Stefano Nerozzi

PTYS/LPL Faculty

Stefano Nerozzi (he/him/his)

Assistant Research Professor

Sonett 25

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Ph.D., 2019, The University of Texas at Austin

Years with LPL: 2020 to present

Astrobiology, Earth, Lunar Studies, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary Surfaces, Remote sensing, radar, planetary surfaces, geophysics.

I'm an Italian planetary geologist interested in surface processes and near-subsurface geology and geophysics. My main area of expertise is remote sensing with a focus on radar sounding. I study a wide variety of geological features on Mars, ranging from polar deposits to low-latitude outflow channels systems. On Earth, I study debris covered glaciers as analogs to mid-latitude glaciers on Mars via ground penetrating radar, passive seismic techniques, and thermal profilers. I have a strong interest in instrument development, which ranges from modification of commercial seismometers to the design and construction of thermal profilers and environmental sensors.

I am an Italian planetary geologist interested in surface processes and the near-subsurface geology and geophysics of planetary bodies. I use radar sounding integrated with high-resolution imagery, topography, and complementary remote sensing datasets to reconstruct stratigraphy, material properties, and surface processes. My current research focuses on Mars’ polar deposits and mid-latitude debris-covered glaciers, with the goal of understanding how ice is emplaced, modified, and preserved over geologic timescales, and what these records reveal about the evolution of the Martian cryosphere in response to climate variability.

My past postdoctoral research focused on the fluvial and volcanic history of outflow channel systems in Utopia Planitia, Mars. This work integrated several remote sensing techniques to unravel the history of landforms shaped by ancient water flows and interactions between volcanic processes and ground ice. I also worked on processing and analysis of Gamma Ray Spectrometer elemental concentration data from Mars Odyssey to reveal possible formation mechanisms of boulder halos and their spatial relationship with mapped geologic units and terrain surface composition.

A recent initiative involves establishing field laboratories of debris-covered glaciers on Mars and Earth. On Mars, I investigate their internal structure and debris properties using radar reflectivity and geomorphic mapping. On Earth, I conduct geophysical surveys using ground-penetrating radar, electromagnetic sounding, passive seismic methods, photogrammetry, and in situ thermal measurements to quantify ice content, constrain supraglacial debris properties, and assess preservation mechanisms. These studies are integrated with astrobiology sampling and analyses to evaluate the habitability potential of these environments.

I lead a diverse research group of graduate and undergraduate students engaged in data analysis, fieldwork, and instrument development. I also have interests at the intersection of planetary science and engineering, including the design and construction of tools for geophysical applications on debris covered glaciers, such as ground temperature profilers and drone-based radar and electromagnetic sounding systems.

Current Grants

External funding

  • [PI] Reconstructing the stratigraphy, composition, and climate record of the north polar basal unit, Mars, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP).
  • [PI] Unveiling the thickness and structure of the debris cover on mid-latitude martian glaciers, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program (MDAP).
  • [PI] A deep-penetrating airborne radar sounder for thickness measurements of crevassed, temperate, and polythermal ice, NASA Earth Venture Suborbital (EVS) Snow4Flow Science Team.

Internal funding

  • [PI] Polarimetric Exploration Radar Sounder Experiment for Unveiling the Subsurface (PERSEUS), University of Arizona Space Institute Seed Grant.
  • [Co-PI] Leveraging Space Science Pursuits to Support Water Resources Management in Arizona, University of Arizona TRIF WEES Resilience Theme Grant.
  • [PI] Assessing the Habitability of Martian Glacier Meltwater Environments via Terrestrial Analog Studies, University of Arizona Astrobiology Center Seed Grant.

 


 

Current Spacecraft Involvement

MRO
  • Shallow Radar (SHARAD), Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.
  • Snow4Flow.

Current Graduate Students

Student Collaborations/Advising

Graduate:

  • Roberto Aguilar

Undergraduate:

  • Jacob Taylor
  • Vincent Carter

Complete publications list available from: NASA ADS Author Search: Stefano Nerozzi

Recent refereed publications (NASA ADS): Years 2019 through 2025

Spurling, Reed, Nerozzi, Stefano, & Hamilton, Christopher W. 2025, The Planetary Science Journal. Crater-based Dating of Hebrus Valles and Hephaestus Fossae, Mars

Meng, T. M., Tober, B. S., Aguilar, R. J., Daniel, M. F., Jacobo-Bojórquez, R. A., Nerozzi, S., & Holt, J. W. 2025, Journal of Geophysical Research (Earth Surface). Effects of Rock Glacier Dynamics on Surface Morphology and Deformation

Morgan, G. A., Putzig, N. E., Baker, D. M. H., Pathare, A., Dundas, C. M., Russell, M. B., Perry, M. R., Chojnacki, M., Sizemore, H. G., Bramson, A. M., Petersen, E. I., Nerozzi, S., Hoover, R. H., & Bain, Z. 2025, The Planetary Science Journal. Refined Mapping of Subsurface Water Ice on Mars to Support Future Missions

Voigt, J. R. C., Hamilton, C. W., Steinbrügge, G., Christoffersen, M. S., Nerozzi, S., Kerber, L., Holt, J. W., & Carter, L. M. 2023, Journal of Geophysical Research (Planets). Revealing Elysium Planitia's Young Geologic History: Constraints on Lava Emplacement, Areas, and Volumes

Nerozzi, Stefano, Christoffersen, Michael S., Holt, John W., & Hamilton, Christopher W. 2023, Remote Sensing. Evidence of Widespread Volcanic Activity near Hebrus Valles on Mars Revealed by SHARAD

Putzig, Nathaniel E., Foss, Frederick J., Campbell, Bruce A., Holt, John W., Perry, Matthew R., Smith, Isaac B., Russell, Aaron T., Nerozzi, Stefano, Christoffersen, Michael S., Mueller, Isabella H., & Sava, Paul C. 2022, The Planetary Science Journal. New Views of the Internal Structure of Planum Boreum from Enhanced 3D Imaging of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Shallow Radar Data

Nerozzi, Stefano, Ortiz, Maya R., & Holt, John W. 2022, Icarus. The north polar basal unit of Mars: An Amazonian record of surface processes and climate events

Becerra, Patricio, Smith, Isaac B., Hibbard, Shannon, Andres, Chimira, Bapst, Jonathan, Bramson, Ali M., Buhler, Peter B., Coronato, Andrea, Diniega, Serina, Emmett, Jeremy, Grau Galofre, Anna, Herny, Clémence, Kahre, Melinda, Paul Knightly, J., Nerozzi, Stefano, Pascuzzo, Alyssa, Portyankina, Ganna, Rabassa, Jorge, Tamppari, Leslie K., Titus, Timothy N., Whitten, Jennifer, & Yoldi, Zuriñe 2021, The Planetary Science Journal. Past, Present, and Future of Mars Polar Science: Outcomes and Outlook from the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration

Smith, I. B., Lalich, D. E., Rezza, C., Horgan, B. H. N., Whitten, J. L., Nerozzi, S., & Holt, J. W. 2021, Geophysical Research Letters. A Solid Interpretation of Bright Radar Reflectors Under the Mars South Polar Ice

Moore, Kimberly, Courville, Samuel, Ferguson, Sierra, Schoenfeld, Ashley, Llera, Kristie, Agrawal, Rachana, Brack, Daniel, Buhler, Peter, Connour, Kyle, Czaplinski, Ellen, DeLuca, Michael, Deutsch, Ariel, Hammond, Noah, Kuettel, Donald, Marusiak, Angela, Nerozzi, Stefano, Stuart, Jeffrey, Tarnas, Jesse, Thelen, Alexander, Castillo-Rogez, Julie, Smythe, William, Landau, Damon, Mitchell, Karl, & Budney, Charles 2021, Planetary and Space Science. Bridge to the stars: A mission concept to an interstellar object

Ojha, Lujendra, Karimi, Saman, Buffo, Jacob, Nerozzi, Stefano, Holt, John W., Smrekar, Sue, & Chevrier, Vincent 2021, Geophysical Research Letters. Martian Mantle Heat Flow Estimate From the Lack of Lithospheric Flexure in the South Pole of Mars: Implications for Planetary Evolution and Basal Melting

Ojha, Lujendra, Nerozzi, Stefano, & Lewis, Kevin 2019, Geophysical Research Letters. Compositional Constraints on the North Polar Cap of Mars from Gravity and Topography

Nerozzi, S. & Holt, J. W. 2019, Geophysical Research Letters. Buried Ice and Sand Caps at the North Pole of Mars: Revealing a Record of Climate Change in the Cavi Unit With SHARAD

Nerozzi, Stefano 2019, Ph.D. Thesis. Unraveling the morphological and stratigraphic signature of global climate events within the Planum Boreum of Mars

Ongoing - Skype a Scientist 
Zoom calls with middle- and high-school students across the country presenting my personal path to become a scientist and overview of my research work.

Spring 2021 - Science mentor for 6th grade students at Sahuarita Middle School (AZ)
Weekly mentorship of 6th grade students in a science project involving the design of a habitable planet. Gave presentation on the main drivers of inner Solar System planetary evolution (e.g., habitable zone, magnetic field, plate tectonics and volcanism, biosphere).

Fall 2016 to Spring 2017 - AP Research Project Mentor
AP Research project by H. Kansara at Carnegie Vanguard High School, Houston, TX. Research topic: How Would Terraforming Mars Question Society’s Morals according to the Utilitarian Approach?

Feb 2018 - UT Science Olympiad Regional Tournament
Prepared a test on Remote Sensing and Meteorology and served as a proctor for the regional tournament at UT Austin.

 

Attachment Size
Nerozzi_CV_Apr2026.pdf 413.78 KB
Semester Course Day/Time Location Resources
Spring 2026 PTYS/GEOS 270-001 Tuesday, Thursday 12:30-1:45p.m. Kuiper 312 Syllabus
D2L

Courses taught outside PTYS

GEOS322 Introduction to Geophysics (Fall 2023)

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