Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez | |
---|---|
Born | Rafael Navarro-González April 25, 1959 |
Died | January 28, 2021 Mexico | (aged 61)
Nationality | Mexico [1] |
Education | Bachelors in Biology, Doctorate in Chemistry [1] |
Alma mater | National Autonomous University of Mexico (BS-Biology); University of Maryland at College Park (PhD-Chemistry) [1] |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Astrobiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez, also known as Rafael Navarro-González and Rafael Navarro, (April 25, 1959 – January 28, 2021) was a Mexican NASA astrobiologist who worked with the Curiosity rover on the planet Mars, and who helped lead researchers in the identification of ancient organic compounds on the planet. [1] [2] [3] He was an internationally recognized scientist who merged laboratory simulations, field studies and modeling based on biology, chemistry and physics. Navarro-Gonzalez noted the significance of volcanic lightning in the origin of life on Earth. [1] His professional work included the SAM component on the Mars Science Laboratory, and the HABIT instrument on the Exomars mission.
He died from complications of COVID-19 on January 28, 2021. In April 2021, NASA named a mountain, "Rafael Navarro Mountain", on the planet Mars in his honor. [2] [3]
Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez | |
---|---|
Born | Rafael Navarro-González April 25, 1959 |
Died | January 28, 2021 Mexico | (aged 61)
Nationality | Mexico [1] |
Education | Bachelors in Biology, Doctorate in Chemistry [1] |
Alma mater | National Autonomous University of Mexico (BS-Biology); University of Maryland at College Park (PhD-Chemistry) [1] |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Astrobiology, Biology, Chemistry, Physics |
Rafael Navarro-Gonzalez, also known as Rafael Navarro-González and Rafael Navarro, (April 25, 1959 – January 28, 2021) was a Mexican NASA astrobiologist who worked with the Curiosity rover on the planet Mars, and who helped lead researchers in the identification of ancient organic compounds on the planet. [1] [2] [3] He was an internationally recognized scientist who merged laboratory simulations, field studies and modeling based on biology, chemistry and physics. Navarro-Gonzalez noted the significance of volcanic lightning in the origin of life on Earth. [1] His professional work included the SAM component on the Mars Science Laboratory, and the HABIT instrument on the Exomars mission.
He died from complications of COVID-19 on January 28, 2021. In April 2021, NASA named a mountain, "Rafael Navarro Mountain", on the planet Mars in his honor. [2] [3]