2023 Lecturer | Dr. Doug Ming
About the Lecturer
Dr. Doug Ming is an emeritus planetary scientist within the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science (ARES) Division at the Johnson Space Center. He has extensive experience in soil chemistry and mineralogy and numerous publications on the analysis of data from Mars robotic missions. Although recently retired, Dr. Ming remains a science team member and a co-investigator for the Mars Science Laboratory Mission (Curiosity). Ming was previously a science team member on the Mars Exploration Rovers (Spirit and Opportunity), a co-investigator for the 2007 Mars Phoenix Scout and science team member of the 1998 Mars Polar Lander Missions.
Current research focuses on characterization of the mineralogy, geochemistry, and aqueous alteration history of sedimentary rocks in Gale crater on Mars through the instruments onboard the Curiosity rover. Specific research projects include the characterization of short-range order/X-ray amorphous phases in terrestrial soils/sediments as analogs for similar materials discovered on Mars by the Curiosity rover; and experimental studies on the formation of phyllosilicates under acidic environmental conditions in open hydrologic systems as an analog for phyllosilicate formation in sedimentary rocks on Mars.
Dr. Ming is a recipient of the 2005 Jackson Soil Chemistry and Mineralogy Award by the Soil Science Society of America.
Awards
Notable awards include:
- Department of Soil & Crop Sciences Honored Alumni Award, Colorado State University (2015)
- Pioneer Lecture in Clay Science Award, Clay Minerals Society (2014)
- NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (2013)
- Fifteen NASA Group Achievement Awards (1998 – 2017)
Education
- Ph.D. Soil Science Texas A&M University, 1985
- M.S. Soil Science Colorado State University, 1981
- B.S. Agronomy Colorado State University, 1979