Janice Bishop Named AGU Fellow

The American Geophysical Union (AGU) announced that SETI Institute scientist Janice Bishop was named one of AGU’s 2020 Fellows. AGU Fellows are recognized for their exceptional contributions to Earth and space sciences through breakthrough, discovery or innovation in their work. Since 1962, only a select few of AGU’s membership have been elected as Fellows.

“This award could not be more deserved,” said Nathalie Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. “It is the recognition by the scientific community of someone who has, over the years, continuously put her heart and soul not only in her scientific research at the highest level but also someone who is completely dedicated to education through the mentoring of the next generation of scientists.”

Dr. Janice Bishop is a chemist and planetary scientist who explores the planet Mars using spectroscopy. Her investigations of CRISM data of Mars are revealing clays and sulfates in the ancient rocks that provide information about the geochemical environment at the time the minerals formed. Bishop studies the spectral fingerprints of minerals and rocks in the lab to generate a spectral library to identify these in the Martian data. Her research also involves collecting and studying Mars analog rocks and soils at various locations, including volcanic islands, cold deserts, hydrothermal regions, acidic aqueous sites, and meteorites, which are the only Martian samples available on Earth to date.

Another component of Bishop’s research is collecting spectra under Mars-like conditions. Spectra of many hydrated minerals change depending on the air's moisture level and the amount of water molecules adsorbed on the surface or bound in the mineral structure. Understanding the spectral properties of mineral mixtures in the lab is also crucial for identifying minerals on Mars. Bishop’s group is preparing and characterizing the spectral properties of several mixture suites.

Bishop also serves on the SETI Institute’s Science Council as co-chair of astrobiology and biogeosciences. She has frequently mentored undergraduate students in the SETI Institute’s Summer Research Internship Program and plays clarinet with the International Space Orchestra.

"I am earnestly grateful to AGU for this recognition of my work, and I would like to thank AGU and especially my colleagues who nominated me for this tremendous honor,” said Janice Bishop when notified of her election. “I am extremely proud to join the esteemed group of AGU Fellows."

On December 9, 2020, Bishop and the other 2020 AGU Fellows will be celebrated in a virtual ceremony during the AGU Fall Meeting.

Congratulations to Janice Bishop and the rest of the AGU 2020 Fellows!