Mohamed Ben Marzoug

PhD student

Faculty of Sciences-Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University

I am a Ph.D. student in the Department of Geology at the Faculty of Sciences-Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco. I have also been a member of the International Venus Research Group (IVRG) since its inception in 2022. I obtained a master’s degree in applied geosciences from Cadi Ayyad University and I’m now specializing in geological mapping and remote sensing. Recently, I have developed a passion for planetary sciences, astrogeology, and planetology. Committed to academic excellence, I actively collaborate with peers and mentors while also engaging in science communication efforts to share my findings with broader audiences.

Francesca Corrado

PhD student

University of Naples “Federico II”

I graduated in geology from the University of Naples “Federico II”, with an M.Sc. degree in ore geology and hyperspectral remote sensing. My thesis, titled “Application of the PRISMA satellite hyperspectral sensor to the exploration of Cu-Mo porphyry deposits of the Miocene to Early Pliocene Belt of Central Chile”, focused on identifying alteration halos and mineral assemblage in the Rìo Blanco-Los Bronces district (Chile). Currently, I’m a Ph.D student at the University of Naples “Federico II” and my research is focused on critical raw materials (i.e., vanadium) and their identification in ore deposits using satellite and laboratory hyperspectral methods.

Ana de Dios Cubillas

PhD student

Centro de Astrobiología (CAB), CSIC-INTA

I am a geologist graduated from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid. I completed the Master´s degree in Environmental Change and Human Impact in the Quaternary Period at the University of the Basque Country. My Master´s thesis, entitled “Study of the mineralogy and structures of cold seeps and their implications for astrobiology on Europa”, was awarded with the second prize in the III Edition of the “Jorge Civis” Awards. I am a final year PhD student at the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos and Centro de Astrobiología developing the thesis on the role of minerals in the biogeochemical cycle of ocean worlds.

Francesco Gallo

Professional geologist

As a geologist I have dealt with various topics that have led me to travel the world. To study water geochemistry and seismogenic faults I have traveled around Italy, shale gas exploration has taken me to Poland in the Holy Cross Mountains and soil gas sampling took me to Kamchatka at JKASP2018. I traveled on geology as a passenger that never stops looking out the window with curiosity and amazement. In planetary geology, thanks to the GMAP Winter School, I saw an opportunity to look out of new windows orbiting other planets.

Camilla Gentili

Research fellow

Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV)

I have a Master’s degree in Geology of the Territory and Resources at Roma Tre University and I am passionate in planetary geology. I collaborate with the Sapienza Technology Team in the European Rover Challenge (ERC) competition in realization of the geological map of Mars. My study plan at the university has been structured to pursue the objective of studying planetary science with the focus on morphology, tectonics and volcanology. With both my bachelor’s and master’s theses, I worked on Mars (on Valles Marineris and Tharsis Tholus) with the aim of reconstructing an evolutionary model of the studied area.

Aleksandra Kadashnikova

Master student

China University of Geosciences, Beijing (CUGB)

My background is in terrestrial geology, and I have worked as a geologist and GIS geologist for various geological companies and a research institute, engaged in the studying, prospecting and exploration of mineral deposits. I have a passion for both planetary geology and cartography, which is why I decided to attend the China University of Geosciences to learn about applying remote sensing and GIS technologies to planetary geologic mapping. As Earth’s mineral resources become scarce and the environment worsens, I think future exploration work should be conducted sustainably, not only on Earth, but ideally beyond it as well.

Belen Muñoz

PhD student

CRPG-CNRS, Université de Lorraine; Department of Geology, University of Chile

I am a Chilean geologist and Ph.D. student in planetary geology. My research focuses on studying Terrestrial Analogs for Mars in the Atacama Desert (Chile). I have an extensive background in field geology and remote sensing techniques which I use to explore the pristine geology at the driest places on Earth. Throughout my academic training, I have been delighted in mapping planetary surfaces and producing cartography, unraveling the geological settings and secrets of planets through their surfaces. The GMAP Winter School provided an excellent opportunity to enhance our technical skills in planetary mapping. Beyond sciences, I am passionate about being myself in nature and enjoying rock climbing.

María Daniela Muñoz-Granados

IUGS Social media and Outreach manager

Universidad de Los Andes; Universidade de Coimbra

I am a Colombian geoscientist currently in charge of social media and outreach activities at the IUGS. I graduated from the Universidad de Los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia) in 2019, and afterwards, I worked as a research assistant at the same university. Later, I served as a research intern at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and, subsequently, as a professional geologist at the Servicio Geológico Colombiano (SGC). In September 2024, I will begin my MSc studies in Planetary Geology at Coimbra University as an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarship holder.

Maycol Sandoval Velasquez

Graduate student

Universidad Nacional de Colombia

I am a 24-year-old geologist, recently graduated from Universidad Nacional de Colombia, driven by a great ambition to pursue research in planetary geology. My academic journey has been profoundly influenced by a passion for astronomy and planetary sciences, leading me to actively engage in diverse student groups and national scientific outreach initiatives. My undergraduate research focused on petrology of meteorites, specifically on an impact-melt breccia ordinary chondrite, employing techniques such as petrographic microscopy and electron probe microanalysis. Currently, I am a prospective master’s student eagerly applying for a planetary sciences program in Germany this year.

Tobias Schelte

Representative of the coordinator of the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service for Germany

Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy of Germany (BKG)

I studied geoinformatics with a focus on remote sensing at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena. I then worked at the Chair of Remote Sensing Methodology at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) on the EuroCrops Project which aims to classify crops within the EU by using satellite imagery. Afterwards, I was employed at the Federal Agency of Hydrology (BfG) on the WaMUT Project which compared the capability of different LIDAR and photogrammetric sensors in detecting areas of fluctuating water levels. Since March 2023, I am employed at the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) as representative in the Copernicus Land Monitoring Service.