Medha Prakash
Supervisors
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My research interests are primarily in astrobiology and planetary surface processes. I am working Sean Gulick, Cyril Grima, and Ralph Milliken (Brown University), to analyze a variety of impact materials undergoing dynamic deposition and alteration, using remote sensing techniques. This work takes me from the Moon (Schrodinger Basin), to Earth 200 million years ago (Rochechouart), with widespread planetary applications. I also investigate the history of environmental perceptions and space exploration and how these perspectives may contribute to ethical frameworks to approach remote environments and future space exploration. I additionally explore the intersection of art and geosciences through poetry, art, and facilitating spaces for geocreativity. My previous research includes literature syntheses pertaining to mineral mediated carbon reduction's importance for the paleoclimates on Mars and Earth, as well as using terrestrial eskers as analogs for sinuous ridges on Mars to inform our understanding of warm-based glaciation on Mars.
Outstanding Graduate Research Award - The Graduate School (2026 - 2027)
NSF GRFP Honorable Mention - National Science Foundation (2025)
Sigma Xi Membership - Sigma Xi (2025)
Wilbur A. Nelson Award - The University of Virginia- Department of Environmental Sciences (2023)
Undergraduate STEM Research Scholarship - Virginia Space Grant Consortium (2022 - 2023)
Richard Scott Mitchell Award - The University of Virginia- Department of Environmental Sciences (2022)
Double Hoo Award - The University of Virginia Office of Undergraduate Research (2021 - 2022)
Paul Tudor Jones II Jefferson Scholarship - Jefferson Scholars Foundation (2019 - 2023)
Co-President, Graduate Student Executive Council (2025 - 2026)
Founder, Planetary Peer Network (2024)
Secretary, Graduate Student Executive Council (2024 - 2025)
Prakash, M., Weber, J., Rodriguez, L., Sheppard, R. & Barge, L. (2022). Database on mineral mediated carbon reduction: implications for future research. International Journal of Astrobiology, 21(6), 423 - 440. doi:https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-journal-of-astrobiology/article/abs/database-on-mineral-mediated-carbon-reduction-implications-for-future-research/00E785C1DDF70E456FC3E280090AFEAD.
Weber, J., Marlin, T., Prakash, M., Teece, B., Dzurilla, K. & Barge, L. (2023). A Review on Hypothesized Metabolic Pathways on Europa and Enceladus: Space-Flight Detection Considerations. Life, 13(8). doi:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1729/13/8/1726.