Reduced CV
Education
2016 Ph.D. Planetary Sciences (Minor in Geosciences)
The University of Arizona
Dissertation: “The Poles of Mars, Past and Present: A high-resolution observational study of the Martian Polar Regions and their connection to climate”
2015 M.S. Planetary Sciences
The University of Arizona
2013 Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management
The University of Arizona
2007 B.S. Physics
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
The University of Arizona
Dissertation: “The Poles of Mars, Past and Present: A high-resolution observational study of the Martian Polar Regions and their connection to climate”
2015 M.S. Planetary Sciences
The University of Arizona
2013 Graduate Certificate in Engineering Management
The University of Arizona
2007 B.S. Physics
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú
Research Experience
Physikalisches Institut, Universität Bern
February 2017 - Present
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Planetary Sciences, The University of Arizona
August 2016 – January 2017
Senior Research Specialist
Department of Planetary Sciences, The University of Arizona
August 2009-Present
Research Assistant (2009 – 2011), Research Associate (2011 – Present), NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow (2013 – Present)
National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA) – Peruvian Space Agency
March 2007 – May 2009
Research Assistant: Astronomy Department
February 2017 - Present
Postdoctoral Researcher
Department of Planetary Sciences, The University of Arizona
August 2016 – January 2017
Senior Research Specialist
Department of Planetary Sciences, The University of Arizona
August 2009-Present
Research Assistant (2009 – 2011), Research Associate (2011 – Present), NASA Earth and Space Science Fellow (2013 – Present)
National Commission for Aerospace Research and Development (CONIDA) – Peruvian Space Agency
March 2007 – May 2009
Research Assistant: Astronomy Department
Planetary Exploration Mission Experience
Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on ESA’s ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter
February 2017 – Present
Science Theme Deputy Lead: Ice and Periglacial Processes
Team Member
High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE)
July 2016 – Present
Science Theme Lead: Climate Change
August 2010 – 2016
Junior Science Team Member
NASA Planetary Science Summer School
August 2014
Session III. Mission: Argus - Io Observer
Risk and Programmatics Chair
Principal Investigator for the Io GLobal Optical Observer (IGLOO) instrument
February 2017 – Present
Science Theme Deputy Lead: Ice and Periglacial Processes
Team Member
High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE)
July 2016 – Present
Science Theme Lead: Climate Change
August 2010 – 2016
Junior Science Team Member
NASA Planetary Science Summer School
August 2014
Session III. Mission: Argus - Io Observer
Risk and Programmatics Chair
Principal Investigator for the Io GLobal Optical Observer (IGLOO) instrument
Peer-Reviewed Publications
Becerra, P., Sori, M.M., Thomas, N., A consistent but complicated climate record at the south polar cap of Mars (in prep. for J. Geophys. Res. Planets)
Sori, M.M., J. Bapst, P. Becerra, and S. Byrne (2018), Islands of ice on Mars and Pluto (in prep for J. Geophys. Res. Planets)
Brouet, Y., Becerra, P., Sabouroux, P., Pommerol, A., Thomas, N., (2018), A Laboratory-based Dielectric Model for the Radar Sounding of the Martian Subsurface (Accepted pending revisions in Icarus)
Brouet, Y., Cerubini, R., Pommerol, A., Thomas, N., Neves, L., Sabouroux, P., Becerra, P., Grima, C., (2018)Dielectric spectroscopy measurements of saline aqueous solutions in the VHF-UHF bands: towards a dielectric model for icy satellites’ water reservoirs. Proceedings of the 5thIEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace.
Smith, I.B., S. Diniega, D.W. Beaty, T. Thorsteinsson, P. Becerra, A. M. Bramson, S.M. Clifford, C.S. Hvidberg, G. Portyakina, S. Piqueux, A. Spiga and T.N. Titus (2018), 6th international conference on Mars polar science and exploration: Conference summary and five top questions, Icarus 308: 2-14, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2017.06.027.
Tornabene, L.L, F. P. Seelos, A. Pommerol, N. Thomas, C.M. Caudill, P. Becerra, J.C. Bridges, S. Byrne, M. Cardinale, M. Chojnacki, S.J. Conway, G. Cremonese, C.M. Dundas, M.R. El-Maarry, C.J. Hansen, K. Hansen, T.N. Harrison, R. Henson, L. Marinangeli, A.S. McEwen, M. Pajola, S.S. Sutton, J.J. Wray (2018), Simulation and assessment of the colour and spatial capabilities of the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, Space Sci. Rev. 214: 18. doi:10.1007/s11214-017-0436-7.
Becerra, P., M. M. Sori, and S. Byrne (2017), Signals of astronomical climate forcing in the exposure topography of the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 44, 62–70, doi:10.1002/2016GL071197 (*AGU EOS Research Spotlight).
Becerra, P., S. Byrne, M. M. Sori, S. Sutton, and K. E. Herkenhoff (2016), Stratigraphy of the north polar layered deposits of Mars from high-resolution topography, J. Geophys. Res. Planets, 121, 1445–1471, doi:10.1002/2015JE004992.
Brown, A. J., Calvin, W.M., Becerra, P., Byrne, S. (2016), Martian north polar cap summer water cycle, Icarus, 277, 401 - 415, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2016.05.007.
Thompson, M.S., Zega, T.J., Becerra, P., Keane, J.T., Byrne, S. (2016). The Oxidation State of Nanophase Fe Particles in Lunar Soil: Implications for Space Weathering. Meteoritics and Planetary Science 51, 6: 1082–1095. doi: 10.1111/maps.12646.
Becerra, P., Byrne, S., Brown A. J. (2015). Transient Bright “halos” on the South Polar Residual Cap of Mars: Implications for mass balance. Icarus 251: 211-225. doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2014.04.050.
Pelletier, J. D., DeLong, S. B., Orem, C. A., Becerra, P., Compton, K., Gressett, K., Lyons-Baral, J., McGuire, L. A., Molaro, J. L., and Spinler J. C. (2012). How do vegetation bands form in dry lands? Insights from numerical modeling and field studies in southern Nevada, USA. J. Geophys. Res., 117, F04026, doi:10.1029/2012JF002465.
French, R.S., Showalter, M. R., Sfair, R., Argüelles, C., Pajuelo, M., Becerra, P., Hedman, M. M., Nicholson, P. D. (2012). The Brightening of Saturn’s F Ring. Icarus 219: 181-193. doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2012.02.020
Sori, M.M., J. Bapst, P. Becerra, and S. Byrne (2018), Islands of ice on Mars and Pluto (in prep for J. Geophys. Res. Planets)
Brouet, Y., Becerra, P., Sabouroux, P., Pommerol, A., Thomas, N., (2018), A Laboratory-based Dielectric Model for the Radar Sounding of the Martian Subsurface (Accepted pending revisions in Icarus)
Brouet, Y., Cerubini, R., Pommerol, A., Thomas, N., Neves, L., Sabouroux, P., Becerra, P., Grima, C., (2018)Dielectric spectroscopy measurements of saline aqueous solutions in the VHF-UHF bands: towards a dielectric model for icy satellites’ water reservoirs. Proceedings of the 5thIEEE International Workshop on Metrology for Aerospace.
Smith, I.B., S. Diniega, D.W. Beaty, T. Thorsteinsson, P. Becerra, A. M. Bramson, S.M. Clifford, C.S. Hvidberg, G. Portyakina, S. Piqueux, A. Spiga and T.N. Titus (2018), 6th international conference on Mars polar science and exploration: Conference summary and five top questions, Icarus 308: 2-14, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2017.06.027.
Tornabene, L.L, F. P. Seelos, A. Pommerol, N. Thomas, C.M. Caudill, P. Becerra, J.C. Bridges, S. Byrne, M. Cardinale, M. Chojnacki, S.J. Conway, G. Cremonese, C.M. Dundas, M.R. El-Maarry, C.J. Hansen, K. Hansen, T.N. Harrison, R. Henson, L. Marinangeli, A.S. McEwen, M. Pajola, S.S. Sutton, J.J. Wray (2018), Simulation and assessment of the colour and spatial capabilities of the Colour and Stereo Surface Imaging System (CaSSIS) on the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter, Space Sci. Rev. 214: 18. doi:10.1007/s11214-017-0436-7.
Becerra, P., M. M. Sori, and S. Byrne (2017), Signals of astronomical climate forcing in the exposure topography of the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars, Geophys. Res. Lett., 44, 62–70, doi:10.1002/2016GL071197 (*AGU EOS Research Spotlight).
Becerra, P., S. Byrne, M. M. Sori, S. Sutton, and K. E. Herkenhoff (2016), Stratigraphy of the north polar layered deposits of Mars from high-resolution topography, J. Geophys. Res. Planets, 121, 1445–1471, doi:10.1002/2015JE004992.
Brown, A. J., Calvin, W.M., Becerra, P., Byrne, S. (2016), Martian north polar cap summer water cycle, Icarus, 277, 401 - 415, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2016.05.007.
Thompson, M.S., Zega, T.J., Becerra, P., Keane, J.T., Byrne, S. (2016). The Oxidation State of Nanophase Fe Particles in Lunar Soil: Implications for Space Weathering. Meteoritics and Planetary Science 51, 6: 1082–1095. doi: 10.1111/maps.12646.
Becerra, P., Byrne, S., Brown A. J. (2015). Transient Bright “halos” on the South Polar Residual Cap of Mars: Implications for mass balance. Icarus 251: 211-225. doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2014.04.050.
Pelletier, J. D., DeLong, S. B., Orem, C. A., Becerra, P., Compton, K., Gressett, K., Lyons-Baral, J., McGuire, L. A., Molaro, J. L., and Spinler J. C. (2012). How do vegetation bands form in dry lands? Insights from numerical modeling and field studies in southern Nevada, USA. J. Geophys. Res., 117, F04026, doi:10.1029/2012JF002465.
French, R.S., Showalter, M. R., Sfair, R., Argüelles, C., Pajuelo, M., Becerra, P., Hedman, M. M., Nicholson, P. D. (2012). The Brightening of Saturn’s F Ring. Icarus 219: 181-193. doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2012.02.020
Latest First Author Conference Abstracts
Becerra, P., Nunes, D., Smith, I., Sori, M.M., Brouet, Y., Thomas, N. (2018). The Radar and Visible Stratigraphic Records of Mars’ North Polar Layered Deposits. European Planetary Science Congress 2018-1171.
Becerra, P., Sori, M.M., Thomas, N., Pommerol, A., Cremonese, G., Almeida, M., and The CaSSIS Team (2018) Stereo-topographic mapping of the Stratigraphy of Mars’ South Polar Layered Deposits. European Planetary Science Congress 2018-225.
Becerra, P., Sori, M.M., Thomas, N., (2018) The Exposed Stratigraphy of the Martian South Polar Layered Deposits. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLIX. Abs. 2445.
Becerra, P., Nunes, D., Smith, I., Sori, M.M., Brouet, Y., Thomas, N. (2018). Correlation of the Visible and Radar Stratigraphic Records of Mars’ NPLD. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLIX. Abs. 1888.
Becerra, P., Nunes, D., Smith, I., Sori, M.M., Brouet, Y., Pommerol, A., Thomas, N., Guallini, L., (2017). Correlation of Radar and Visible Data of Mars’ North Polar Layered Deposits. European Planetary Science Congress. Vol. 11, EPSC2017-660-1.
Becerra, P., Sori, M.M., Byrne, S. (2017). Signals of Astronomical Climate Forcing in the Exposure Topography of the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLVIII. Abs. 1638.
Becerra, P., Byrne, S. Sori, M.M. (2016). Searching for a Climate Signal in the Polar Deposits of Mars. Oral Presentation. Sixth International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration. Abs. 6037.
Becerra, P., Byrne, S., Sori, M., (2016). Searching for a Climate Signal in Mars’ North Polar deposits. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLVII. Abs. 1732
Becerra, P., Byrne, S., Sori, M., Sutton, S., Herkenhoff K.E., (2016). Stratigraphy of the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars from High-Resolution Topography. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLVII. Abs. 1325.
Becerra, P., Sori, M.M., Thomas, N., Pommerol, A., Cremonese, G., Almeida, M., and The CaSSIS Team (2018) Stereo-topographic mapping of the Stratigraphy of Mars’ South Polar Layered Deposits. European Planetary Science Congress 2018-225.
Becerra, P., Sori, M.M., Thomas, N., (2018) The Exposed Stratigraphy of the Martian South Polar Layered Deposits. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLIX. Abs. 2445.
Becerra, P., Nunes, D., Smith, I., Sori, M.M., Brouet, Y., Thomas, N. (2018). Correlation of the Visible and Radar Stratigraphic Records of Mars’ NPLD. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLIX. Abs. 1888.
Becerra, P., Nunes, D., Smith, I., Sori, M.M., Brouet, Y., Pommerol, A., Thomas, N., Guallini, L., (2017). Correlation of Radar and Visible Data of Mars’ North Polar Layered Deposits. European Planetary Science Congress. Vol. 11, EPSC2017-660-1.
Becerra, P., Sori, M.M., Byrne, S. (2017). Signals of Astronomical Climate Forcing in the Exposure Topography of the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLVIII. Abs. 1638.
Becerra, P., Byrne, S. Sori, M.M. (2016). Searching for a Climate Signal in the Polar Deposits of Mars. Oral Presentation. Sixth International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration. Abs. 6037.
Becerra, P., Byrne, S., Sori, M., (2016). Searching for a Climate Signal in Mars’ North Polar deposits. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLVII. Abs. 1732
Becerra, P., Byrne, S., Sori, M., Sutton, S., Herkenhoff K.E., (2016). Stratigraphy of the North Polar Layered Deposits of Mars from High-Resolution Topography. Lunar and Planetary Science Conference XLVII. Abs. 1325.
Press Coverage
2017 “How Mars Got Its Layered North Polar Cap”, E. Underwood, AGU Research Spotlight, EOS, 98.
2016 Interview. M. Delta, Radio Capital.
2015 Interview. D. Grimaldo, Punto edu (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú).
2016 Interview. M. Delta, Radio Capital.
2015 Interview. D. Grimaldo, Punto edu (Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú).
Languages
- Spanish: Native language
- English: Bilingual/Native proficiency. TOEFL iBT: 119/120
- Italian: Upper-Intermediate (B2). Completed course at Istituto Italiano, Firenze, Italia
- German: Pre-intermediate level (A2)