Grace is currently an AE Postdoctoral fellow from the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech. She works with Dr. Facundo Fernández and Dr. Christopher Carr on developing analytical techniques to detect and characterize molecules for spaceflight applications.
She earned her BA degree in Geology at Franklin and Marshall College in 2018 and obtained her Ph.D. degree in Geology from the University of Maryland, College Park in 2023, under the supervision of Dr. Ricardo Arevalo Jr. She started my doctoral program with laser ablation analysis of mineral zircon to constrain redox conditions critical for the emergence of life in early Earth. In recent years, her research interests evolved to characterization of molecules via mass spectrometry (MS) for spaceflight application. Specific projects include detection and sequencing of oligopeptides via laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and measurements of collision cross section of molecules via transient signals from Orbitrap MS. Throughout her Ph.D., she has worked with scientists and engineers to develop and mature a laser-enabled Orbitrap device for biomolecule detection in space. This unique experience stimulates her passion to continue developing analytical techniques and instrumentation for the search of organic signatures in space
She lives in an active lifestyle, and when she isfree/stressed/bored goes for a swim, bike, run, lift, and do hot yoga. She also loves love pastries and fashion.