top of page
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY Of ASTROMATERIALS
I am interested in understanding the structure and composition of materials originating in circumstellar and interstellar space. These astromaterials are crucial for building emerging technologies.
I am particularly curious about the structure and composition of ultracomplex and exotic organic/carbonaceous astromaterials, present on comets, asteroids and small Solar System bodies.
​
I have a nearly decade-long hands-on experience optimizing, calibrating and analyzing data from the COSAC payload on European Space Agency's Rosetta mission. I have also collaborated with the science investigation teams of the JAXA-Hayabusa-2 and the NASA-OSIRIS rEX missions.
ANALYTICAL ASTROBIOLOGy TECHNOLOGIES
As a Co-Investigator of the COSAC payload team, I identified several molecules on comet 67P with implications for biochemical processes occurring on Earth.
​
I have also been part of international teams physically simulating the formation of prebiotic molecules, particularly chiral amino acids, in interstellar medium.
​
I am presently interested in comprehending the requirements of analytical astrobiology devices that can yield unambiguous confirmation of life, and deconvolute complex organic compositions if present, on potentially habitable extra-terrestrial objects.
​
I had the privilege of presenting my concepts on Life Detection Technologies at the NASA Headquarters, Washington DC and submitting the same as a white paper to the National Academy of Sciences of United States of America.
SPACE EXPLORATION STRATEGY STUDIES
I undertake analyses of space exploration strategies of various countries and assess their economic and technological impacts on the global common goals for space and deep oceans exploration.
​
My particular focus is on missions to planets and exoplanets that are potentially habitable, organic-rich small Solar System bodies, and those that can host human outposts.
bottom of page