EEPS 2024 Homecoming features Distinguished Alumni awardee Martha Lou Broussard ('57), and 'Science in a Flash' speaker, PhD candidate Eleanor Moreland
Eleanor (Ellie) Moreland, fourth-year PhD student working with Dr. Kirsten Siebach, was nominated by EEPS chair Dr. Julia Morgan to give a five-minute talk about her research as part of the 'Science in a Flash' Homecoming event sponsored by the Wiess School of Natural Sciences.
Ellie’s research focuses on the mineralogy of rocks on Mars using data collected by the Mars 2020 Perserverance rover. Her research includes the development of a unique tool called MIST (Mineral Identification by SToichiometry; mist.rice.edu) that finds minerals in geochemical data. Ellie takes remote sensing data collected from rock surfaces in Jezero crater and uses MIST to find minerals. The value of this tool is in automizing large datasets more accurately, therefore allowing standardized, faster detection of minerals that make up the bulk rock to help scientists better understand Mar's geologic history.
The event also included the presentation of two new special awards, one of which was presented to EEPS oldest female alumna, Martha Lou Broussard ('57), in recognition of her distinguished career, life-long dedication to engaging EEPS alumni and support of the next generation of EEPS geoscientists. EEPS alumna Wanda Pan nominated Martha Lou for the honor. Information about the award can be found on the Rice School of Natural Sciences pages HERE.
