Grace Fanson
Graduate Student, Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Email: gfanson@mit.edu; Pronouns: she/her
www.gracefanson.com
Education
Massachusetts Institute of Technology Cambridge, MA
Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Planetary Science Est. May 2028
Advisor: Gaia Stucky de Quay
Georgia Institute of Technology Atlanta, GA
College of Sciences
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Physics Dec 2022
Highest Honors
Publications
Conference Abstracts
- G. Fanson, G. Stucky de Quay. Constraining the Fraction of Ancient Martian Valleys Destroyed by Impact Events. 2024 The Tenth International Conference on Mars
- G. Fanson, J. Wray, F. Rivera-Hernandez, E. Hughes, M. Novak. Further Evidence for Ancient Explosive Volcanism in Northern Arabia Terra, Mars. Geological Society of America Conference 20222. #156-4 doi: 10.1130/abs/2022AM-380207
- A. Simpson, E. Rader, A Pital, B. Zinzer, G. Fanson, F. Wroblewski, J. Wray, M. L. Cable, A. M. Stockton. Large-scale sampling of biosignature distribution in aeolian-and volcanism-resurfaced Icelandic Mars analogs: integrating ground data, artificial landscape models, and satellite data. 2022 Astrobiology Science Conference. AGU, 2022.
- G. Fanson, J. Wray. Testing the Hypothesis of Ancient Volcanism in Arabia Terra, Mars. ExplOrigins Colloquium 2022
Future Publications
1. G. Fanson, J. Wray, F. Rivera-Hernandez, E. Hughes. Further Evidence for Ancient Volcanism in Northern Arabia Terra, Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research – Planets (in prep, Est. July 2024)
Relevant Coursework and Skills
- Programming and Software: Python, QGIS, ENVI, Microsoft Office, JMARS
- Graduate Coursework: Earth Mechanics, Geophysics, Geomorphology, Field Geophysics, Geology,
- Undergraduate Coursework: Land Remote Sensing, Optics, Thermodynamics, Advanced Lab, Optics Lab, Electrodynamics, Classical Mechanics, Data Input and Manipulations, Introduction to Computer Science, Statistical Mechanics
- Workshops: Titan Northeast Meeting at Brown University
Research Experience
2021-2023 ARES Lab / PLANETAS Group at Georgia Institute of Technology under Dr. James Wray and Dr. Frances Rivera-Hernandez
- Analyzed CRISM data using ENVI software to determine if mineralogy in Northern Arabia Terra is consistent with past volcanic activity
- Developed Python tool to aid in analysis of silica spectra
2022-2023 FELDSPAR Team under Dr. Erika Rader and Dr. Anna Simpson
- Analyzed WorldView-3 data using QGIS Software to investigate potential biosignatures at Mars analogue sights in Iceland
2021 Spring under Dr. James Sowell
- Analyzed CN star data from the Michigan Spectral Catalogue including relationships between the stars’ luminosity, absolute magnitude, distance, and radius
Honors and Awards
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- 2023-2025 Praecis Presidential Graduate Fellow, (full tuition and stipend)
- Mars Student Travel Grant to attend the 10th International Conference on Mars
Georgia Institute of Technology
- 2022 Bachelor of Science in Physics with Highest Honor
- 2022 President’s Undergraduate Research Award
- 2018-2022 Dean’s List
- 2018-2022 College of Sciences Dean’s Scholarship
Outreach and Volunteer
2023 – present, Application Mentorship Program (AMP) at MIT
- Organize AMP events and coordinate mentorship
- Mentor to applicants to EAPS graduate programs
2024 – present, Planetary
2023 Cambridge School Volunteers
- Individually tutor 6th grade student in math and science
2022 Atlanta Science Festival
- Created and led spectroscopy and impact cratering workshops for children
2021 Science and Entertainment Exchange
- Moderated and organized live panel discussion
2018 Red Cross
- Organized large blood drive events securing over 200 donors
Employment
2024 Teaching Assistant - Intro Geophysics & Planet Science (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
- Lead class discussions
2022 Teaching Assistant - Optics (Georgia Institute of Technology)
- Held office hours and graded assignments / exams
2021 Legal Assistant at Tesar Law Group
- Aided the drafting and editing of estate planning documents for clients
2020 Systems Engineering Intern at Sierra Nevada Corporation Space Systems Group
- Developed requirements for Crew, Internal Thermal Control, Environmental Control, and Life Support systems for the Human Landing System
- Aided development of test plans for the Thermal Control System for Dream Chaser