Ryan B. Anderson
Education
2012 Ph.D. Cornell University, Astronomy (Geology Minor)
2009 M.S. Cornell University, Astronomy (Geology Minor)
2006 B.S. University of Michigan, Physics and Honors Astronomy & Astrophysics (double major)
Professional Experience
August 2012 – Present Mars Science Laboratory Mission Operations (ChemCam Payload Uplink Lead and Payload Downlink Lead, Keeper of the Plan)
October 2014 – Present Research Physical Scientist / Developer, U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center
January 2012 – September 2014 Shoemaker Postdoctoral Fellow, U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center
January 2012 – Present Mars Science Laboratory ChemCam Science Team Member
2007 – Present MER Mission Operations (Pancam Payload Downlink Lead)
2006 – 2012 Graduate Research Assistant, Cornell University
2006 NASA Academy, Goddard Spaceflight Center
2005 Intern, Lunar and Planetary Institute
2004 Intern, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics REU program
2003 – 2004 Undergraduate Research Assistant, University of Michigan
Fellowships and Awards
2014 USGS STAR Award
2013 NASA Group Achievement Award; USGS Certificate of Appreciation
2012 – Present USGS Shoemaker Postdoctoral Fellow
2008 – 2011 NASA Graduate Student Researcher Program (GSRP) Fellowship
2006 New York Space Grant Graduate Student Fellowship
2006 Cornell Patten Graduate Student Fellowship
Research Interests: Dr. Anderson is interested in using quantitative geomorphology and spectroscopy to understand the evolution of planetary surfaces. He is also interested in using computers to make sense of complex datasets using multivariate analysis and machine learning. His geologic mapping work played a role in the selection of Gale crater as the landing site for the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover, and he is a member of the MSL ChemCam team. He is heavily involved in the quantitative chemical calibration and interpretation of ChemCam laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy data.