Dr. Deborah Bass is currently the Deputy Project Scientist for the Phoenix Mars Lander Mission, which landed safely in the northern Martian Arctic May 25, 2008. She also works in the Mars Program Office, examining the state and future of Mars Sample Receiving Facilities. Deborah received her bachelors degree in Geology from the University of Pennsylvania, and her PhD in Planetary Geology from the University of California, Los Angeles. Dr. Bass conducts independent research on the Martian water cycle, focusing on surface-atmosphere interactions in the north polar region. Deborah has been working with and around JPL for approximately 13 years, conducting most of her PhD research at JPL, as well as representing Cassini science planning for the CAPS and INMS instruments while she was employed at Southwest Research Institute. Dr. Bass was part of the science team on the Mars 98 Mars Polar Lander, working interfaces between the spacecraft team and the science team. Dr. Bass came to JPL formally in 2001, where she worked as the Science Operations System Engineer for the Mars Exploration Rover (MER) project, and most recently as the MER Deputy Science Team Chief. Deborah also participates in a variety of outreach activities for the space program, from conducting both print, television and radio interviews to engaging in public speaking opportunities for K-12, college and general public audiences. She was part of the Marsapalooza team, participating in a 7 day, 5 city tour to promote the MER mission just prior to landing.
In her hours away from JPL, Deborah spends as much time as she can with her husband, twin baby daughters, and two German shepherd dogs. Deborah also enjoys yoga, hiking, cooking and drinking fine wine.
