PTYS/LPL Research Scientists
Michael Phillips
Researcher/Scientist
Kuiper 450
Ph.D., 2021, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Years with LPL: 2023 to present
Astrobiology, Photogrammetry, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Surfaces, Planetary Geology
As a planetary geologist, I use remote sensing data and mathematical models to understand planetary bodies, their composition, geology and geochemistry, formation histories, and potential to host life. My research is focused on planetary surface geology and processes and applications of AI/ML to planetary and astrobiological exploration. The data I use in my research are hyper- and multispectral reflectance and thermal emission spectra, topographic data, and various other satellite- and small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS)-based products. To augment my remote sensing approach, I conduct field work, employ numerical, analytical, and machine learning models, and perform laboratory and field spectroscopy.
In addition to my role as a research scientist, I manage the Space Imagery Center at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. The Space Imagery Center is a research collection of NASA planetary photography, cartographic products, and technical documentation. Established in 1977, the Center spent much of its life as one of 17 NASA Regional Planetary Image Facilities located around the world. The Space Imagery Center continues to be a cornerstone for outreach and public science education at the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory, and is home to 5 high-performance computers specialized for production of high-quality Digital Elevation Models.
Current Grants
2025 - 2028: Planetary Data Archiving, Restoration, and Tools (PI), "Production of digital terrain models from HiRISE stereo pairs"
2024 - 2027: Mars Data Analysis Program (PI), "From olivine to feldspar: Tracing Martian crustal evolution with CRISM mapping data"
Student Collaborations/Advising
Current
Undergraduate researchers, NASA PDART HiRISE digital terrain model project (2025–present): Choe Billet, Alexander Burchuladze, Patricio Santos, Luke Meyer, Lenny Druelle
Undergraduate researcher, UA TIMESTEP Program: Jessie Larson
High school intern, Vail Internship Program: Lily Becker
Doctoral committee member, University of Tennessee, Knoxville: Udit Basu, Andrew Foerder
Former
Student researchers, NASA HPOSS Spectral Cube Analysis Tool project (2024–2026): Jesse Oved, Emma Elliot, Hamad Ayaz
Student researcher, NASA Mars Data Analysis Program: Linae Larson
Current Postdocs
Jichao Fang, Gordon and Betty Moore Fellow
Phillips, M.S., et al. (2026). Visible to near-infrared properties of felsic rocks: Plagioclase detection limits and applications to Mars orbital spectra. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets. doi:10.1029/2026JE009705
Phillips, M.S., et al. (2026). Proposed identification criteria of the Martian lower crust and mantle excavated by the Isidis impact. Communications Earth & Environment. doi:10.1038/s43247-026-03617-6
Phillips, M.S., et al. (2025). Mercury's hollows: A potential signature of sulfur exosphere-subsurface transport. Geophysical Research Letters. doi:10.1029/2025GL118112
Phillips, M.S., Viviano, C.E., Rogers, A.D., Larson, L., Tornabene, L., Trowbridge, A., Moersch, J.E., McSween Jr., H.Y. (2025). Widespread ancient anorthosites in the lower crust of Mars. Communications Earth & Environment, 6, 275. doi:10.1038/s43247-025-03004-7
Phillips, M.S., Udovicic, C.T., Moersch, J.E., Basu, U., Hamilton, C.W. (2024). HyPyRameter: A Python toolbox to calculate spectral parameters from hyperspectral reflectance data. The Planetary Science Journal, 5(11), 258.
Phillips, M.S., Murchie, S.L., Seelos, F.P., et al. (2023). A first look at CRISM hyperspectral mapping mosaicked data: Results from Mawrth Vallis. Icarus, 115712. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115712
Warren-Rhodes, K., Cabrol, N.A., Phillips, M., et al. (2023). Orbit-to-ground framework to decode and predict biosignature patterns in terrestrial analogues. Nature Astronomy, 7(4), 406–422. doi:10.1038/s41550-022-01882-x
Phillips, M.S., Viviano, C.E., Moersch, J.E., Rogers, A.D., McSween, H.Y., et al. (2022). Extensive and ancient feldspathic crust detected across north Hellas rim, Mars: Possible implications for primary crust formation. Geology, 50(10), 1182–1186. doi:10.1130/G50341.1
- AABC Shorts: This is Why I came to the U of A - March 10, 2025
- AABC Shorts: You Can Bring Your Strengths to This Field - March 12, 2025
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