Geology PhD student Lauren Berger recently received a prestigious grant from NASA to help her unravel the mysteries of Martian sand dunes and contribute to a deeper understanding of planetary evolution.
Originally from Westchester, New York, Lauren arrived at Oxy with an interest in Urban and Environmental Policy (UEP). But like so many liberal arts students, a class during her first year unexpectedly sparked a passion and she fell in love with geology. She was intrigued by the geographic possibilities of the field, which allowed her to specialize in subject matter that she could study around the world.
In short order, Lauren declared a geology major with a concentration in environmental science. She connected with several influential mentors, including Professors Anne Blythe, Margi Rusmore, and Darren Larsen. These relationships and Oxy’s emphasis on hands-on learning helped Lauren discover a love for research early on. As a sophomore, she began working with Professor of Environmental Science Jim Sadd researching the proximity of oil wells in Los Angeles to residential areas.
This research experience became a catalyst for some valuable opportunities, namely a series of internships at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Initially, Lauren landed a Mars Data Analysis internship working with Dr. Matthew Golombek. One internship turned into several more, each building on her skills and deepening her interest in planetary science. She did everything from analyzing images coming from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter to mapping aeolian sand ripples on the surface of Mars in support of NASA space mission operations. Lauren also participated in active operations through the InSight Instrument Site Selection working group, assisting with the landing of a heat probe and seismometer on Mars. “It was really incredible having all the scientists working in a room together and being surrounded by this amazing energy and excitement.” She calls it a pivotal moment in her career.
I got my internships at JPL because I got a research opportunity at Oxy as an undergrad, and then those internships helped me get into graduate school.
Lauren was able to see a clear path emerge as one experience led to the next, helping her grow into her academic and professional interests. “I got my internships at JPL because I got a research opportunity at Oxy as an undergrad, and then those internships helped me get into graduate school,” she says.
Occidental’s support extended beyond the classroom, as the College provided travel funding for Lauren to present her research at the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. “Presenting at the conference was actually how I started making professional connections, which also benefited me when I decided to go to grad school,” she notes.
Lauren’s various experiences laid the groundwork for her senior comps thesis project, a culmination of her academic and professional learning in which she examined the effects of wind over time on the formation and movement of sand ripples in the Jezero Crater, where the Perseverance Rover is located.
After graduating, Lauren pursued a career in the National Park Service, starting as a night sky volunteer in Yellowstone National Park and later working as a park ranger at Lassen Volcanic National Park. It was during this time that Lauren realized how much she missed being an active participant in scientific research. “I found myself reading conference abstracts or any open-source articles I could find on my lunch breaks. And that's when I realized, okay, I think it's time to go to grad school,” she says.
If I’d gone to a school that didn’t have the ability to let me figure out who I was, I would be on a very different path right now.
Today, Lauren is pursuing a PhD in geology at Texas A&M University. She recently received a prestigious three-year NASA grant to study compound dunes on Mars. Her research aims to identify and analyze these kilometer-scale wind-formed structures, using high-resolution imagery from NASA’s orbiting spacecraft to uncover valuable insights into the planet’s atmosphere as well as climatic and geological history. Comparing these Martian environmental dynamics to the patterns found on Earth may also allow Lauren to draw meaningful parallels between the two planets that will help scientists plan future exploration and assess the habitability of Mars. The importance of this research is underscored by the competitive nature of the grant, with funding awarded to only 156 of more than 1,000 proposals.
Looking back, Lauren credits Occidental’s small size and liberal arts curriculum for allowing her to explore her interests and find her way professionally. “If I’d gone to a school that didn’t have the ability to let me figure out who I was, I would be on a very different path right now,” she reflects.
Main image caption: Lauren standing next to a glacier in Iceland during the SAND-E Mission (Semi-Autonomous Navigation for Detrital Environments) in 2021. She studied Mars-like terrain to learn how sediments change upriver vs. downriver and tested rover science operations and navigation in those environments.