about

Charity Phillips-Lander is a Senior Research Scientist at Southwest Research Institute.  As an interdisciplinary scientist she draws on microbiology, organic and inorganic chemistry, geology, and material science to assess the habitability and biosignature potential of other worlds. Her research helps determine the vital role microorganisms play in altering geologic systems, and how we detect evidence of life (if present) on other planetary bodies.

teaching & outreach

We are all naturally scientists. Our first learning experiences in life are all hands-on, trial and error, which is an essential part of the scientific process. During my NSF GK-12 fellowship, I learned how to implement active, inquiry-based learning in the classroom.

At OU, I taught Introductory Geology for Scientists and Engineers using similar methods, where students learn by solving real scientific problems based on provided datasets, with some additional lecture material.

Since moving on to SwRI, I’ve focused on science outreach efforts both in the local community through the SAWorks Regional Job Shadow Day (Virtual 2020) and through Skype-a-Scientist. I also serve as an external mentor to several graduate students with the goal of helping connect early career scientists to permanent careers.

research interests

I use field- and laboratory-based studies to answer large-scale questions. In planetary science we often have very little data to work with and these studies help us interpret observations from orbital and surface-based planetary missions.

My studies of Earth-based environments can be used as analogs to environments we have observed on other planetary bodies and allow us to understand whether these environments are habitable and what types of evidence for life may be detectable.

My  current work seeks to address three questions: 1) How do we search for life in both rocky and icy environments in the Solar System?; 2) What influences habitability i.e. the potential for life to arise or colonize these environments?; and 3) How do we effectively design instruments and missions to search for life elsewhere?

I believe we will see the first life-detection missions flown in my lifetime and my goal is to help move us toward answering the great question of whether or not there is life elsewhere.