Student Spotlight: Kate Hendrickson and Research on the Red Planet
I have been fascinated by space exploration since I was very young. My oldest brother taught me about the stars as soon as I became curious about the world around me. By third grade, I had fallen in love with Mars and NASA, even entering NASA's contest to name the Mars Science Laboratory rover, never imagining that one day I would help operate that very rover.
Today, I am a graduate student in Rutgers University's Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences which has helped me join NASA's Curiosity rover mission as a payload uplink/downlink lead. As part of the CheMin (Chemistry and Mineralogy) instrument team, I help plan instrument operations and interpret the mineralogical data returned from Mars. Those measurements allow scientists to reconstruct the planet's ancient environments and better understand where water once existed, bringing us closer to answering one of humanity's most profound questions: whether Mars could ever have supported life.
This extraordinary opportunity became possible because I came to Rutgers to work with Dr. Shaunna Morrison, whose mentorship and research has opened doors both on Mars and our own planet. My own research combines mineralogy, planetary science, and data science to better understand how minerals form and occur together on Mars. Every day, I have the privilege of contributing to discoveries that expand our understanding of another world while working alongside an incredible community of scientists.
As meaningful as the research itself is, one of the most rewarding parts of this journey has been sharing it with others.
I have been funded to speak at conferences throughout the country and collaborate with various scientists. Through Rutgers 4-H outreach programs and visits to local high school classrooms, I have had the opportunity to introduce students to planetary science and talk about what it is like to work on a NASA mission. Seeing their excitement reminds me of my own childhood fascination with Mars. I hope that, just as others inspired me, I can encourage young people to pursue careers in science, ask bold questions, and believe that ambitious dreams are within reach.
Looking back, I know that none of this happened by chance. It happened because Rutgers invested in creating opportunities for students to pursue meaningful research, collaborate with exceptional mentors, and engage with the broader community. The generosity of alumni and donors helps make experiences like mine possible. Your support extends far beyond the classroom as it enables students to contribute to groundbreaking scientific discoveries, represent Rutgers on the international stage, and inspire the next generation of explorers.
For me, that support transformed a childhood dream into a career studying another planet. I am deeply grateful for the opportunities I have been given, and I hope to honor that investment by continuing to push the frontiers of planetary science while sharing the excitement of discovery with others.
