EEPS own “Martian Geologist” garners special AAPG award named for Apollo astronaut Harrison Schmitt.
The combined SEG/AAPG International Meeting for Applied Geoscience & Energy (IMAGE) brings research scientists and industry specialists together to present topics in petroleum geoscience, facilitate opportunities to engage the next generation of energy experts, and to honor those who have made a variety of contributions, from recognition of lifetime service and mentorship, to 'out-of-this world' exploration.
EEPS planetary scientist Kirsten Siebach received The Harrison Schmitt Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements of people who, for a variety of reasons, do not qualify for other Association honors or awards, although many of AAPG’s awards recognize the importance of high profile scientists and their accomplishments combined with their ability to inspire and mentor the next generation.
From AAPG:
“We recognize Kirsten Siebach for sharing her extensive knowledge of Martian sedimentary systems and her unsurpassed skills in conveying the excitement of recent discoveries on Mars far beyond the planetary science community.”
“I am deeply honored to be given an award named after (and congratulated by!) Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, the only planetary geologist thus far who was brave, adventurous, and lucky enough to personally visit an extraterrestrial field site,” says Siebach.
An active AAPG member, Kirsten is also a sought after keynote speaker. She has presented at prior AAPG events, including the 2017 ICE meeting in London and IMAGE in 2021, engaging a wide audience to bridge a knowledge gap between academic planetary science and oil and gas exploration, revealing the scientific and practical connections between the two disciplines.
“It was a privilege to be honored by the AAPG, an organization of geologists who are explorers with deep understanding of the geology and history of Earth,”says Siebach. “I've loved having opportunities to share the stories and science behind Mars Exploration through this organization because I learn so much from the questions and conversations that are sparked when professional geologists see images from Mars that look just like Earth! These conversations drive my research and our science forward--on both planets.
Kirsten is also a very popular lecturer and advisor at Rice, both in EEPS and through her offerings at the Rice Glasscock School of Continuing Education. Through her outreach efforts, she seeks to inspire the next generation of space explorationists, encouraging them to ask the hard questions, figure out what tools they need to study them, and then to go find the answers.
By sharing her passion and enthusiasm for planetary science and exploration, Kirsten is a role model and mentor for the next generation of scientists around the world. “I am also grateful to get to play a small role in these efforts that I believe represent some of the best values of humanity; unity, curiosity, exploration, and innovation.”
Kirsten is well situated to train the next generation of scientists, preparing them to explore the entire solar system!