University of Aberdeen
Current Position | Honorary Professor in Mars Research and Astrobiology |
Previous Position | Senior Researcher, Centro de Astrobiología, Spain |
zorzanomm@cab.inta-csic.es | |
Departments | School of Geosciences |
ECR | Yes |
Quadrat Core Themes | Biodiversity, Earth Systems |
Methods I Use | Environmental Chambers, Instrument Design, Modelling, Simulation Facility |
Profiles |
Key Research Interests
- Mars habitability
- Atmosphere-Soil interaction
- Biomarker detection and planetary protection
- Planetary exploration
- Water cycle
Recent Key Papers
- Azua-Bustos, A., González-Silva, C., Fernández-Martínez, M.Á. ..,-P. Zorzano. Aeolian transport of viable microbial life across the Atacama Desert, Chile: Implications for Mars. Sci Rep9, 11024 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-47394-z
- Mateo-Marti, E., Galvez-Martinez, S., Gil-Lozano, C. .. -P. Zorzano.Pyrite-induced uv-photocatalytic abiotic nitrogen fixation: implications for early atmospheres and Life. Sci Rep 9, 15311 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-51784-8
- Nazarious, M.I.; Zorzano, M.-P.; Martín-Torres, J. Metabolt: An In-Situ Instrument to Characterize the Metabolic Activity of Microbial Soil Ecosystems Using Electrochemical and Gaseous Signatures. Sensors2020, 20, 4479. org/10.3390/S20164479
Summary Title of Current Studentships
I would be interested in collaborating on project proposals related to:
- Comparative study of microbiome adaptation to Martian soil conditions and analogue environments on Earth.
- Biomarker and life detection in samples from the Mars Sample Return mission.