group

The Exploration of Planetary Ices and Climates (EPIC) group in the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at CU Boulder investigates the atmospheres and surfaces of icy worlds using numerical models and data from spacecraft and Earth-based observatories. We are especially interested in the thermal environments and behavior of volatiles on these bodies, including the polar regions. Our quantitative approach includes the development of numerical heat, vapor, and radiative transfer models with wide applicability to problems in planetary science. Data analysis efforts focus on multi-spectral and hyper-spectral imaging for compositional studies, thermal infrared atmospheric sounding and surface mapping, and inversion techniques.

EPIC is composed of researchers at all levels, from undergraduates to postdoctoral scholars and members of LASP’s permanent research staff. We welcome inquiries for possible opportunities from individuals representing a diverse range of backgrounds. The EPIC group is a welcoming environment, where all perspectives are respected and everyone is valued for their contributions.

Last updated: April 10, 2025

Current Group Members

Principal Investigator

Paul Hayne

Associate Professor

Planetary science and remote sensing

Research Associates and Postdocs

Harish (Ph.D.)

Postdoc

Asteroid surface composition and lunar volatiles

Patrick O'Brien (Ph.D.)

Research Associate

Thermal modeling of planetary surfaces and landscape evolution

PhD Students

Sam Cartwright

PhD Student

(with M. E. Landis) Mars polar processes and geologic mapping

Heshani Pieris

PhD Student

Mars dust storms and lunar instrumentation

Kya Sorli

PhD Student

Thermophysical modeling of asteroids and icy bodies

Robert Stevens

PhD Student

Mars climate and radiative transfer

Undergraduate Students

Bethany Fuhrman

Undergraduate Student

Mimas and icy satellite tectonics

Maya Nussbaumer

Undergraduate Student

Europa surface composition and astrobiology

Grace Shore

Undergraduate Student

(with M. E. Landis) Mars polar ice caps

Alumni

Sam Aberbook

Undergraduate Student

Former - Now in biotech industry

Europa thermophysical properties

Noora Alsaeed (Ph.D.)

PhD Student

Alumni - Now at UAE Space Agency

Mars climate and remote sensing

K. Michael Aye (Ph.D.)

Research Associate

Former - Now scientist at DLR

Computational planetary science and data analysis

Victoria Concepcion

Undergraduate Student

Former - Now PhD student at Arizona State University

Mars clouds and surface processes

Carlos Gary-Bicas (Ph.D.)

Undergraduate Student

Former - Now postdoc at Lousiana State University

Mars surface processes and remote sensing

Tyler Horvath

Undergraduate Student

Former - Now PhD student at UCLA

Lunar caves

Margaret Landis (Ph.D.)

Research Associate

Former - Now faculty at ASU

Solar system volatiles

Anya Portyankina (Ph.D.)

Research Associate

Former - Now Department Head at DLR

Mars polar processes and Enceladus jets

Shaelyn Raposa

Undergraduate Student

Former - Now PhD student at Northern Arizona University

Icy body surface composition and spectroscopy

Tara Tomlinson

Undergraduate Student

Former - Now PhD student at Dartmouth College

Europa and icy satellite surface processes

Andrew Wilcoski (Ph.D.)

PhD Student

Alumni - Now postdoc at NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Climate modeling and volatile transport