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Dora is majoring in Planetary Geosciences with minors in Astrobiology, Statistics and Data Science, and Leadership Studies and Practice. She chose the Astrobiology minor because of it’s interdisciplinary nature. She feels that this minor will give her the opportunity for a unique understanding about the the origins of life and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.

Dora especially enjoyed topics studied in MCB 437: Life in Extreme Environments, which covered extremophiles, planetary analogs, and biological concepts. She was encouraged by instructor Dr. Solange Duhamel to explore these topics through a final project about extremophiles that could live on Europa.

Dora plans to attend graduate school to pursue research related to Europa or Mars. She also wants to participate in fieldwork on planetary analog sites and intends to use her skills in data science when the Europa Clipper mission sends data back to Earth. Currently, Dora works as a NASA Arizona Space Grant intern advised by Dr. Sarah Sutton (LPL). Using HiRISE images and spatial visualization software (QGIS), she has located over 2,000 meter-sized, deeply shadowed pits that appear in the layered deposits of Mars’ north polar region. Dora is conducting a time series analysis of pits in specific areas to understand their possible formation mechanisms and seasonal changes. In addition to her internship, Dora also works as a student research technician making digital terrain models in the HiRISE Digital Terrain Model lab.

When Dora has some free time, she likes to play guitar, read history books, spend time with her family and friends, and participate in science outreach at local schools in Tucson.