graff, T., Head, J., Helper, M., Hodges, K., Hurtado, J., Klaus, K., Neal, C., Schmitt, H., Skinner, J., Tewksbury, B., Young, K., Framework for Executing Lunar Scientific Exploration, Lunar Surface Science Workshop, Lunar Surface Operations, 2020.

 

Bell, E., Schmerr, N., Garry, W.B., Porter, R., Richardson, J., Whelley, P., Young, K., Terrestrial Seismic and Magnetic Field Studies of Volcanic Fields as an Analog to Lunar Surface Prospecting, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, 2020.

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