Can you briefly describe what you do?

I’m a senior researcher at the University of Leicester. I conduct research on topics related to space exploration, including understanding the Moon's surface so we can potentially harvest materials for future lunar bases and missions.

More recently, I’ve been working on technology development projects involving radioisotope power sources. These systems could help generate power and heat in extreme locations, such as permanently shadowed craters on the Moon or regions in the outer solar system where solar power isn’t sufficient.

Did you always plan to be a planetary scientist?

I certainly didn’t plan this career path—I didn’t even realize it was a path that existed. My goal was simply to attend university, which was a big milestone in my family. My brother and I were the first in our family to pursue education beyond high school.

I had always loved space. I was lucky enough to visit Kennedy Space Center as a child, and it completely fascinated me. Because of that interest, I studied physics, though I wasn’t sure where it would lead. After university, I went into teaching before eventually returning to complete a master’s program in Space Exploration Systems at the University of Leicester. That experience really ignited my passion for research, and I’ve been working in the field ever since.

What is your favorite part of your job?

The variety. Research allows you to work on different types of problems and collaborate with people around the world. I enjoy that balance between desk-based work, writing, reading, and problem-solving, and hands-on laboratory work.

International collaboration has been one of the highlights of my career. Working with teams across different countries is incredibly rewarding.

What does an experiment look like for a planetary scientist?

Much of my work involves studying the physical properties of lunar materials. For example, we’ve had access to Apollo soil samples. One experiment involved analyzing how lunar soil behaves mechanically; how it flows and settles, so that we can model those behaviors in computer simulations.

These models help us understand how rovers might interact with lunar surfaces without needing large quantities of the actual material.

Another experiment involved heating lunar materials with hydrogen to extract oxygen from minerals. This could potentially allow us to produce water from lunar rock, which is very exciting for future missions.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Like many careers in academia, job security can be difficult. Permanent research positions are limited, and scientists often spend a lot of time preparing for the next position while trying to continue their research.

I considered going into lecturing, especially because of my teaching background, but teaching responsibilities can significantly reduce the time available for research. Research is really where my passion lies.

Why should people outside academia be excited about your field?

Space has a unique ability to inspire people. The Moon landings brought the world together in a remarkable way.

We’re entering another exciting period in space exploration. Humans will return to the Moon, and eventually, missions to Mars will become possible. Being able to contribute to that progress and share it with the public is incredibly rewarding.
 

What has been the greatest challenge in your career?

One of the biggest challenges occurred during my undergraduate studies. I struggled with the mathematical side of physics and didn’t perform as well as I had hoped. That experience really affected my confidence.

Teaching helped me rebuild that confidence and develop valuable communication skills. It also gave me a strong work ethic, which helped when I returned to graduate school.

I like sharing that story because people often assume that successful scientists were always top students. That isn’t always true. Passion, persistence, and resilience matter just as much.

What advice would you give aspiring scientists?

Networking is extremely important in research. It’s not just about knowing your subject; it’s also about communicating your work and building relationships with other scientists.

Conferences, collaborations, and conversations with colleagues are all opportunities to build those connections.

Confidence can be challenging, especially early in a career, but it grows with experience. The key is to push yourself outside your comfort zone.

Where do you see your field in 50 years?

There’s a famous joke in space science that Mars is always “30 years away”, and it has been for decades.

But progress is happening. The current focus is on returning to the Moon in a sustainable way. Instead of short visits, the goal is to establish a longer-term human presence that can support deeper exploration.

Ultimately, those technologies will help make missions to Mars possible.