Finishing up with:
Nolan Salinas & Shelby Lopez with: "Creation and Characterization of Vesicles: Insights to Prebiotic Chemistry"
&
Dulce Castillo with: "Europa-Analog Surface Maturation of Organics & Associated Analytical Methodology"

Continuing with:
Ilankuzhali Elavarasan with: "Layered Ice-Organic-Salt Interactions on Europa: Irradiation & Ice Simulation"
&
Andrea Aldaba with: "Europa-Analog Surface Maturation of Organics & Associated Analytical Methodology"

Continuing with:
Kaelyn Calma with: "Electrochemical Simulation of Alkaline Hydrothermal Vent CO2 Reduction with S-Nucleophiles"
&
Kiara Perez with: "Beneath the Red Surface: Functional Architecture of Gale Crater's Subsurface System"

In respective order:
Dr. Deepali Singh with: "Simulating Martian Surface Conditions to Study Geochemical Alteration of Biogenic Organics" & Mauricio Berazaluce with: "Development of Nanomaterial-based sensor for Lunar Regolith Dust Contamination"

@cosmic_buterfly
#JPL #NASA #UTRGV

Ilan’s research simulates Europa’s surface chemistry to probe biosignature preservation 🧪🪐. At JPL, she worked with cryogenic systems ❄️ + UV irradiation setups 🌌, integrating techniques that will strengthen ongoing experiments in our Europa simulation chamber
@UTRGV

Under the mentorship of Dr. Kyra Adams and Dr. Jessica Weber, they achieved full transport flow simulations and developed a 1D chemical model, now advancing toward a fully integrated 3D framework.

During the internship, Kiara built a coupled hydrogeochemical transport model for Gale Crater, Mars 🪐, developing it from the ground up using Earth-based frameworks and adapting them to Martian conditions through Curiosity rover data and Mars Science Laboratory publications.

During her stay, she particularly enjoyed visiting the museum within the science building that was curated to take visitors on a journey from the origins of the universe through the history of life on Earth's fossils, to modern-day animal bones!

The first member of the week will be our Master student: Gabriella Garza. She spent two weeks at the College of Charleston in South Carolina, working in Dr. Jay Forsythe’s analytical lab to utilize MALDI-TOF for her nucleotide polymerization experiments!

Outside the lab, Kaelyn embraced Maine’s beauty 🌸 From blooming flowers to coastal views & skies like paintings 🎨, she found the perfect balance of intense research & peaceful exploration. We’re so proud of her work ! 🌅

Her experiments simulated hydrothermal vents 🌋—testing how reactive gases & mineral surfaces could have sparked key chemistry before life began. Watching her work was inspiring; every run brought us closer to understanding life’s first chemical steps. #OriginsOfLife

When Nolan isn’t in the lab, you can find him either spending time with his besties or with his family! Nothing makes him happier than being surrounded by the people he loves ❤

🧪Nolan joined the ABC Lab in Fall ‘24 to study nucleotide polymerization on FeS via pH gradients—mimicking Hadean vents. 🌋 He’s analyzed honey 🍯 for anticancer compounds w/ UTRGV Med, and now helps quantify vesicle phospholipids 🧬 via LC-MS to probe prebiotic heredity!

We’ll also hear from Myrine Barreiro-Arevalo, 4th-yr PhD candidate @UTRGV, modeling heredity in protocells to uncover evolution before genes! 🧬🔁
Her talk: “Evolution before Genes: Modeling Heredity in Vesicle Systems” dives into the roots of biological inheritance!🧫

Dr. Eloi Camprubi (@UTRGV) will present “Self-Oxidation of the Atmospheres of Rocky Planets with Implications for the Origin of Life” 🔥🌍 His work explores how planetary oxidation shapes habitability + helps uncover the conditions life needs to arise. Don’t miss it! 🧪

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