Stefano Nerozzi

In short...

My primary research focus is answering outstanding questions regarding surface processes and the evolution of the cryosphere on Mars and Earth by deciphering their geologic record. My chief expertise is the analysis of radar sounding data, which I integrate with a wide variety of remote sensing datasets. On Earth, I also employ ground penetrating radars, time-domain electromagnetic sounding, seismometers, photogrammetry drones, and thermal profilers. I designed and built a few of the instruments that I employ in the field, and I’m currently developing what I consider the next generation of radar and electromagnetic sounders.

Recent research projects

I am the PI on two funded NASA Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP) projects that employ a wide variety of radar sounding and geologic mapping techniques to reveal the nature of icy sedimentary deposits and debris-covered glaciers at the poles and mid-latitudes of Mars. Until recently, I was the Science PI of an MDAP-funded project to study the fluvial and volcanic history of outflow channel systems in Utopia Planitia, Mars. This work integrated several remote sensing techniques to unravel the history of landforms shaped by ancient water flows and interactions between volcanic processes and ground ice.

PhD work at UT Austin

My past postdoctoral research work at UT Austin involved processing and analysis of Gamma Ray Spectrometer elemental concentration data from Mars Odyssey to reveal possible formation mechanisms of boulder halos and their spatial relationship with mapped geologic units and terrain surface composition. My doctoral research focused on constraining which driving forces and surface processes are responsible for the initial emplacement of the north polar cap of Mars in the Late Amazonian. This work included stratigraphy and morphology mapping via orbital radar and high-resolution imagery, and climate modeling with general circulation models.

Research team

I mentor an enthusiastic and diverse team of graduate and undergraduate research assistants, who collaborate on my projects, conduct their own independent research, and exploratory investigations for future projects. Together we work on a wide variety of research themes, spanning from glaciology and airborne geophysical studies of Earth's glaciers and ice sheets to Mars surface geology and instrument development.

Instrument development

I have many other interests, including the design and construction of electronic measurement devices for geophysical application on debris covered glaciers, such as ground temperature profilers and 3D-component seismometers for passive seismic microtremor studies. I also have a growing interest and involvement in the design and development of landed and orbital radar sounders. All these projects are funded by internal seed grants and provide the foundational framework for larger instrument and mission proposals.

Mission participation

I'm a Co-I on the Shallow Radar (SHARAD) science team, and have been an active member since I started my first research project on Mars' polar stratigraphy in 2012. Since then, I have been targeting several regions on Mars to increase data coverage of high interest regions, such as future landing sites (e.g., Jezero crater, Oxia Planum, Elysium Planitia), and unexplored areas. In recent years I participated in the International Mars Ice Mapper (I-MIM) Measurement Definition Team as an early career lead and Instrument Definition Team as a member of the VHF radar team.