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Draft:Robert J. Lillis

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  • Comment: The sourcing is better (although a few are not), but now you have a different problem -- notability, see WP:NPROF (he is an academic). He has certainly made a strong start, but I am not convinced that he is there yet. His h-factors of 48 is decent, but by itself not high enough to qualify. Being a PI is an important step, but again not enough. Also his awards are not major enough. He needs "bigger" awards, the most obvious one he might get is APS Fellow, maybe someone will nominate him. Without major peer recognition he won't qualify, sorry. Ldm1954 (talk) 23:21, 3 July 2024 (UTC)
  • Comment: All references provided are not independent of the subject nor are they secondary sources. Vast majority of the draft is still unsourced. See WP:BLP for reqs. ~Liancetalk 19:55, 24 June 2024 (UTC)


Robert J. Lillis is a Research Physicist at the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California Berkeley[1] and Principal Investigator for NASA’s 2024 ESCAPADE[2][3] mission to Mars.[4]

Early Life and Education

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Robert J. Lillis was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1979. From 1985 to 1989, he lived in Allendale, New Jersey, USA, before returning to Dublin, where he attended Newpark Comprehensive School from 1991 to 1997. Lillis earned a Bachelor's degree with 1st Class Honours in Theoretical Physics from Trinity College Dublin in 2001.[2]

Career

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Lillis completed both a Master's and a Ph.D. in Physics at UC Berkeley[5]. His thesis research included developing the theory and application (to Mars) of electron reflectometry in planetary atmospheres[6].  His research focuses on planetary aeronomy and space physics and the geophysical implications of crustal remanent magnetism. He has also studied the effects of solar energetic particles on planetary environments, with a particular emphasis on Mars.[7]

At the UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory, Lillis has progressed from a PhD student researcher to a Senior Research Physicist and Associate Director for Planetary Science. He has authored over 150 peer-reviewed publications and contributed significantly to various space science missions and mission concept studies.[8]

Mission Years Lillis Role Notes
Mars Global Surveyor 2002-2006 Student member of MAG-ER team Developed electron reflectometry technique for planets with atmospheres
Mars Express[9] 2008-present Science Affiliate Space weather & ionospheric studies
Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution Mission (MAVEN)[10][11][12] 2008-present Science team member Leads photochemical working group
2008-2019 SEP instrument deputy Design, assembly, test and data flow.
2013-2021 Science Steering Group Advise the PI on science matters
Emirates Hope Mars Mission[13] 2014-present Science team member Co-led early mission formulation. Ultraviolet spectroscopy & aurora
Mars Orbiters for Surface Atmosphere Ionosphere Connections (MOSAIC) concept*[14] 2019-2021 Principal Investigator Decadal survey concept study for a constellation of 10 orbiters to understand the Mars climate system from subsurface ice to the solar wind
Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE)[15][16] 2018-present

(launch 2024)

Principal Investigator Twin satellites to characterize dynamics and real-time space weather response of Mars’ unique hybrid magnetosphere

Field of Study

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Robert J. Lillis is an expert in planetary geophysics and space physics.[2] His research includes:

Planetary Aeronomy: Studies Martian auroral processes, atmospheric escape, and ionospheric electrodynamics.

Crustal Remanent Magnetism: Develops techniques and models for studying Mars' crustal magnetic fields and their implications for planetary evolution through investigating planetary volcanism, impact processes, and planetary interiors (dynamo history of Mars).

Solar Energetic Particles: Studies impacts on planetary atmospheres and spaceflight hardware development.

Lillis’s research approach is broad, encompassing data analysis, simulation, and the development of both instrumentation and full missions, contributing to advancements in planetary and space sciences.[17]

Current Major Space Projects

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  • ESCAPADE: Exploring Mars' magnetosphere with coordinated multi-point observations, set for a late 2024 launch.[2]
  • MAVEN: Investigating Mars' atmosphere and climate history with a suite of in-situ and remote instruments[10][18]
  • Emirates Mars Mission: Providing a comprehensive view of the Martian atmosphere with a unique synoptic perspective

Lillis also participates in proposal development for missions studying Venus's aeronomy and mesoscale structures in interplanetary space weather.

Honours and Awards

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His contributions to planetary sciences have been recognized with various accolades, including the NASA Group Achievement Awards and Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement Awards.[19]

Personal Life

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Lillis’s interests extend beyond physics, encompassing history, geopolitics, and professional rugby. He is also a runner, hiker, and golfer.

Publications and Outreach

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Lillis has a significant publication record[4] and is actively involved in community outreach and scientific service. He regularly participates in peer review, proposal evaluation, and conference organization. His commitment to education and public engagement is reflected in his contributions to NASA’s Planetary Science Decadal Surveys and his mentorship of new scientists in the field.

Collaborators

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Person Collaborations
Bruce Jakosky 2005-present: Mars atmospheric escape, MAVEN colleagues[10]
Janet Luhmann 2004-present: space weather impacts at Mars, atmospheric escape.  Dr. Luhmann was Deputy PI on ESCAPADE 2019-23
Shannon Curry 2011-present: Mars-solar wind interaction. Dr. Curry is MAVEN Principal Investigator and ESCAPADE Project Scientist

References

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  1. ^ Particles, Geophysicist Specializing in Four Main Areas: 1) Solar Energetic; Environments, Their Effects on Planetary; Ionospheres, 2) Electrodynamics of Planetary; Magnetism, 3) Remote Sensing of Crustal; Escape, 4) the Physics of Atmospheric; broad, climate evolution I. have studied several planets but Mars is my primary focus My research approach is; Analysis, Encompassing Data; modeling; Instrumentation, Both (2022-05-02). "Robert Lillis » Full Directory". Space Sciences Lab. Retrieved 2024-06-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c d "Dr. Robert Lillis" (PDF). explorers.larc.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  3. ^ Foust, Jeff (2023-04-13). "ESCAPADE confident in planned 2024 New Glenn launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  4. ^ a b "Robert Lillis". scholar.google.com. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  5. ^ "Electron Reflectometry as a Probe of the Martian Crust and Atmosphere" (PDF).
  6. ^ "Robert J. Lillis - Research.com".
  7. ^ "Robert J. Lillis". research.com.
  8. ^ "| NASA Astrobiology Institute". astrobiology.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  9. ^ Lillis, Robert J.; Deighan, Justin; Brain, David; Fillingim, Matthew; Jain, Sonal; Chaffin, Michael; England, Scott; Holsclaw, Greg; Chirakkil, Krishnaprasad; Al Matroushi, Hessa; Lootah, Fatma; Al Mazmi, Hoor; Thiemann, Ed; Eparvier, Frank; Schneider, Nick (2022-08-23). "First Synoptic Images of FUV Discrete Aurora and Discovery of Sinuous Aurora at Mars by EMM EMUS". Geophysical Research Letters. 49 (16). Bibcode:2022GeoRL..4999820L. doi:10.1029/2022GL099820. ISSN 0094-8276.
  10. ^ a b c Jakosky, B. M.; Lin, R. P.; Grebowsky, J. M.; Luhmann, J. G.; Mitchell, D. F.; Beutelschies, G.; Priser, T.; Acuna, M.; Andersson, L.; Baird, D.; Baker, D.; Bartlett, R.; Benna, M.; Bougher, S.; Brain, D. (2015-12-01). "The Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) Mission". Space Science Reviews. 195 (1): 3–48. Bibcode:2015SSRv..195....3J. doi:10.1007/s11214-015-0139-x. ISSN 1572-9672.
  11. ^ Jakosky, B. M.; Grebowsky, J. M.; Luhmann, J. G.; Connerney, J.; Eparvier, F.; Ergun, R.; Halekas, J.; Larson, D.; Mahaffy, P.; McFadden, J.; Mitchell, D. L.; Schneider, N.; Zurek, R.; Bougher, S.; Brain, D. (2015-11-06). "MAVEN observations of the response of Mars to an interplanetary coronal mass ejection". Science. 350 (6261): aad0210. Bibcode:2015Sci...350.0210J. doi:10.1126/science.aad0210. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 26542576.
  12. ^ Larson, Davin E.; Lillis, Robert J.; Lee, Christina O.; Dunn, Patrick A.; Hatch, Kenneth; Robinson, Miles; Glaser, David; Chen, Jianxin; Curtis, David; Tiu, Christopher; Lin, Robert P.; Luhmann, Janet G.; Jakosky, Bruce M. (2015-12-01). "The MAVEN Solar Energetic Particle Investigation". Space Science Reviews. 195 (1): 153–172. Bibcode:2015SSRv..195..153L. doi:10.1007/s11214-015-0218-z. ISSN 1572-9672.
  13. ^ "Emirates launches first Mars probe with help from UC Berkeley | Research UC Berkeley". vcresearch.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  14. ^ "MARS ORBITERS FOR SURFACE-ATMOSPHERE-IONOSPHERE CONNECTIONS - Mission Concept Study" (PDF).
  15. ^ "NASA Space Science Data Coordinated Archive "EscaPADE"".
  16. ^ "NASA's ESCAPADE Mission – Twin Martian Orbiters – Moves Toward Launch". Space Sciences Lab. 2021-08-23. Retrieved 2024-07-01.
  17. ^ Particles, Geophysicist Specializing in Four Main Areas: 1) Solar Energetic; Environments, Their Effects on Planetary; Ionospheres, 2) Electrodynamics of Planetary; Magnetism, 3) Remote Sensing of Crustal; Escape, 4) the Physics of Atmospheric; broad, climate evolution I. have studied several planets but Mars is my primary focus My research approach is; Analysis, Encompassing Data; modeling; Instrumentation, Both (2022-05-02). "Robert Lillis » Full Directory". Space Sciences Lab. Retrieved 2024-07-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Bryant, Mike (2016-08-09). "Tracing Mars Atmospheric Loss through Time: the Three Devils". MAVEN. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  19. ^ "APL Achievement Awards and Prizes" (PDF).