Merve Yesilbas

I research bio(geo)chemical changes on Mars by examining Earth's extreme environments, from the coldest tundras (e.g., Antarctic) to the hottest volcanic regions (e.g., Hawaii,Iceland) using spectroscopy. These 'Mars analogues' extreme environments help us explore how minerals and rocks preserve water and initiate life-sustaining reactions. Furthermore, I connect all these laboratory data with spacecraft data analyzes (e.g., CRISM, HiRISE, Curiosity) to search for life beyond Earth.  

My interdisciplinary research combines bio(geo)chemistry, astrobiology, and planetary science to understand water's role in supporting life and its potential for human exploration on Mars. Our goal is to time travel, to answer a single, driving question: Is there, or has there ever been, life on Mars?

I collaborate with leading institutions like SETI, NASA, and many others (e.g., Colorado Boulder, CNRS, German Aerospace Center), with support from the Swedish Research Council, Umeå University, Kempe Foundation, Carl Tryggers Foundation, European Science Foundation, and NASA.

For further information about my group's research projects and news can be found here.