The Mars Society is pleased to announce that Dr. Darlene Lim, a geobiologist at NASA’s Ames Research Center and Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, will give a plenary talk about designing mission elements in support of the human exploration of Mars during the 22nd Annual International Mars Society Convention, scheduled for October 17-20 at the University of Southern California.

Dr. Lim is part of a large research network working to get humans to the Red Planet. Her specific contribution to this effort is to identify innovative operational methods and technical capabilities that will enable humans to conduct important scientific tasks and make groundbreaking discoveries while exploring environments that are inherently dangerous and hostile to human life on Mars and in deep space.

Currently, she serves as Principal Investigator for BASALT (Biologic Analog Science Associate with Lava Terrains), researching terrestrial volcanic terrains and their habitability as analog environments for early and present-day Mars.

Dr. Lim received her Ph.D. and M.Sc. degrees in geobiology from the University of Toronto and a B.Sc.H. degree in biology from Queen’s University (Canada). She has served on a number of NASA MEPAG (Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group) committees and was the MEPAG Goal IV (Prepare for Human Exploration) Co-Chair from 2009-2016. Dr. Lim is also is a seasoned presenter and a passionate promoter of STEM education and outreach efforts.

For more details about the 2019 International Mars Society Convention, including registration and volunteer information, please visit our web site (www.marssociety.org). A list of confirmed speakers and a tentative program itinerary will be posted online in the near future.