Stephanie Connell

Graduate Student, Planetary Science

What are you are studying/what you are interested in studying and/or researching while at Purdue? If you have done internships or other applicable experiences, feel free to include them here.

My current area of study is observing the surface of Mars with remote-sensing instruments to analyze the geochemistry and mineralogy of martian rocks using Mars 2020 rover instrument data. I use a multi-instrument technique to address science questions regarding Mars surface processes of rock surfaces that have been abraded to expose a pristine surface, free of surface weathering and coatings. These fresh rock surfaces allow the rover instruments to make more precise measurements and can reveal the geological history of Mars by providing a petrographic window into the lithology and stratigraphy of Jezero Crater. In addition to my PhD research, I participate in Mars rover operations at Purdue, working in various roles on the mission. My roles for the Perseverance rover involve targeting rocks and soils on Mars and planning instrument activities for the SuperCam instrument. As an undergrad, I began Mars rover operations, leading me to my PhD at Purdue University.

What made you want to join the Leading Women Toward Space Careers program?

I wanted to join the program to interact with leading women in the industry, including women well-versed in the community as well as early-career scientists and students. Mentor opportunities are incredibly valuable for both parties involved. Mentorships can assist early career individuals in obtaining the skills they need for entering the space industry and help expand a student’s network. I hope from this experience, I can become a mentor in the future to foster the growth of leading women in science.

What area would you like to work in after graduation? (What career path, interests, opportunities, etc., would you like to accomplish? What field are you interested in?)

My desired career path post-graduation is continued involvement in space mission operations while targeting some big science questions of discovering life on Mars or potentially within the outer solar system. In addition, I have an interest in lunar exploration, specifically the Artemis mission, and plan to become involved in the future. I plan to use my experience in planetary science, instrumentation, and mission planning/operations to contribute to future space missions.