Merve Yeşilbaş Lab

Welcome to our research group! We research the aquatic (geo) chemistry of the planet Mars and the Icy Worlds in our solar system, focusing on extreme environments on Earth using vibrational spectroscopy. We connect our laboratory analyses with martian orbit data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer of Mars (CRISM) to search for life beyond Earth.

We are searching for one of the biggest quests of humanity: "Are We Alone? Is the life out there in the universe?". To resolve this, we are addressing the following questions:

• Is there water on Mars?

• What is the role of water in Martian geochemical history?

• How can we reveal the potential water resources for future human explorations on Mars?

Our research focuses on the geochemical changes of the planet Mars and the Icy Worlds using spectroscopic techniques. We use Martian analogue rocks and soils collected from the extreme environments on Earth (e.g., Hawaii, Antarctica) to reveal the geochemical and climate history of Mars and search for potential water resources on the Red Planet. We use an integrative approach by bridging the laboratory data with Martian orbit data, especially from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM). We bring a novel integrative approach to understanding the role of Martian regolith and rocks in water stabilization under extreme conditions at the molecular level.

• To evaluate the environmental conditions for the formation and stabilization of liquid salty brine in the near surface regions of Mars using Martian analogue soils, rocks, and salts.

• Binding, trapping, and release of carbon dioxide (g) from Martian analogue permafrosts.

• To evaluate the VNIR spectra of Martian analogue mixtures with correlating Martian orbit data using the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM).

Our research projects are multidisciplinary, and we are collaborating with international teams from a wide range of scientific disciplines.