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Published: 2022-08-31 Updated: 2025-08-20, 14:44

Studying extreme environments on Earth to understand the planet Mars

NEWS "Already as a child, I was a bit of a 'geek' who wanted to become either an astronaut or an archaeologist. In a way, my job today actually includes both of those dreams: I work with space-related questions and dig into minerals and ice,” says Merve Yeşilbaş, assistant professor at the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University.

Translated by Rebecca Forsberg, 2025.

I wish I could be on Mars with my spectrometer, conducting experiments on site!

Merve Yeşilbaş, originally from Istanbul, Turkey, radiates positive energy and seems cheerful. We are chatting over coffee in the Department of Chemistry's break room. She was the third assistant professor hired by the Faculty of Science and Technology in a special initiative to recruit promising young researchers. Today, she leads her own research group.

“My research is interdisciplinary, within the fields of planetary science, astrobiology, and inorganic chemistry. I study the extreme environment of Mars in terms of its minerals and hydrology. I wish I could be on Mars with my spectrometer, conducting experiments on site!”

But it won’t be until 2032 that NASA plans a mission to bring back soil samples from our red neighbor. In the meantime, Merve works with mineral samples from extreme environments on Earth—such as the Arctic, Hawaii, and Iceland—which she analyzes in her lab, combined with remote sensing techniques, meaning images taken of Mars’ surface with specialized instruments.

She aims to determine what minerals and rocks exist on Mars, identify potential water resources, and study its salts.

“This knowledge is important for future space exploration. I’m particularly interested in whether and how water occurs on Mars. Studies have shown that water in the form of ice exists beneath the surface today, and that Mars’ water chemistry has changed from four billion years ago to now.”

NASA – a childhood dream

Merve Yeşilbaş became familiar with Umeå and our university already twelve years ago. In January 2010, she traveled to Umeå for a period as an Erasmus student in physics. She stayed in Umeå and studied a master’s program in physics for two years, and then she was admitted as a doctoral student in inorganic chemistry at the Department of Chemistry at Umeå University.

After that, she got her big chance, which was a research position as a postdoc at NASA in California.

“Being at NASA was my childhood dream come true! To explore the unknown beyond Earth, such a feeling ‘like touching a star.’ During my time at NASA, I had fantastic opportunities to establish collaborations that are still ongoing and to meet successful and very inspiring researchers. Naturally, it was exciting to witness the astonishing science taking place there.”

The goal of Merve Yeşilbaş’s research at NASA was to identify hydrated minerals and cryosalts on the surface of the planet Mars to reveal the history of water activity and potential water resources for future human exploration. To achieve this, Merve Yeşilbaş used several spectroscopic techniques such as IR and Raman Spectroscopy. Then she learned how to map Martian soils to reveal the mineralogical composition of these using orbital data from the Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars (CRISM).

“My studies showed that water could in fact form at temperatures as low as about -50 °Celsius near the surface of Mars with the help of salts in the soil, which also has a direct impact on Mars’ geological properties.”

Interdisciplinarity brings quality

During her time at NASA, Merve Yeşilbaş gained experience working with researchers from many different fields such as physicists, geologists, astrobiologists, and data analysts. She saw the importance of teamwork and how brainstorming by researchers from different areas provides a comprehensive, broad vision for explaining phenomena related to space. The different approaches add quality to the science.

“This is also the reason why, when I now myself announce PhD and postdoc positions, I welcome potential candidates to apply from different fields in order to gain a new approach and broaden the perspectives in my research group.”

In addition, since leaving the USA, she has reflected on how important and crucial science communication is for attracting the young generation to the STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics).

“That is why I try to take the time to engage in popular science activities in Umeå and, for example, I am one of the researchers in Borrow a Researcher during Researchers’ Night at Curiosum this autumn. I look forward to meeting the young generation and talking with them about Mars.”

What advice would you like to give to young researchers?

“Do not be afraid to go your own way and be prepared to work hard. Also do not be afraid to change the direction of your research over time. I have done that myself. Always think about developing yourself and seek help from others, and in turn pass on your knowledge. I have been fortunate in my career and had many good mentors, colleagues, and supervisors along the way who have helped me reach my dreams.”

Enjoys KBC and Umeå

Since January 2022, Merve Yeşilbaş has been working at the Department of Chemistry at KBC, an environment she enjoys.

“The research infrastructure is top-class and is moreover gathered in the same place. That means I don’t need to travel away to make measurements but can concentrate on doing research and publishing my results at a fast pace. In addition, I have fantastic colleagues!”

Merve also likes the city of Umeå.

“It’s quite a harsh and extreme environment here with a lot of ice, which is exactly what I work with,” she giggles.

A cool lab is taking shape

Now it is time for Merve Yeşilbaş to create her own research group, starting with hiring a PhD student and a postdoc. At the beginning of the summer, equipment she had ordered arrived for the new spectrometer laboratory—which can operate under very extreme conditions: minus 150 degrees Celsius and extremely low pressure.

“My space chemistry lab is going to be so cool!”

Quick facts about Merve

From: Turkey, now living in Umeå
Best things about Umeå: the winter, nature, and the tranquility
Interests: Yoga, sports
Likes: Having coffee at Kulturbageriet and visiting exhibitions at Bildmuseet
Misses from home: Freshly roasted Turkish coffee
Science fiction favorites: The Martian and Interstellar
Is there life in space? Don’t know, but working hard to find out :-)
On the nightstand: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do and How to Change by Charles Duhigg
Childhood dream: Archaeologist or astronaut

For more information

Merve Yesilbas
Assistant professor
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