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Aleks Gawronska

Rock doc, lunatic

Hello, welcome to my page! I am a fellow lunatic trying to learn more about the world around us. I am currently a Postdoctoral researcher at NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center and the Catholic University of America where I study lunar volatiles, with a particular interest in endogenous volatiles delivered during volcanic eruptions. I have been investigating lunar magmatic processes since 2017 using various microanalytical techniques, first as an undergraduate at the University of Notre Dame, and later as a PhD student at Miami University.

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I was born in Kraków, Poland, and moved to the Chicago area when I was 10 (I am fluent in Polish and English). I enjoy all things science, I love dogs (I have a goldendoodle named Charlie), plants, and rock climbing. Cheers!

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site last updated March, 2024

Research

I am broadly interested in how magmatic and volcanic processes operate on planetary scales by producing igneous lithologies that not only modify the world around us, but also preserve a record of conditions under which they formed.

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INVESTIGATION OF LUNAR MAGMATIC SYSTEMS

In my PhD, I studied the petrogenesis of lunar basalts to learn more about the generation, evolution, and emplacement of extraterrestrial lavas.

  • In the first chapter of my dissertation, I investigated lunar lava emplacement mechanisms through X-ray analysis of Apollo samples. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115216)

  • In the second chapter, I investigated the petrography and geochemistry of the same basalts to learn more about the natures of lunar magmatic systems at depth.

  • In my last chapter, I applied both methods to study a group of Apollo 11 samples in detail from source to surface.

 

EXPLORATION OF THE LUNAR SOUTH POLE

I have mapped features of interest near the lunar south pole to support future exploration and sampling activities during the Artemis program.

 

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SEARCH FOR LUNAR MAGMATIC VOLATILES 

As a postdoctoral researcher working at NASA Goddard through the CRESST II program (based upon work supported by NASA under award number 80GSFC21M0002) I have joined mission teams interested in the origin of lunar volatiles where I aim to specifically investigate the presence (or lack thereof) of endogenous volatiles.​

  • I am currently a science team member of the Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS, on right) leading data reduction.

    • In support of PITMS, I have also developed a project to asses whether any morphological evidence of volcanic outgassing exists at the landing site (see LPSC 2024 abstract#2791) ​

  • I will soon join the team operating the Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations (MSolo), set to fly onboard the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) to support data processing and analysis. 

 

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Key Publications

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New interpretations of lunar mare basalt flow emplacement from XCT analysis of Apollo samples.

A. J. Gawronska, C. L. McLeod, E. H. Blumenfeld, R. D. Hanna, R. A. Zeigler (2022) New interpretations of lunar mare basalt flow emplacement from XCT analysis of Apollo samples. Icarus 388, 115216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115216

Outreach and Development

I know that I would not be here if not for the excellent support and mentorship I have received along the way. As a result, it is critically important to me to ensure that everyone (students, mentees, and colleagues) with an interest in Earth and planetary science is supported in a way that enables them to do their best work in an environment that works for them. To support this, I have engaged in activities to support fellow colleagues, research mentees, and students I have taught, outlined below.

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During my PhD, I have been privileged to mentor the following undergraduate students:

  • Katie Caudill (pictured, current undergraduate, Miami University),

  • John Fink (current MS student, Purdue University),

  • Jenn Davis (current PhD student, University of Colorado, Boulder),

  • Jared Brum (2022 MS graduate, Miami University).

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I have been able to become involved in several different institutions at Miami University:

  • Student Representative at weekly departmental Faculty Meetings (2022-2023).

  • Event Coordinator for our chapter of the Association for Women Geoscientists (2022-2023).

  • Unlearning Racism in the Geosciences (URGE) podlet member (2020-2023).

  • Graduate Student Alliance Committee for Data-Based Advocacy member (2020-2021).

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I am always excited to participate in the scientific community:

  • Co-Chair of the session “Melt, Emplace, Mix, Erupt! (MEME) Investigating the Dynamics of Magmatic Systems via Microanalysis” at the joint 2022 North Central and Southeastern Geological Society of America regional meeting.

  • Co-Chair of “Session II: Sample Science” at the 2021 Lunar and Small Bodies Graduate Forum.

  • Stephen E. Dwornik Award Judge during the 52nd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

  • Judge of 2021 Future Engineers Artemis Moon Pod Essay Contest.

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I am grateful to have received much support along the way: 

  • Awarded funding through AGU’s Lawrence A. Taylor Research Fund in Petrology and Geochemistry ($4000) in 2022.

  • Selected for the Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) solicitation ($36,365).

  • Selected as Science PI of successful sample proposal to NASA’s Allocation Analysis Review Board (request #3300) in 2022.

  • Selected to participate in the 2021 “EVA Exercise at Meteor Crater” through the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute.

  •  Awarded Geological Society of America PhD Research Grant ($2100) in 2021.

  • Selected as a 2019 Exploration Science Intern for the Center for Lunar Science and Exploration.

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing this page! Feel free to contact me at the following email address:

aleksandra.j.gawronska@nasa.gov

The Catholic University of America | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center [code 698]

Lunar Craters

Favorite Images

This is my personal gallery of select images that remind me of beautiful places I've been to and good memories I've made as a planetary geoscientist. 

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