Sunanda Sharma

Interdisciplinary biologist and designer passionate about bridging the gap between laboratory, mission, and field. Experience in developing new technologies for bio-integrated design, engineering, and manufacturing across scales. Research interests include: astrobiology, microbiology in extreme environments; cultivation of organisms in microgravity; biological pigmentation; and microscopy, spectroscopy, and computational image and spectral analysis as tools for advancing interdisciplinary research. 

Education

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA                                                                           2021 - present

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Astrobiology & Ocean Worlds

Advisors: Dr. Luther Beegle, Dr. Morgan Cable, Dr. Yang Liu

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA                                                                       2020

Ph.D. in Media Arts and Sciences, Thesis: “Designing the Organism-Environment Relationship”         

Advisors: Prof. Neri Oxman, Prof. Ed Boyden, Prof. Danny Hillis      

GPA 5.0/5.0                                                                                                       

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA                                                                       2016

S.M. in Media Arts and Sciences, Thesis: “Design for the Modern Prometheus: Towards an Integrated Biodesign Workflow”                          

Advisors: Prof. Neri Oxman, Prof. Ed Boyden, Dr. Jean Livet

GPA 5.0/5.0

Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA                                                                        2014

S.B. in Biology, Concentration in Psychology, Thesis: “Behavioral and Electrophysiological Study of Virtual Navigation in Mice”                      

Advisors: Prof. Ed Boyden, Dr. Annabelle Singer

GPA 4.0/5.0

*The MIT Media Lab’s Media Arts and Sciences program is a science and technology-focused interdisciplinary department that conducts high-impact research supported by corporate funding as well as federal grants. About 20% of the faculty in this department are in the fields of biology or bioengineering. My research focused on experimental biology.

Research Experience

Planetary Sciences Section, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, US                     August 2021 - present

JPL Postdoctoral Fellow advised by Dr. Morgan Cable, Dr. Luther Beegle

  • Conducting scientific research and operations to support the SHERLOC instrument for the detection of potential biosignatures on Mars as part of the Mars 2020 mission 

  • Investigating organic preservation and detection using Deep UV Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy

  • Primary operator of Deep UV Raman and fluorescence laboratory analog instruments to study relevant mineral, organic, and chemical samples

  • Experience with developing new procedures, troubleshooting, documenting, and calibrating SHERLOC analog/custom UV Raman spectrometers

  • Developing novel automated spectral and image processing pipelines to coordinate across multiple instruments and subsystems on Mars 2020 (approved new technology, open source release)

  • Supporting mission operations including tactical planning for SHERLOC science activities, downlink and rapid interpretation of WATSON and ACI images, and campaign implementation for planetary surface investigation

  • Lead of the Biosignatures Working Group for Mars 2020 Science Team; coordinated weekly meetings to identify priorities and develop in-team proposals for biosignature-focused investigations with the Perseverance rover

  • SHERLOC Early Career Liaison responsible for providing an early career perspective to the broader instrument teams

  • Expanding laboratory analog research on pigments as potential biosignatures; co-I and science PI of active Internal JPL grant and co-guest editor of special issue on this topic in Astrobiology

  • Laboratory biological research investigating pigmented model organisms including halophilic archaea and extremophilic cyanobacteria and their response to simulated extreme environments

  • Trained other researchers (technologists, postdoc, interns) on operation of custom deep UV laboratory Raman instruments 

  • Presented on behalf of the SHERLOC and Mars 2020 teams at international scientific conferences, press briefings, and in media interviews


Space Exploration Initiative, MIT, Cambridge, US                                                  February 2021 – present

Research Affiliate 

  • Expanding astrobiology research and vision in the Initiative

  • Advising an interdisciplinary team as supporting biologist for a microbiological payload for 30-day ISS mission; main role in experimental design, validation, and mission integration

  • Creating protocols for design and selection of flight hardware, in-flight data measurement, and design of post-flight assays

  • Supporting and co-coordinating SEI events focused on life in space and astrobiology (i.e. conferences) 

Applied and Molecular Microbiology, TU Berlin, DE                                           January 2021 – August 2021

Artist in Residence (Remote) under Prof. Dr. Vera Meyer

  • Created cross-disciplinary bio-art related to pigmentation, astrobiology, and organism-environment relationships focusing on the fungus Aspergillus niger as a case study

  • Conceived and conducted design research connecting color theory with pigment science and biodiversity representation, culminating in a video and scientific publication featuring microscopy and animation 

  • Performed micrography to capture fungal morphology and color expression over time

ex situ bio, Cambridge, US                           January 2021 – August 2021

Owner / Freelance

  • Freelance biologist providing expertise in biological design, 3D printing, biofabrication, biomaterials, laboratory design and operations, imaging and microscopy, and bio-art

  • Contracted research scientist with Ramona Optics demonstrating new biological research possible with multi-camera array model (MCAM) high throughput microscopy system, resulting in three scientific publications

  • Contracted research scientist with OPT Industries investigating scalable 3D cell culture methods

  • Experimental research in astrobiology and space research, specifically processing spectral reflectance and Raman data for statistical classification of biosignatures with machine learning in collaboration with D. Gentry (NASA Ames) 

OXMAN, New York, US                                           June 2020-December 2020

Consultant for Oxman / NEOX, LLC Public Benefit

  • Lead scientist for experimental research in biological design, natural materials, and biological 3D printing

  • Designed Biosafety Level 2 laboratory and operational processes including environmental health and safety, custom imaging setups, and cutting-edge microscopy facilities for various biohybrid and bio-architecture projects 

Media Laboratory, MIT, Cambridge, US   September 2014-May 2020

Graduate Research Assistant under Professor Neri Oxman

  • Initiated, designed, and led projects on creation of hybrid synthetic-natural biological systems utilizing synthetic and molecular biology and advanced additive manufacturing techniques

  • Led space biology research which culminated in parabolic and suborbital flights as well as a 30-day mission aboard the ISS and ground-based radiation studies

  • Co-creator and manager of Biosafety Level 2 laboratory; safety and chemical hygiene officer; trained other lab members in advanced laboratory protocols and skills

  • Designed microimaging, video, and timelapse setups for monitoring cell growth, biochemical reactions, animal movement; applied computer vision approaches for tracking changes

  • Co-taught biology lab and design classes for graduate students

  • Mentored masters and undergraduate students

  • Led writing for multiple successful federal grant applications (DARPA, NASA-supported), foundation, and corporate proposals 

  • Presented on behalf of lab group at national events, funding events, and for corporate investors

Institut Curie, INSERM U934, Paris, France                                   June 2014-August 2014

Research Intern under Professor Edith Heard

  • Assisted in breast cancer research conducted in mammalian cells, focusing on the process of X chromosome inactivation as it relates to tumor development

  • Examined the roles of non-coding regulatory RNAs Xist (X-inactive specific transcript) and Tsix. Conducted immunohistochemistry, general histology, and microscopy for tissue tagging and analysis

McGovern Institute for Brain Research, MIT, Cambridge, US                     May 2011-August 2014

Undergraduate Research Assistant (UROP) under Professor Ed Boyden and Dr. Annabelle Singer

  • Designed a collaborative optogenetics project involving manipulation of the basolateral amygdalar and hippocampal brain regions

  • Constructed a VR-based behavioral assay for automated electrophysiology and recording in awake mice

  • Trained fellow lab members in advanced techniques such as small rodent craniotomy, virus injection, perfusion, fiber implant creation, and behavioral paradigm implementation using Unity and Matlab

  • Conducted computational analysis of electrophysiological data from awake behaving mice

  • Utilized confocal microscopy to analyze tissue sections and connections between the basolateral amygdala and hippocampus

  • Presented research in international research conferences, classes, and lab meetings 


Institut de la Vision, INSERM U592, Paris, France                     June 2013-August 2013

Research Intern under Dr. Jean Livet and Sio-Hoi Ieng

  • Improved Brainbow techniques for identification of clonal bodies and cell lineage in quail, chick, and mouse

  • Designed synthetic circuits, executed cloning protocols, conducted injections, microdissections, and confocal microscopy for tissue analysis

  • Developed algorithm for detection of sister cells in confocal images and visual representation of aggregate data in volumetric image stacks


Simons Center for Social Brain, MIT, Cambridge, US                                        June 2009-September 2009

Research Intern under Professor Mriganka Sur and Dr. Damon Page

  • Investigated the effect of environmental enrichment on a strain of Pten haploinsufficient mice modeling the behavioral and social deficits present in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)

  • Project selected as an Intel Science Talent Search finalist in 2010 


Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MIT, Cambridge, US                         June 2008-August 2008

Research Intern under Professor Pawan Sinha

  • Created an image processing and evaluation workflow in Matlab for image-based assay with human subjects 

Experimental design for project exploring the differences between how individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and those without integrate and perceive images

Peer-Reviewed Publications & Full Conference Papers

  1. Simon J, Hickman-Lewis K, Cohen B, Mayhew L, Shuster D, Debaille V, Hausrath E, Weiss B, Bosak T, Zorzano M, Amundsen H, Beagle L, Bell III J, Benison K, Berger E, Beyssac O, Brown A, Calef F, Casademont T, Clark B, Clave E, Crumpler L, Czaja A, Fairen A, Farley K, Flannery D, Fornaro T, Forni O, Gomez F, Goreva Y, Gorin A, Hand K, Hamran S, Henneke J, Herd C, Horgan B, Johnson J, Joseph J, Kronyak R, Madariaga JM, Maki J, Mandon L, McCubbin F, McLennan S, Moeller R, Newman C, Nunez J, Pascuzzo A, Pedersen D, Poggiali G, Pinet P, Quantin-Nataf C, Rice M, Rice Jr. J, Royer C, Schmidt M, Sephton M, Sharma S, Siljestrom S, Stack K, Steele A, Sun V, Udry A, VanBommel S, Wadhwa M, Wiens R, Williams A, Williford K. (2023) Samples collected from the Floor of Jezero crater with the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover. JGR Planets, doi: 10.1029/2022JE007474.

  2. Corpolongo A*, Jakubek RS*, Abbey W, Asher S, Baker D, Beegle LW, Berger EL, Bhartia R, Brown A, Burton A, Bykov S, Cardarelli E, Cloutis E, Conrad P, Czaja AD, DeFlores L, Flannery D, Fornaro T, Fox A, Fries M, Haney N, Hickman-Lewis K, Lee C, McCubbin FM, Minitti M, Morris R, Roppel R, Scheller EL, Sharma S, Shkolyar S, Siljestrom S, Steadman K, Steele A, Uckert K, Wogsland B, Yanchilina A. (2023) SHERLOC Raman minerals detections of the Mars 2020 Crater floor campaign. JGR Planets, doi: 10.1029/2022JE007455. (*joint first authors)

  3. Harfouche M*, Kim K*, Zhou KC, Konda PC, Sharma S, Thomson EE, Cooke C, Xu S, Yang X, Yao X, Pathak V, Appel R, Cooke C, Doman J, Horstmeyer G, Park J, Reamey P, Saliu V, Naumann E, Horstmeyer R. (2023) Multi-scale gigapixel microscopy using a multi-camera array microscope. Optica, doi: 10.1364/OPTICA.478010. 

  4. Thomson EE, Harfouche M, Kim K, Konda PC, Seitz CW, Cooke C, Xu S, Jacobs WS, Blazing R, Chen Y, Sharma S, Dunn TW, Park J, Horstmeyer R, Naumann EA. (2022) Gigapixel behavioral and neural activity imaging with a multi-camera array microscope. eLife, doi: 10.7554/eLife.74988. 

  5. Scheller EL*, Razzell Hollis J*, Cardarelli EL, Steele A, Beegle LW, Bhartia R, Conrad P, Uckert K, Sharma S, Berger EL, Burton AS, Ehlmann BL, Fornaro T, Fries M, Kah L, Kizovski T, McCubbin FM, Moore K, Roppel R, Siljeström S, Wogsland B, and the SHERLOC Team. (2022) Aqueous Alteration Processes and Implications for Organic Geochemistry in Jezero Crater, Mars. Science, doi: 10.1126/science.abo5204. (*joint first authors)

  6. Razzell Hollis J, Sharma S, Abbey W, Bhartia R, Fries M, Beegle L. (2022) A Deep-Ultraviolet Raman and Fluorescence Spectral Library of 51 Organic Compounds for the SHERLOC instrument onboard Mars 2020 Astrobiology, doi: 10.1089/ast.2022.0023.

  7. Moore KR, Present T, Pavia F, Grotzinger J, Razzell Hollis J, Sharma S, Flannery D, Bosak T, Tuite M, Knoll AH, Williford K. (2022) Biosignature preservation aided by organic-cation interactions in Proterozoic tidal environments. Palaios, doi: 10.2110/palo.2022.017. 

  8. Farley KA, Stack KM, Horgan BHN, Tarnas J, Sun VZ, Shuster DL, Simon JI, Hurowitz JA, Moore KR, Scheller EL, Kizovski TV, Russell PS, Vasconcelos P, Tosca NJ, Beyssac O, Bosak T, Ehlmann BL, Mayhew LE, McLennan SM, Treiman AH, Wiens RC, Williford KH…Sharma S (48), et al. (2022) Aqueously altered igneous rocks on the floor of Jezero Crater, Mars. Science, doi: 10.1126/science.abo2196.

  9. Razzell Hollis J*, Moore KR*, Sharma S, Beegle LW, Grotzinger JP, Allwood A, Bhartia R, Brown AJ, Clark B, Cloutis E, Corpolongo A, Henneke J, Hickman-Lewis K, Hurowitz JA, Jones MWM, Liu Y, Martinez-Frias J, Pedersen DAK, Shkolyar S, Siljestrom S, Steele A, Tice M, Treiman A, Uckert K, Yanchilina A. (2022) The power of paired proximity science observations: co-located data from SHERLOC and PIXL on Mars (*joint first authors). Icarus, doi: 10.1016/j.icarus.2022.115179.

  10. Fries MD, Lee C, Bhartia R, Razzell Hollis J, Uckert K, Beegle LW, Graff TG, Abbey W, Bailey Z, Berger EL, Burton AS, Callaway MJ, Cardarelli EL, Davis KN, DeFlores L, Edgett KS, Fox AC, Garrsion DH, Harrington RS, Jakubek RS, Kennedy MR, Hickman-Lewis K, McCubbin FM, Miller E, Monacelli B, Pollock R, Rhodes R, Sharma S, Smith CL, Steele A, Sylvia M, Tran VD, Weiner RH, Yanchilina A, Yingst RA. (2022) The SHERLOC Calibration Target on the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover: Design, Operations, Outreach, and Future Human Exploration Functions. Space Science Reviews, doi: 10.1007/s11214-022-00907-1.

  11. Sharma S, Meyer V. (2022) The Colors of Life: An interdisciplinary artist-in-residence project to research fungal pigments as a gateway to empathy and understanding of microbial life. Fungal Biology and Biotechnology 9: 1, doi: 10.1186/s40694-021-00130-7. 

  12. Sharma S, Begue A, Doman J, Harfouche M, Horstmeyer G, Horstmeyer R. (2021) High Throughput Acquisition and Analysis of Bacterial Colony Features using Gigapixel Microscopy. OSA Optical Sensors and Sensing Congress 2021, paper JM4A.2. doi: 10.1364/AIS.2021.JM4A.2.

  13. Smith RSH*, Bader C*, Sharma S*, Kolb D, Tang T, Hosny A, Moser F, Weaver JC, Voigt CA, Oxman N. (2020) Hybrid Living Materials: Digital Design and Fabrication of 3D Multimaterial Structures with Programmable Biohybrid Surfaces. Adv. Funct. Mater. 30: 1907401. doi: 10.1002/adfm.201907401. (*joint first authors)

  14. Bader C, Kolb D, Weaver JC, Sharma S, Hosny A, Costa J, Oxman N. (2018) Making Data Matter – Voxel Printing for the Digital Fabrication of Data across Scales and Domains. Science Advances 4: 5 EAAS8652. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aas8652.

  15. Bader C, Sharma S, Smith RSH, Disset J, Oxman N. (2018) Viva in Silico: A position-based dynamics model for microcolony morphology simulation. Artificial Life Conference Proceedings 30: 304-310. doi: 10.1162/isal_a_00060.

  16. Sharma S, Oxman N. (2018) Correlative Computational Image Analysis of Blood Drop Drying Patterns. Microscopy and Microanalysis. 24(S1): 1296-1297. doi: 10.1017/S1431927618006967. 

  17. Costa J, Bader C, Sharma S, Xu J, Oxman N. (2018) Spinning Smooth and Striated: Integrated Design and Digital Fabrication of Bio-homeomorphic Structures across Scales. Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia 8: 1-4. 

  18. Keating SJ, Gariboldi MI, Patrick WG, Sharma S, Kong DS, Oxman N. (2016) 3D Printed Multimaterial Microfluidic Valve. PloS ONE 11(8): e0160624. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0160624.

  19. Bader C, Patrick WG, Kolb D, Hays SG, Keating S, Sharma S, Dikovsky D, Belocon B, Weaver JC, Silver PA, Oxman N. (2016) Grown, Printed, and Biologically Augmented: An Additively Manufactured Microfluidic Wearable, Functionally Templated for Synthetic Microbes. 3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing 3(2): 79-89. doi: 10.1089/3dp.2016.0027.

  20. Mogas-Soldevila L, Duro-Royo J, Lizardo D, Kayser M, Patrick WG, Sharma S, Keating SJ, Klein J, Inamura C, Oxman N. (2015) Designing the Ocean Pavilion: Biomaterial Templating of Structural, Manufacturing, and Environmental Performance. Proceedings of IASS Annual Symposia 16:1-13.

Conference Abstracts, Posters, and Presentations

  1. Characterization of silicate minerals in Alfalfa, Maaz Unit of Jezero Crater Floor, Mars (Goldschmidt 2023). Yanchilina AG, Morris R, Schmidt M, Corpolongo A, Jakubek R, Van Hoesen D, Murphy A, Sharma S, Smith R, Steele A, Razzell Hollis J, Uckert K, Bleefeld B, Wu M, Burton A, Lee C, Bhartia R, Minitti M, Sobron P. 

  2. Martian Ferromagnetic Phases Identified by the Perseverance Rover and Implications for Laboratory Analyses of Returned Samples (Magnetics Information Conference 2023, submitted). Mansbach EN, Kizovski TV, Mandon L, Scheller EL, Wiens RC, Herd CDK, Weiss BP, Sharma S.

  3. Inspecting the astrobiological relevance of samples collected at Jezero Crater on Mars by the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance rover for future return to Earth (BEACON 2023, submitted). Fornaro T, Brucato JR, Poggiali G, Alberini A, Florentino CG, Jakubek RS, Fries M, Sharma S, Murphy AE, Coloma L, Aramendia J, Madariaga JM, Steele A, Siljestrom S, Czaja AD, Bhartia R, Ollila A, Clegg S, Lopez-Reyes G, Manrique JA, Beyssac O, Bernard S, Clave E, Wiens R. 

  4. Investigation of Mineralogies During the Delta Front Campaign by SHERLOC (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023). Roppel RD, Abbey WJ, Asher SA, Bhartia R, Bykov SV, Conrad P, Hollis JR, Minitti M, Murphy A, Scheller E, Sharma S, Siljestrom S, Steadman K, Steele A, Uckert K, Williford K. 

  5. The Nature of Igneous Olivine Cumulate Rocks in Jezero Crater, Mars (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023). Liu Y, Allwood AC, Treiman AH, Schmidt ME, Asimow PD, Beyssac O, Herd CDK, Clark BC, Wadhwa M, Brown A, Kizovski TV, Henneke J, Pedersen DAK, VanBommel SJ, Tice MM, Jones MWM, Hurowitz JA, Hernandez-Montenegro JD, Knight AL, Sharma S. 

  6. Martian Ferromagnetic Phases Identified by the Perseverance Rover and Implications for Laboratory Analyses of Returned Samples (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023). Mansbach EN, Kizovski TV, Mandon L, Scheller EL, Wiens RC, Herd CDK, Sharma S, Weiss BP.

  7. Deep UV Raman Spectroscopy of Organic Carbon: Implications for SHERLOC Observations on Mars (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023).  Murphy AE, Sharma S, Razzell Hollis J, Steele A, Bhartia R, Jakubek RS, Fries MD, Abbey WJ, Minitti ME, Beegle LW, Yingst RA. 

  8. Detecting Pigments As Potential Biosignatures With Deep UV Raman Spectroscopy (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023, #2666). Sharma S, Lee C, Malaska M, Fayolle E, Vu T, Bhartia R. 

  9. Laboratory Investigations Of Spectroscopic Features For Organo-Sulfate Complexes To Support Organics Identification In The Samples Analyzed By The Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover And Inspect The Astrobiological Relevance Of The Samples To Be Returned To Earth (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023). Fornaro T, Brucato JR, Poggiali G, Alberini A, Florentino CG, Jakubek RS, Fries M, Sharma S, Murphy AE, Coloma L, Aramendia J, Madariaga JM, Steele A, Siljestrom S, Czaja AD, Bhartia R, Ollila A, Clegg S, Lopez-Reyes G, Manrique JA, Beyssac O, Bernard S, Clave E, Wiens R. 

  10. Statistical Classification Of Biosignature Information: Improving Life-Detection Confidence Using Machine Learning (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023). Shahid A, Sheng T, Sharma S, Murray J, Mishra A, Czaplinski E, Furlong M, Gentry D. 

  11. Analysis of Co-located SuperCam and SHERLOC Observations on Abrasion Patches in Jezero Crater (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2023). Connell SA, Wiens RC, Cardarelli EL, Deen R, Mandon L, Sharma S, Beyssac O, Clave E, Pilleri P, Gasnault O, Maruice S, Hand K, and the SuperCam team. 

  12. A varnish-like high-manganese rock coating in Jezero crater, Mars (European Geophysical Union 2023). Lanza L, Gasda P, Ollila A, Chide B, Garczynski B, Johnson J, Fischer W, Treiman A, Williams A, VanBommel S, Knight A, Hurowitz J, Sharma S, Kalucha H, Benzerara K, Clave E, Mandon L, Wiens R, Maurice S, Clegg S. 

  13. Detectability of Aromatic Organics in Sulfates by the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover (Italian National Congress on Planetary Sciences 2023). Fornaro T, Brucato JR, Poggiali G, Alberini A, Florentino CG, Jakubek RS, Fries M, Sharma S, Murphy AE, Coloma L, Aramendia J, Madariaga JM, Steele A, Siljestrom S, Czaja AD, Bhartia R, Ollila A, Clegg S, Lopez-Reyes G, Manrique JA, Beyssac O, Bernard S, Clave E, Wiens R. 

  14. Mapping Organic-Mineral Associations in the Jezero crater floor (American Geophysical Union 2022). Sharma S*, Roppel RD*, Murphy A, Beegle LW, Bhartia R, Steele A, Razzell Hollis J, Siljestrom S, McCubbin FM, Asher SA, Abbey WJ, Allwood AC, Berger EL, Bleefeld BL, Burton AS, Bykov SV, Cardarelli EL, Conrad PG, Corpolongo A, Czaja AD, DeFlores LP, Edgett K, Farley KA, Fornaro T, Fox AC, Fries MD, Harker D, Hickman-Lewis K, Huggett J, Imbeah S, Jakubek RS, Kah LC, Lee C, Liu Y, Magee A, Minitti M, Moore KR, Pascuzzo A, Rodriguez C, Scheller EL, Shkolyar S, Stack KM, Steadman K, Tuite M, Uckert K, Werynski A, Wiens RW, Williams AJ, Winchell K, Wu M, Yanchilina. 

  15. Laboratory Analog Experiments to Support Detection of Organics by the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover (American Geophysical Union 2022). Fornaro T, Brucato JR, Poggiali G, Alberini A, Florentino CG, Jakubek RS, Fries M, Sharma S, Murphy AE, Coloma L, Aramendia J, Madariaga JM, Steele A, Siljestrom S, Czaja AD, Bhartia R, Ollila A, Clegg S, Lopez-Reyes G, Manrique JA, Beyssac O, Bernard S, Wiens R. 

  16. SHERLOC Raman Mineral Detections of the Mars 2020 Crater Floor Campaign (American Geophysical Union 2022). Corpolongo A*, Jakubek RS*, Abbey W, Asher S, Baker D, Beegle LW, Berger EL, Bhartia R, Brown A, Burton A, Bykov S, Cardarelli E, Cloutis E, Conrad P, Czaja AD, DeFlores L, Flannery D, Fornaro T, Fox A, Fries M, Haney N, Hickman-Lewis K, Lee C, McCubbin FM, Minitti M, Morris R, Roppel R, Scheller EL, Sharma S, Shkolyar S, Siljestrom S, Steadman K, Steele A, Uckert K, Wogsland B, Yanchilina A.

  17. Detecting Pigments with UV Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopy (Gordon Research Conference Geobiology 2022). Sharma S, Lee C, Malaska M, Bhartia R. 

  18. 400 Sols of Raman on Mars (GeoRaman 2022). Sharma S, Beegle LW, Uckert K, DeFlores L, Bhartia R, Corpolongo A, Czaja A, Jakubek RS, Fries MD, Roppel RD, Asher SA, Bykov S, and the SHERLOC Science Team. 

  19. SHERLOC: Results of the first 350 sols of operations (COSPAR 2022). Beegle LW, Bhartia R, DeFlores L, Abbey W, Asher S, Berger EL, Bykov S, Burton A, Cardarelli E, Clegg S, Conrad P, Czaja AD, Edgett KS, Ehlmann B, Fairen AG, Fox A, Fries M, Kah L, Kennedy MR, Lee C, Minitti M, Murphy AE, Razzell Hollis J, Roppel R, Scheller EL, Sharma S, Siljeström S, Smith C, Sobron P, Steele A, Uckert K, Wiens R, Williford K, Wogsland B, Yanchilina A, Yingst RA and the SHERLOC Team. 

  20. Collecting Samples from the Maaz Formation of Jezero Crater with the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover (COSPAR 2022). Simon JI, Amundsen HEF, Beegle LW, Bell J, Benison KC, Berger EL, Bosak T, Casademont TM, Czaja AD, Cohen BA, Debaille V, Fairen AG, Farley KA, Fox AC, Goreva Y, Hand K, Hamran SE, Haurath EM, Herd CDK, Horgan B, Hurowitz J, Lee CH, Mandon L, Maurice S, Madariaga JM, Mayhew LE, McLennan S, Moeller RC, Scheller EL, Sharma S, Siljestrom S, Sun VA, Shuster DL, Stack KM, Udry A, VanBommel S, Wadhwa M, Weiss BP, Wiens R, Williams A, Willis PA, Zorzano MP, and the Mars 2020 Team. 

  21. On the hunt for Biosignatures in Jezero Crater: What to Look For and Where (Astrobiology Science Conference 2022). Sharma S, Czaja A, Corpolongo A, Beegle L, Berger E, Steele A, Conrad P, Bhartia P, and the Mars 2020 Science Team. 

  22. Algorithmic Classification of Raman Spectra Biosignatures: Improving Life Detection Confidence (Astrobiology Science Conference 2022). Sheng T, Mishra A, Murray JB, Sharma S, Gentry D. 

  23. Using SHERLOC to Assess Biosignature Preservation Potential within the Cf-f1 Unit (Astrobiology Science Conference 2022). Cardarelli EL, Sharma S, Murphy A, Tarnas J, Lee C, Beegle L, and the Mars 2020 Science Team. 

  24. Past and Potential Future Sampling of the Crater Floor Fractured Rough Unit by the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2022, #1294). Simon JI, Amundsen HEF, Beegle LW, Bell J, Benison KC, Berger EL, Bosak T, Casademont TM, Czaja AD, Cohen BA, Debaille VC, Fairen AG, Farley KA, Fox AC, Goreva Y, Hand K, Hamran SE, Hausrath L, Herd C, Horgan B, Hurowitz J, Lee CH, Mandon L, Sylvestre M, Mayhew LE, McLennan S, Moeller RC, Scheller EL, Sharma S, Siljeström S, Sun LV, Shuster DL, Stack KM, Udry A, VanBommel S, Weiss BP, Wiens R, Willis PA, Zorzano MP, and the Mars 2020 Team. 

  25. Aqueous Alteration Processes and Implications for Organic Geochemistry in Jezero Crater, Mars, as Observed with Perseverance’s SHERLOC Instrument (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2022, #1652). Scheller EL, Razzell Hollis J, Cardarelli EL, Steele A, Beegle LW, Bhartia R, Conrad P, Uckert K, Sharma S, Berger EL, Burton AS, Ehlmann BL, Fornaro T, Fries M, Kah L, Kizovski T, McCubbin FM, Moore K, Roppel R, Siljeström S, Wogsland B, and the SHERLOC Team. 

  26. Determining PIXL, SHERLOC, and SuperCam’s Ability to Identify Dolomite Phases and Potential Biosignatures in Cambrian Microbialites (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2022, #2204).  Murphy AE, Glamoclija M, Blake D, Sharma S, Beegle LW, Sobron P, Simon K, Yingst RA. 

  27. Detections and Initial Interpretations of Amorphous Silicates in Jezero Crater, Mars (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2022, #2901). Smith RJ, Moore KR, Razzell Hollis J, Sharma S, Cardarelli EL, Scheller E, Tice M, Tosca N, Liu Y, Steele A. 

  28. The First 300 Sols of the SHERLOC Investigation on the Mars 2020 Rover (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2022, #2154). Murphy AM, Beegle LW, Bhartia R, DeFlores L, Abbey W, Razzell Hollis J, Asher S, Berger E, Bykov S, Burton A, Fox A, Fries M, Conrad P, Clegg S, Edgett KS, Ehlmann B, Kah L, Lee C, Minitti M, Roppel R, Sharma S, Siljeström S, Smith C, Sobron P, Steele A, Wiens R, Williford K, Wogsland B, Kennedy MR, Yingst RA.

  29. Sampling Potential Biosignatures with the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover (Geological Society of America North Central Southeast Joint Section Meeting 2022). Czaja AD, Sharma S, Allwood A, Benison KC, Corpolongo A, Gomez F, Mayhew LE, Sephton M, Siljeström S, Williams A. https://doi.org/10.1130/abs/2022NC-375223.

  30. Substrate-mediated Colloidal Assembly for Templating Bio-inspired Structural Color (Materials Research Society 2022). Datta BCD, Sharma S, Oxman N, Ortiz C. 

  31. Classifying Agnostic Biosignatures using Raman, VNIR, and Elemental Data (American Geophysical Union Conference 2021). Mishra A, Sheng T, Vilutis A, Tomko P, Furlong M, Murray J, Sharma S, Gentry D.  

  32. Towards Automated Data Correlation for SHERLOC on Mars 2020 (JPL Postdoc Research Day 2021). Sharma S, Edgett KS, Bhartia R, Uckert K, Beegle L, and the SHERLOC Team. 

  33. Algorithmic Classification of Raman Spectra Biosignatures: Improving Life Detection Confidence (American Society for Gravitational and Space Research 2021). Sheng T, Mishra A, Murray JB, Sharma S, Gentry D. 

  34. Substrate-Mediated Colloidal Assembly for Templating Structural Color (Living Light 2021). Datta B, Sharma S, Oxman N, Ortiz C.

  35. Architected Materials – Additive Manufacturing of Complex Structures at Scale (MRS Congress Fall 2021). Ou J, Ouyang L, Sharma S, Chu A. SF02: Additive Manufacturing – From  Material Design to Emerging Applications.

  36. Machine Learning for Generation of Biochemical Signatures (Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 2021). S. Sharma. 

  37. Revisiting Pigmentation as a Biomarker and Biosignature for Extraterrestrial Life (American Geophysical Union Conference 2020). S. Sharma. 

  38. Substrate-Mediated Colloidal Assembly for Templating Tunable Structural Color (Materials Research Society Oral Presentation Fall Conference 2020). B. C. Datta, S. Sharma, N. Oxman, C. Ortiz.

  39. Revisiting Pigmentation as a Biosignature for Extraterrestrial Life (European Astrobiology Network Association Conference 2020). S. Sharma. 

  40. Possibilities for Tunable Structural Color (Living Light Conference 2020). B. Datta, S. Sharma, C. Ortiz. 

  41. Synthesizing Tunable Artificial Color: A Combined Approach (Materials Research Society Oral Presentation Fall 2019). S. Sharma, B. C. Datta, V. M. Bove, N. Oxman. 

  42. Continuous Gradation of Multi-Material Biopolymer Hydrogels (Materials Research Society Poster Fall 2019). N. A. Lee, R. E. Weber, J. H. Kennedy, S. Sharma, J. Duro-Royo, N. Oxman. 

  43. Tunable Melanogenesis in Biopolymer Materials Enabled by Self-Assembling Monolayers (International Society for Biofabrication Conference 2018). J. Van Zak, R. Soo Hoo Smith, S. Sharma, C. Bader, J. Faraguna, N. Oxman.

  44. Mechanosensitive Cell Behavior on Electrorheological Substrates (Materials Research Society Oral Presentation Spring 2017). B. Datta*, S. Sharma*, V. M. Bove, N. Oxman. (*co-first author)

  45. Data-Driven Material Modeling for 3D Printing of Materially Heterogeneous Objects (Biofabrication Poster 2016). C. Bader, D. Kolb, J. Weaver, S. Sharma, R. Smith, J. Van Zak, W. Patrick, S. Hays, S. Keating, D. Dikovsky, B. Belocon, P. Silver, N. Oxman. 

  46. Time course of subthreshold activity preceding spike generation in awake behaving mouse hippocampus (Society for Neuroscience Poster 2014). A.C. Singer, G.T. Franzesi, S. Kodandaramaiah, M. Tsitsiklis, S. Sharma, S. Batir, I.R. Wickersham, G.B. Holst, C.R. Forest, C. Borgers, N.J. Kopell, E.S. Boyden. 

  47. Automated exploration of intracellular mechanisms of in vivo neural computation (Society for Neuroscience Poster 2014). G.T. Franzesi, A.C. Singer, I. Kolb, S. Sharma, S. Kodandaramaiah, M. Tsitsiklis, I.R. Wickersham, G.B. Holst, D. Bozic, S. Batir, C.R. Forest, C. Borgers, N.J. Kopell, E.S. Boyden.

  48. Beyond the single cycle: increased conductance as a key mechanism throughout the theta state (Cognitive Rhythms Collaborative Dynamics and Cognition Meeting Poster 2014). G.T. Franzesi, A.C. Singer, S.B. Kodandaramaiah, I.R. Wickersham, M. Tsitsiklis, D. Bozic, S. Sharma, S. Batir, N. Pak, G. Holst, D. Aronov, D. Tank, N.J. Kopell, C. Borgers, E.S. Boyden. 

  49. Awake Autopatching: automatic whole cell patch clamp of hippocampal neurons in awake behaving animals (Society for Neuroscience Poster 2013). A.C. Singer, G.T. Franzesi, S. Kodandaramaiah, I. Wickersham, S. Sharma, S. Batir, N. Pak, G. Holst, C. Forest, C. Borgers, N.J. Kopell, E.S. Boyden.

  50. Awake Autopatching: automatic whole cell patch clamping of neurons in awake behaving animals (Cognitive Rhythms Collaborative Dynamics and Cognition Meeting Poster 2013). G.T. Franzesi, A.C. Singer, S.B. Kodandaramaiah, I.R. Wickersham, S. Sharma, S. Batir, N. Pak, G. Holst, C.R. Forest, N.J. Kopell, E.S. Boyden. 

Patents

Methods and Apparatus for 3D-Printing of Multi-Material Parts for Graded Chemical Diffusion for Control of Biological Activity. Published September 12, 2019 (MIT 20364T). Provisional Patent Number 62418568 2016, Pending non-provisional patent. C. Bader, R. Smith, S. Sharma, D. Kolb, N. Oxman. 

Book Sections and Contributions

  1. “Radiofungi”, “ZG Stardust”, Into the Anthropocosmos. MIT Press. Edited by A. Ekblaw. 2022.

  2. “The Colors of Life / Farben des Lebens (Book Section)”. Engage with Fungi. TU Berlin University. Edited by V. Meyer and S. Pfeiffer. 2022.


Missions & Launches 

  1. Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, 2021-present - science team, working group lead

  2. MicroPET: Investigating Microbial and Enzymatic Plastic Degradation in Spaceflight, NG17, Tentative: 30 Day Low Earth Orbit on ISS, 2022-2023 – supporting biologist / integrator

  3. Biological Pigments for Space Radiation Protection (Radiofungi), SpaceX Dragon CRS20, Cape Canaveral US: 30 Day Low Earth Orbit on ISS, 2020 – co-Investigator

  4. ZG Stardust, Zero Gravity Parabolic Flight, Portsmouth US: Parabolic Flight, 2019 – co-Investigator

  5. Maiden Flight, Blue Origin New Shepard, El Paso US: Sub-orbital Flight, 2019 – supporting biologist

Skills and Training

Organisms and Cells: C. cubana, H. lacusprofundi, H. salinarum NRC-1, E. coli, B. subtilis, A. niger, N. crassa, X. dendrorhous, R. etli, S. elongatus, B. mori, A. mellifera, P. polycephalum, HEK93, P. fusiformis

Biological: General microbiology, histology, DNA/RNA/protein purification, cloning, PCR, primer construction, flow cytometry, cell culture, synthetic biology techniques, DNA & RNA FISH, general mycology, radiation biological experimentation, biodesign prototyping, biofabrication, biological 3D printing

Chemistry: Biochemical assays, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy (visible and Deep UV), angular spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy

Materials Science: Rheometry, viscometry, profilometry, angle-resolved spectroscopy, AFM, biomaterials fabrication, analysis of VIS-NIR-SWIR spectral reflectance datasets  

Imaging: Widefield, fluorescence, confocal, and scanning electron microscopy, scientific photography, optical microscope maintenance

Fabrication: 3D printing (Polyjet, FDM, SLA), acrylic finishing, milling, laser cutting, general shop tools

Programming: MATLAB, Python, computer vision for deconvolution, image stacking, object counting and tracking, automated phenotyping, and spectral analysis, Unity for VR behavioral assays

Applications: Adobe CC, MS Office, ImageJ/Fiji, Autodesk Fusion, PyMOL, ArcGIS/QGIS, LabView, Procreate, Igor64, Origin, Blender, Horiba LabSpec

Communication: Grant writing, public speaking, documentation (photography & video)

Scientific Management: Biological laboratory design and management, Environmental Health & Safety officer

Animal Models: Small rodent handling and behavioral training, murine craniotomy, virus injection, implant and optic fiber creation, optogenetics, perfusion, electroporation, microdissection

Insect Models: Insect handling, pinning, sericulture, apiculture, histology, real-time tracking, video tracking and behavioral analysis

Languages: English (native), Hindi (heritage), German (intermediate), Latin (advanced beginner), French (basic)

Guest Lectures and Other Teaching

  1. Invited Lecturer and Jury Member, “Towards Living Material Architectures”, ARCH 732-008 Inquiry into Biological Material Architectures, University of Pennsylvania, February 2023 

  2. Invited Lecturer, “Designing the Organism-Environment Relationship”, Active Matter Studio Section, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley US, October 2022

  3. Invited Lecturer, “Designing the Organism-Environment Relationship”, “Meet a Designer” Seminar, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia US, October 2022

  4. Invited Lecturer, “Towards Living Material Architectures”, ARCH 732-008 Inquiry into Biological Material Architectures, University of Pennsylvania, October 2022 

  5. Invited Lecturer, “Towards Living Material Architectures”, ARCH 732-008 Inquiry into Biological Material Architectures, University of Pennsylvania, February 2022

  6. Invited Lecturer and Expert Consultant, “Designing the Organism-Environment Relationship”, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, February 2022

  7. Invited Speaker, Sympoiesis Seminar, Urbonas Studio, December 2021

  8. Invited Lecturer, “Designing the Organism-Environment Relationship”, “Meet a Designer” Seminar, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia US, October 2021

  9. Invited Lecturer, “Designing the Organism-Environment Relationship”, Mutual Affairs, Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design, Halle DE, October 2021 

  10. Invited Lecturer and Jury Member, “Towards Living Material Architectures”, ARCH 732-008 Inquiry into Biological Material Architectures, University of Pennsylvania, March 2021 

  11. Invited Speaker, Sympoiesis Seminar, Urbonas Studio, November 2020

  12. Invited Lecturer, “Experimentation in Space”, Zero Gravity Flight Course, MIT Media Lab, October 2020

  13. Invited Lecturer, SciFab Workshop, Cambridge US, September 2015

Elementary/Middle: DebateMate Mentor (2015), Summer Science Series at the Esplanade (2015)

Adult: DMM Eikaiwa English Teacher (2014-2015)

Mentorship

During my postdoc at JPL, I served as co-mentor for graduate (MS) student S. Ireland focusing on deep UV Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy of Martian meteorites in support of the Mars 2020 mission. 

During my graduate studies, I formally mentored or co-mentored six undergraduate research interns. I also served as teaching assistant for classes for 6 graduate courses focused on lab biology and biodesign. I also provided academic support and mentorship to five master’s students and two PhD students. 

Undergraduates Advised and Co-advised

S. Wilson (2019 – 2020)

S. Vasikaran (2019-2020)

J. Faraguna (2018 – 2019)

O. Omotunde (2018)

J. Xu (2018)

A. Pena-Alcantara (2017)

Activities and Service

Academic Memberships

  • NASA Network FOr Life Detection (2021)

  • American Geophysical Union (2020)

  • Plantae (2020)

  • WISDM MIT (2020)

  • Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology (2019)

  • Microscopy Society of America (2018)

  • MIT Arts Scholars (2017)

  • American Association for the Advancement of Science (2017)

  • Materials Research Society (2016)

  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (2016)

  • International Society for Artificial Life (2016)

  • Society for Neuroscience (2014)

Academic Peer Reviewer: 

  • npj Microgravity (Nature Portfolio Journals)

  • Technology, Architecture and Design (Taylor & Francis)

  • MIT Science Policy Review

Workshops & Courses: 

  • MIT Spark 207 NSF iCORPS Program

  • MIT Venture Exploration Program

  • American Geophysical Union Mentorship Program 2021

  • MIT DesignX Bootcamp 2020

  • MIT Path of Professorship 2019

  • NASA-ESA Astrobiology Summer School 2019

  • IEEE Women in Engineering Forum 2017

Conference and Session Organization: 

  • American Astronomical Society (AAS) 2023: Intergalactic Medium at Radio and Millimeter Wavelengths (session chair)

  • Goldschmidt 2023: Biosignature Diversity, Preservation, and Detection through Geologic Time (session co-convener)

  • From 2019-2022, I have been involved in the organization and hosting of the MIT Space Exploration Initiative’s annual conference, Beyond the Cradle, which unites leaders and visionaries from across space research, industry, and arts from around the world for a multi-day event. Each year, I moderated a panel on “Life in Space” that focuses on different perspectives in space biology and astrobiology.

Service and Outreach: 

  • Explore JPL 2023

  • JPL Internal Workshop Division 32 / 38 Session Leader, Geobiology 2023

  • JPL Internal SBIR Grant Reviewer 2023

  • JPL Mars 2020 Science Outreach at the Exploratorium San Francisco CA 2022 

  • Biodesign Challenge Expert Consultant 2022

  • MIT Educational Counselor 2021-present

  • Intel Society for Science Alumni Classroom Volunteer 2021

  • MIT Media Lab Outreach including demonstrations and tours of department for school groups, individuals, and visiting researchers, 2014-2020

  • MIT Students Offering Support program, 2014-2020


Honors and Awards 

Individual

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Seal of Excellence for Project 101032466, COLORSIGNS (2021)

MIT Graduate Woman of Excellence (2017)

Materials Research Society Travel Award (2017)

MIT Media Lab Departmental Advisory Committee and Funding Award (2016)

MIT Undergraduate Research Award (2014)

Intel National Science Talent Search finalist, USA (2010)

National Merit Scholar, USA (2010)

As Part of a Team

Mars 2020 JPL Excellence Award for SHERLOC Operations Team (2023)

Fast Company Innovation by Design Sustainability Finalist (2020)

Fast Company Innovation by Design Experimental Finalist (2020)

STARTS Prize Nomination (2020)

Fast Company World Changing Ideas Art & Design Winner (2020)

Fast Company World Changing Ideas Art & Design Finalist (2020)

Dezeen Awards Sustainable Design Winner (2019)

Dezeen Awards Design of the Year Winner (2019)

Dezeen Awards Installation Design Longlist (2019)

Emerging Voices (2015)

Invited Talks

  1. Invited Speaker, Von Karman Lecture Series, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, February 2023 

  2. Invited Talk, Mars Habitability Session, American Astronomical Society Meeting, January 2023 

  3. Invited Talk, “Mapping Organic-Mineral Associations in Jezero Crater”, Perseverance Findings Session, American Geophysical Union Meeting, December 2022 

  4. Invited Speaker, Biodesign Challenge Summit, June 2022 

  5. Panel Moderator, “Life in Space and Earth,” Beyond the Cradle MIT Space Initiative Conference Panel, Cambridge US, April 2022 

  6. Invited Speaker, “Searching for Organics in Jezero Crater with SHERLOC,” Science Visitor and Colloquium Program (Planetary Science), Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena US, April 2022 

  7. Invited Speaker, “Searching for Organics in Jezero Crater with SHERLOC,” Planetary Science and Astrobiology Seminar Series, Georgia Tech, Atlanta US, April 2022 

  8. Invited Speaker, “My Journey to NASA” and “Rover Round Up,” First Anniversary of Landing Event for Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover, Exploratorium, San Francisco US, February 2022 

  9. Invited Speaker, “The Colors of Microlife: Exploring Color as a Path to Human Empathy for Microorganisms,” SynBioArt Session, German Conference for Synthetic Biology, Berlin DE, September 2021

  10. Panel Moderator, “Life in Space,” Beyond the Cradle MIT Space Initiative Conference Panel, Cambridge US, April 2021 

  11. Co-Presenter, “Statistical Classification of Biosignature Information,” Collaborative Biosciences Seminar, NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View US, April 2021

  12. Invited Speaker, MIT Abstracts Series, MIT Curiosity Correspondents and Nord Anglia Education, December 2020 

  13. Invited Keynote, “Interdisciplinary Innovation,” Pune Connected, HSBC Innovation Week, July 2020

  14. Invited Speaker and Demonstration, “SEM Small Talks,” MIT Museum, Cambridge US, December 2019

  15. Invited Speaker, “Mediated Matter Group,” MIT Media Lab Spring Members Week, Cambridge US, April 2019

  16. Panel Moderator, “Life in Space,” Beyond the Cradle MIT Space Initiative Conference Panel, Cambridge US, March 2019 

  17. Panelist, “2018 National Design Awards Materials & Technology,” Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Award Event, Boston US, November 2018

  18. Invited Speaker, “Wearable Ecology,” Myntra & Jabong Annual Summit, Bangalore India, November 2017

  19. Panelist, “International Women’s Day Discussion,” Facebook Live @ MIT Media Lab, Cambridge US, March 2017

  20. Panelist, “Generation Elsewhere,” DeVos Institute Debate, Cambridge US, December 2016

  21. Invited Presenter, World Economic Forum CEO Workshop, Cambridge US, November 2016

  22. Invited Speaker, “Biohybrid Wearables,” Digital Garage New Context Conference, San Francisco US, November 2016

  23. Invited Presenter, SXSW interactive, Austin US, March 2015

Exhibitions and Collections 

  1. Totems, Permanent Collection, Centre Pompidou, Paris FR (2022)

  2. Silk II, Vespers, Totems, Aguahoja, Synthetic Apiary II, Maiden Flight, “NATURE X HUMANITY”, San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, San Francisco US (2022)

  3. Colors of Life I (Video), in collaboration with Vera Meyer/ V.meer, tinyBE (2021)

  4. Farben des Lebens I (Video), in collaboration with Vera Meyer / V.meer, tinyBE (2021)

  5. Totems, “Sun Rise Sun Set”, Schinkel Pavillon, Berlin DE (2021)

  6. Radiofungi, Maiden Flight, ZG Stardust, “Space Has Arrived (MIT Space Exploration Initiative)”, Ars Electronica, Virtual (2020)

  7. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “Beyond the Horizon: Designs for Different Futures”, Walker Art Center, Minneapolis US (2020)

  8. Silk II, Vespers, Totems, Aguahoja, Making Data Matter, “Neri Oxman: Material Ecology”, Museum of Modern Art, New York US (2020)

  9. Vespers, “AI Exhibition”, Groninger Forum, Groninger NL (2019)

  10. Work of Neri Oxman and The Mediated Matter Group, “The Future of Arts”, Mori Art Museum (2019)

  11. Vespers, “Design for Different Futures”, Philadelphia Museum of Art/Walker Art Center/SAI Chicago, US (2019)

  12. Vespers, “Exhibition Body Control”, Museum Arnhem, Arnhem NL (2019)

  13. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “Far Out: Suits, Habs, and Labs for Outer Space”, SFMOMA (2019)

  14. Aguahoja II Pavilion and Wall, “Nature”, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, New York US (2019)

  15. Aguahoja Wall, “Nature”, Cube Design Museum, Kerkrade NL (2019)

  16. Vespers, “AI: More than Human”, Barbican, London UK (2019)

  17. Synthetic Apiary, “AI: More than Human”, Barbican, London UK (2019)

  18. Totems, “Broken Nature”, XXII Triennale, Milan IT (2019)

  19. Vespers, “Smart City: People, Technology, and Materials”, Milan Design Week, Milan IT (2019)

  20. Aguahoja Wall, “La Fabrique du Vivant”, Centre Pompidou, Paris FR (2019)

  21. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “The Moon”, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Humlebaek DK (2018)

  22. Vespers: A Collection of Death Masks, “Beijing Media Art Biennale: Post Life”, China Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing CN (2018)

  23. Aguahoja Panels, “Cultural Programs”, National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC US (2018)

  24. Vespers: A Collection of Death Masks, “NGV Triennial”, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne AU (2017)

  25. Synthetic Apiary, “Alienation: Momentum 9”, The Nordic Biennial for contemporary Art, Moss NO (2017)

  26. Vespers : A Collection of Death Masks, "Imprimer le monde", Centre Georges Pompidou, Paris FR (2017)

  27. Wanderers : An Astrobiological Exploration, ArtScience Museum, Singapore SG (2017)

  28. Vespers, “&Design”, Tribeca Film Festival, New York US (2018)

  29. Aguahoja I, Media Lab, Cambridge US (2018)

  30. Vespers: A Collection of Death Masks, “Fear and Love”, Design Museum, London UK (2016)

  31. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “Beauty: National Design Triennial”, San Jose Museum of Art, New York US (2016)

  32. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “The Universe and Art: Princess Kaguya, Leonardo da Vinci, Team Lab”, Mori Art Museum, New York US (2016)

  33. Water-based Digital Fabrication, BOZAR Electronic Art Festival, Brussels BE (2016)

  34. Water-based Digital Fabrication, Ars Electronica Festival POSTCITY, Linz AT (2016)

  35. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “Beauty: National Design Triennial”, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum, New York US (2016)

  36. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “Exo-Evolution”, ZKM Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe DE (2015)

  37. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “Domestic Futures”, National Design Museum, Stockholm SE (2015)

  38. Wanderers: An Astrobiological Exploration, “The Sixth Element: Unveiling the Natural Beauty of 3D Printing”, EuroMold, Frankfurt DE (2014)

  39. Ocean Pavilion, Media Lab, Cambridge US (2014)

Media

  1. NHK, feature on Mars 2020, February 2023

  2. Nature, “NASA’s Mars rover makes ‘fantastic’ find in search for past life,” by Alexandra Witze. September 16, 2022. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-02968-2. 

  3. CNN, “Perseverance rover finds organic matter 'treasure' on Mars,” by Ashley Strickland. September 16, 2022. https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/15/world/perseverance-rover-mars-images-scn/index.html. 

  4. Phys.org, “Did life ever exist on Mars? NASA's Perseverance rover finds organic matter in rock samples,” by Wyatte Grantham-Philips. September 16, 2022. https://phys.org/news/2022-09-life-mars-nasa-perseverance-rover.html. 

  5. Space.com, “Watch NASA's Mars Perseverance rover scientists discuss its first 18 months on Red Planet,” by Elizabeth Howell. September 15, 2022. https://www.space.com/perseverance-rover-mars-18-months-watch-live. 

  6. Science Alert, “NASA Breakthrough as Rover Finds Strong Signal of Organic Matter on Mars,” by Nancy Atkins. September 16, 2022. https://www.sciencealert.com/nasa-breakthrough-as-rover-finds-strong-signal-of-organic-matter-on-mars. 

  7. Yahoo News, “'Tantalizing' Mars rock samples collected by Perseverance rover,” by Denise Chow. September 15, 2022. https://www.yahoo.com/news/tantalizing-mars-rock-samples-collected-214835270.html. 

  8. USA Today, “Did life ever exist on Mars? NASA's Perseverance rover finds organic matter in rock samples,” by Wyatte Grantham-Philips. September 16, 2022. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/09/16/nasa-perseverance-rover-organic-matter-mars/10395641002/. 

  9. KNX Radio, “ Life on Mars? Scientists make big discovery,”. September 16, 2022. https://omny.fm/shows/knxam-on-demand/life-on-mars-scientists-make-big-discovery. 

  10. Frankfurter Rundschau, “Mars: Nasa-Rover macht entscheidenden Fund – „Mit den richtigen Werkzeugen am richtigen Ort,” by Tanja Banner. September 16, 2022. https://www.fr.de/wissen/mars-nasa-rover-perseverance-macht-entscheidenden-fund-organisches-material-wasser-delta-91792241.html. 

  11. Washington Times, “NASA Rover discovery suggests life could have survived on Mars,” by Brad Matthews. September 16, 2022. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/sep/16/nasa-rover-discovery-suggests-life-could-have-surv/. 

  12. Vice, “NASA Has Found Ingredients for Life in ‘Every Target That We've Observed’ on Mars,” by Becky Ferreira. September 16, 2022. https://www.vice.com/en/article/y3pnbv/nasa-has-found-ingredients-for-life-in-every-target-that-weve-observed-on-mars. 

  13. CNET, “Mars Perseverance Rover Finds Organic Matter in Rock,” by Amanda Kooser. September 16, 2022. https://www.cnet.com/science/space/mars-perseverance-rover-finds-organic-matter-in-rock/. 

  14. Daily Mail / MSN, “NASA's Perseverance rover finds organic matter 'treasure' on Mars,” by Sam Tonkin. September 16, 2022. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nasa-s-perseverance-rover-finds-organic-matter-treasure-on-mars/ar-AA11TZfg?li=BBnbcA1. 

  15. New York Times, “Life on Mars? This could be the place NASA’s Rover helps us find it.” September 15, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/science/mars-perseverance-rover-life.html. 

  16. Pasadena Star News, “Perseverance rover finds strong clues in ‘treasure hunt’ for life on Mars.” September 15, 2022. https://www.pasadenastarnews.com/2022/09/15/nasas-mars-rover-is-rocking-it-say-jpl-caltech-officials/. 

  17. NASA TV, “NASA to Host Briefing on Perseverance Mars Rover Mission Operations.” September 12, 2022. https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-host-briefing-on-perseverance-mars-rover-mission-operations. 

  18. JPL Website Images, “SHERLOC’s View of Garde.” December 16, 2021. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia25043-sherlocs-view-of-garde. 

  19. JPL Website Images, “SHERLOC’s View of Organics Within Garde Abrasion Patch.” December 16, 2021. https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia25042-sherlocs-view-of-organics-within-garde-abrasion-patch. 

  20. Biomed Central Blog Network, “Mushrooms as drivers for circular economy?” by Kustrim Cerimi. July 9, 2021. http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-biology/2021/07/09/mushrooms-as-drivers-for-circular-economy/. 

  21. MIT News, “Five MIT payloads deployed on the International Space Station,” by Janine Liberty. March 25, 2020. https://news.mit.edu/2020/five-mit-payloads-deployed-international-space-station-0325.

  22. Architect Magazine, “This Week in Tech: 3D Printing with Microbes by Neri Oxman at the MIT Media Lab,” by Wanda Lau. February 7, 2020. https://www.architectmagazine.com/technology/this-week-in-tech-3d-printing-with-microbes-by-neri-oxman-at-mit-media-lab_o. 

  23. 3D Printing Industry, “Researchers develop hybrid living materials using inkjet 3D printing,” by Tia Vialva. January 27, 2020. https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/researchers-develop-hybrid-living-materials-using-inkjet-3d-printing-167762. 

  24. MIT News, “Printing objects that can incorporate living organisms,” by David L. Chandler. January 23, 2020. https://news.mit.edu/2020/3-d-bioprinting-living-materials-0123.   

  25. Dezeen, “Aguahoja I by Mediated Matter Group is a robotically fabricated structure made of organic matter,” by Olivia Ladanyi. October 17, 2019. https://www.dezeen.com/2019/10/17/aguahoja-i-mediated-matter-group-design. 

  26. Netflix, “Neri Oxman: Bio-Architecture,” Abstract: The Art of Design, season 2, episode 2, created by Scott Dadich. September 25, 2019. https://www.netflix.com/title/80057883.

  27. Design Boom, “Mediated Matter Group’s melanin research results in proposal for responsive glass pavilion,” by Philip Stevens. April 15, 2019. https://www.designboom.com/design/mediated-matter-group-melanin-research-glass-pavilion-neri-oxman-totems-04-15-2019/. 

  28. Design Boom, “Decay by design: organic matter, 3D-printed by a robot and shaped by water,” by Zach Andrews. March 29, 2019. https://www.designboom.com/technology/mit-media-lab-mediated-matter-group-aguahoja-pavilion-03-28-2019. 

  29. Forbes, “Move Over Pixels, Scientists are 3D Printing with ‘Voxels’ and The Results Are Breathtaking,” by Fiona McMillan. June 15, 2018. https://www.forbes.com/sites/fionamcmillan/2018/06/15/move-over-pixels-scientists-are-3d-printing-with-voxels-and-the-results-are-breathtaking/#fd3532d6485d. 

  30. 3DPrint.com, “Researchers Develop Multimaterial Voxel-3D Printing Method for More Direct Data to Object Translation,” by Sara Saunders. June 6, 2018. 3dprint.com/215938/multimaterial-voxel-3d-printing. 

  31. Dezeen, “Neri Oxman’s new death masks contain pigment-producing microorganisms,” by Ali Morris. April 26, 2018. https://www.dezeen.com/2018/04/26/neri-oxman-vespers-death-masks-pigment-producing-microorganisms/. 

  32. ArchDaily, “Neri Oxman and MIT Develop Programmable Biocomposites for Digital Fabrication,” by Yiling Shen. 2018. https://www.archdaily.com/894979/neri-oxman-and-mit-develop-programmable-biocomposites-for-digital-fabrication. 

  33. Dezeen, “Neri Oxman creates 3D-printed versions of ancient death masks,” by Alice Morby. November 29, 2016. https://www.dezeen.com/2016/11/29/neri-oxman-design-3d-printed-ancient-death-masks-vespers-collection-stratasys/. 

  34. ArchDaily, “Neri Oxman + Mediated Matter Create Synthetic Apiary to Combat Honeybee Colony Loss,” by Patrick Lynch. October 5, 2016. https://www.archdaily.com/796769/neri-oxman-plus-mediated-matter-create-synthetic-apiaries-to-combat-honeybee-colony-loss. 

  35. ArchDaily, “Neri Oxman’s “Mushtari” is a 3D Printed Wearable That Makes Products from Sunlight,” by Eric Oh. July 12, 2015. https://www.archdaily.com/769818/neri-oxmans-mushtari-is-a-3d-printed-wearable-that-makes-products-from-sunlight. 

  36. Biohacking Safari, “Sunanda Sharma (MIT Media Lab) Biomaterial & 3D Structure,” by Quitterie Largeteau. March 2015. Soundcloud.com/quitteriel/Sunanda-sharma-biomaterial-3d-structure. 

  37. Hackaday, “Mediated Matter at the MIT Media Lab,” by Aleksandar Bradic. March 27, 2015. https://hackaday.com/2015/03/27/mediated-matter-at-the-mit-media-lab/.