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Bethany P Theiling

Photo of BETHANY THEILING

Bethany P Theiling

  • Research AST, Planetary Studies
  • 301.614.6909
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 699
  • Greenbelt , MD 20771
  • Employer: NASA

    • Current Projects

    Autonomous Science Agent Frameworks

    We are developing a modular framework for an autonomous onboard science 'agent' that can perform sample analysis and use a combination of a priori assumptions and artificial intelligence to update science priorities, communicate findings, prioritize future science data collection, and carry out these actions in the absence of ground-in-the-loop interaction. This technology is specifically useful for planetary missions in which communication is difficult or episodic.

    Mass Spectrometry Science Autonomy for Ocean Worlds

    My group is a new cooperative network spanning mass spectrometer instrument developers, ocean worlds laboratory analog experimentalists, and machine learning experts in an effort toward developing science autonomy for ocean worlds missions. We are working to: 1) develop flight instruments that can function autonomously in order to achieve established science goals and 2) develop consistent and streamlined methods for interpreting data from flight mass spectrometers. 

    Earth and Planetary Atmospheric Predictions Using Machine Learning

    We are developing machine learning models to predict in situ atmospheric isotopes using spacecraft data.

    Isotopic Fractionation on Ocean Worlds

    We are working toward developing predictive models for abiotic isotopic fractionation on, and analysis of mass spectra from, Ocean Worlds targets by conducting laboratory experiments of analog conditions. 

    Isotopic Biosignatures on Ocean Worlds

    This project focuses on the viability of detecting isotopic biosignatures of life on Ocean Worlds through experimental laboratory analogs.

    Habitability of Ocean Worlds

    Evaluation of habitability of ocean worlds environments through analysis of experimental laboratory analogs and computational modeling.

    Ecosystem Effects of Oceanic Dead Zones and Biotic Recovery

    Study of widespread development of 'dead zones' - low oxygen oceanic zones typically positioned near continents - in Earth's past, with particular focus on the climatic and oceanographic conditions that promote dead zones, and well as recovery from these events. Research is conducted through a combination of fieldwork and laboratory analysis. 

    Positions/Employment

    8/2019 - Present

    RESEARCH AST, PLANETARY STUDIES

    NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
    8/2015 - 5/2019

    Assistant Professor

    The University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK
    7/2013 - 5/2015

    Postdoctoral Researcher

    Jet Propulsion Laboratory-Caltech, Pasadena, CA
    6/2011 - 7/2013

    Stable Isotope Specialist

    Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN

    Teaching Experience

    Undergraduate level:

    Introduction to Oceanography

    History of the Biosphere (lecture and lab)

    Historical Geology (lecture and lab)

    Environmental Science

    Physical Geology (lecture and lab)

    Physics I (lab)

     

    Graduate level:

    Geochemistry

    Paleoenvironment Interpretation

    Planetary Science

     

    Education

    Ph.D., Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of New Mexico, May 2013

    M.S., Geology, University of Georgia, December 2005

    B.A., Anthropology; Linguistics minor, Florida State University, June 2003

    Publications

    Refereed

    Theiling, B. P., L. Chou, V. D. Poian, et al. M. Battler, K. Raimalwala, R. Arevalo, M. Neveu, Z. Ni, H. Graham, J. Elsila, and B. Thompson. 2022. "Science Autonomy for Ocean Worlds Astrobiology: A Perspective." Astrobiology, [10.1089/ast.2021.0062]

    Brinckerhoff, W. B., P. A. Willis, A. J. Ricco, et al. D. A. Kaplan, R. M. Danell, A. Grubisic, M. F. Mora, J. S. Creamer, A. Noell, J. C. Stern, C. Czopa, C. Freissinet, F. Kehl, K. Zamuruyev, C. T. Castle, J. Spring, T. Drevinskas, M. Badescu, M. S. Ferreira Santos, E. A. Jaramillo, F. Van Amerom, X. Li, M. E. Castillo, J. L. Eigenbrode, B. P. Theiling, R. C. Quinn, F. Stalport, A. Buch, and K. A. Zacny. 2022. "Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) for a Future Europa Lander Mission." Frontiers in Space Technologies, 2: 760927 [Full Text (Link)] [10.3389/frspt.2021.760927]

    Barge, L. M., L. E. Rodriguez, J. M. Weber, and B. P. Theiling. 2021. "Determining the “Biosignature Threshold” for Life Detection on Biotic, Abiotic, or Prebiotic Worlds." Astrobiology, [10.1089/ast.2021.0079]

    Theiling, B. P. 2021. "The effect of Europa and Enceladus analog seawater composition on isotopic measurements of volatile CO2." Icarus, 358: 114216 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114216]

    Hudson, R., B. Theiling, D. Bower, et al. H. Graham, M. Trainer, C. Nixon, and S. Milam. 2021. "Laboratory Studies in Support of the Exploration of Ocean Worlds and NASA Missions." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.935e24ec]

    Miller, K. E., B. Theiling, A. E. Hofmann, et al. J. Castillo-Rogez, M. Neveu, S. Hosseini, J. Barnes, K. D. Kleer, T. J. Barrett, H. B. Franz, C. R. Glein, C. H. House, R. C. Blase, M. J. Libardoni, L. J. Spilker, M. Choukroun, and B. J. Drouin. 2021. "The value of CHONS isotopic measurements of major compounds as probes of planetary origin, evolution, and habitability." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.6c7da905]

    Amini, R., A. Azari, S. Bhaskaran, et al. P. Beauchamp, J. Castillo-Rogez, R. Castano, S. Chung, J. Day, R. Doyle, M. Feather, L. Fesq, J. Frank, P. M. Furlong, M. Ingham, B. Kennedy, K. Kolcio, I. Nesnas, R. Rasmussen, G. Reeves, C. Sorice, B. Theiling, and J. Wyatt. 2021. "Advancing the Scientific Frontier with Increasingly Autonomous Systems." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers), 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.a09526a1]

    Theiling, B. P., and M. Coleman. 2019. "The relationship of diagenesis with a complex microbial ecosystem in the phosphatic interval of the Miocene Monterey Formation: evidence from stable isotopes and mineralogy." Marine Geology, 413: 112-128 [10.1016/j.margeo.2019.04.001]

    Cheng, L., C. Normandeau, R. Bowden, et al. R. Doucett, B. Gallagher, D. P. Gillikin, Y. Kumamoto, J. L. McKay, P. Middlestead, U. Ninnemann, D. Nothaft, E. O. Dubinina, P. Quay, G. Reverdin, K. Shirai, P. T. Mørkved, B. P. Theiling, R. Geldern, and D. W. Wallace. 2019. "An international intercomparison of stable carbon isotope composition measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater." Limnology and Oceanography: Methods, 17 (3): 200-209 [10.1002/lom3.10300]

    Wang, G., J. Li, S. Ravi, B. P. Theiling, and J. B. Sankey. 2018. "Fire changes the spatial distribution and sources of soil organic carbon in a grassland-shrubland transition zone." Plant and Soil, 435 (1-2): 309-321 [10.1007/s11104-018-3895-z]

    Juntunen, H. L., L. J. Leinen, B. K. Pitts, et al. S. M. O’Hanlon, B. P. Theiling, L. M. Barge, P. Videau, and M. O. Gaylor. 2018. "Investigating the Kinetics of Montmorillonite Clay-Catalyzed Conversion of Anthracene to 9,10-Anthraquinone in the Context of Prebiotic Chemistry." Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres, 48 (3): 321-330 [10.1007/s11084-018-9562-9]

    Theiling, B. P., M. Elrick, and Y. Asmerom. 2017. "Constraining the timing and provenance of trans-Laurentian transport using Nd and Sm isotopes from Silurian and Devonian marine carbonates." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 466: 392-405 [10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.09.012]

    Theiling, B. P., and M. Coleman. 2015. "Refining the extraction methodology of carbonate associated sulfate: Evidence from synthetic and natural carbonate samples." Chemical Geology, 411: 36-48 [10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.06.018]

    Theiling, B. P., M. Elrick, and Y. Asmerom. 2012. "Increased continental weathering flux during orbital-scale sea-level highstands: Evidence from Nd and O isotope trends in Middle Pennsylvanian cyclic carbonates." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, 342-343: 17-26 [10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.04.017]

    Theiling, B. P., L. B. Railsback, S. M. Holland, and D. E. Crowe. 2007. "Heterogeneity in Geochemical Expression of Subaerial Exposure in Limestones, and Its Implications for Sampling to Detect Exposure Surfaces." Journal of Sedimentary Research, 77 (2): 159-169 [10.2110/jsr.2007.014]

    Non-Refereed

    Perl, S., S. Adeli, C. Basu, et al. B. K. Baxter, J. Bowman, E. Boyd, M. Cable, A. J. Celestian, C. S. Cockell, F. A. Corsetti, K. L. Craft, A. Engelhart, A. G. Fairen, S. Karunatillake, K. Lynch, S. Potter-McIntyre, F. Rivera-Hernandez, M. Schneegurt, S. Schwenzer, S. Shkolyar, B. Theiling, B. Wade, and J. Zaloumis. 2021. "Salty Environments: The importance of evaporites and brine environments as habitats and preservers of biosignatures." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.d0fffbba]

    Publications

    Refereed

    Theiling, B. P., L. Chou, V. D. Poian, et al. M. Battler, K. Raimalwala, R. Arevalo, M. Neveu, Z. Ni, H. Graham, J. Elsila, and B. Thompson. 2022. "Science Autonomy for Ocean Worlds Astrobiology: A Perspective." Astrobiology [10.1089/ast.2021.0062]

    Brinckerhoff, W. B., P. A. Willis, A. J. Ricco, et al. D. A. Kaplan, R. M. Danell, A. Grubisic, M. F. Mora, J. S. Creamer, A. Noell, J. C. Stern, C. Czopa, C. Freissinet, F. Kehl, K. Zamuruyev, C. T. Castle, J. Spring, T. Drevinskas, M. Badescu, M. S. Ferreira Santos, E. A. Jaramillo, F. Van Amerom, X. Li, M. E. Castillo, J. L. Eigenbrode, B. P. Theiling, R. C. Quinn, F. Stalport, A. Buch, and K. A. Zacny. 2022. "Europan Molecular Indicators of Life Investigation (EMILI) for a Future Europa Lander Mission." Frontiers in Space Technologies 2 760927 [Full Text (Link)] [10.3389/frspt.2021.760927]

    Barge, L. M., L. E. Rodriguez, J. M. Weber, and B. P. Theiling. 2021. "Determining the “Biosignature Threshold” for Life Detection on Biotic, Abiotic, or Prebiotic Worlds." Astrobiology [10.1089/ast.2021.0079]

    Theiling, B. P. 2021. "The effect of Europa and Enceladus analog seawater composition on isotopic measurements of volatile CO2." Icarus 358 114216 [10.1016/j.icarus.2020.114216]

    Hudson, R., B. Theiling, D. Bower, et al. H. Graham, M. Trainer, C. Nixon, and S. Milam. 2021. "Laboratory Studies in Support of the Exploration of Ocean Worlds and NASA Missions." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.935e24ec]

    Miller, K. E., B. Theiling, A. E. Hofmann, et al. J. Castillo-Rogez, M. Neveu, S. Hosseini, J. Barnes, K. D. Kleer, T. J. Barrett, H. B. Franz, C. R. Glein, C. H. House, R. C. Blase, M. J. Libardoni, L. J. Spilker, M. Choukroun, and B. J. Drouin. 2021. "The value of CHONS isotopic measurements of major compounds as probes of planetary origin, evolution, and habitability." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.6c7da905]

    Amini, R., A. Azari, S. Bhaskaran, et al. P. Beauchamp, J. Castillo-Rogez, R. Castano, S. Chung, J. Day, R. Doyle, M. Feather, L. Fesq, J. Frank, P. M. Furlong, M. Ingham, B. Kennedy, K. Kolcio, I. Nesnas, R. Rasmussen, G. Reeves, C. Sorice, B. Theiling, and J. Wyatt. 2021. "Advancing the Scientific Frontier with Increasingly Autonomous Systems." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.a09526a1]

    Theiling, B. P., and M. Coleman. 2019. "The relationship of diagenesis with a complex microbial ecosystem in the phosphatic interval of the Miocene Monterey Formation: evidence from stable isotopes and mineralogy." Marine Geology 413 112-128 [10.1016/j.margeo.2019.04.001]

    Cheng, L., C. Normandeau, R. Bowden, et al. R. Doucett, B. Gallagher, D. P. Gillikin, Y. Kumamoto, J. L. McKay, P. Middlestead, U. Ninnemann, D. Nothaft, E. O. Dubinina, P. Quay, G. Reverdin, K. Shirai, P. T. Mørkved, B. P. Theiling, R. Geldern, and D. W. Wallace. 2019. "An international intercomparison of stable carbon isotope composition measurements of dissolved inorganic carbon in seawater." Limnology and Oceanography: Methods 17 (3): 200-209 [10.1002/lom3.10300]

    Wang, G., J. Li, S. Ravi, B. P. Theiling, and J. B. Sankey. 2018. "Fire changes the spatial distribution and sources of soil organic carbon in a grassland-shrubland transition zone." Plant and Soil 435 (1-2): 309-321 [10.1007/s11104-018-3895-z]

    Juntunen, H. L., L. J. Leinen, B. K. Pitts, et al. S. M. O’Hanlon, B. P. Theiling, L. M. Barge, P. Videau, and M. O. Gaylor. 2018. "Investigating the Kinetics of Montmorillonite Clay-Catalyzed Conversion of Anthracene to 9,10-Anthraquinone in the Context of Prebiotic Chemistry." Origins of Life and Evolution of Biospheres 48 (3): 321-330 [10.1007/s11084-018-9562-9]

    Theiling, B. P., M. Elrick, and Y. Asmerom. 2017. "Constraining the timing and provenance of trans-Laurentian transport using Nd and Sm isotopes from Silurian and Devonian marine carbonates." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 466 392-405 [10.1016/j.palaeo.2016.09.012]

    Theiling, B. P., and M. Coleman. 2015. "Refining the extraction methodology of carbonate associated sulfate: Evidence from synthetic and natural carbonate samples." Chemical Geology 411 36-48 [10.1016/j.chemgeo.2015.06.018]

    Theiling, B. P., M. Elrick, and Y. Asmerom. 2012. "Increased continental weathering flux during orbital-scale sea-level highstands: Evidence from Nd and O isotope trends in Middle Pennsylvanian cyclic carbonates." Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 342-343 17-26 [10.1016/j.palaeo.2012.04.017]

    Theiling, B. P., L. B. Railsback, S. M. Holland, and D. E. Crowe. 2007. "Heterogeneity in Geochemical Expression of Subaerial Exposure in Limestones, and Its Implications for Sampling to Detect Exposure Surfaces." Journal of Sedimentary Research 77 (2): 159-169 [10.2110/jsr.2007.014]

    Non-Refereed

    Perl, S., S. Adeli, C. Basu, et al. B. K. Baxter, J. Bowman, E. Boyd, M. Cable, A. J. Celestian, C. S. Cockell, F. A. Corsetti, K. L. Craft, A. Engelhart, A. G. Fairen, S. Karunatillake, K. Lynch, S. Potter-McIntyre, F. Rivera-Hernandez, M. Schneegurt, S. Schwenzer, S. Shkolyar, B. Theiling, B. Wade, and J. Zaloumis. 2021. "Salty Environments: The importance of evaporites and brine environments as habitats and preservers of biosignatures." Vol. 53, Issue 4 (Planetary/Astrobiology Decadal Survey Whitepapers) 53 (4): [10.3847/25c2cfeb.d0fffbba]

                                                                                                                                                                                            
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    • Last Updated: 09/27/2023