J. Nick Benardini
American astrobiologist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James Nick Benardini is an American microbiologist who serves as the 8th and current Planetary Protection Officer for NASA since 2021.[1] He has a Bachelor of Science in microbiology from the University of Arizona and a PhD in microbiology, molecular biology and biochemistry from the University of Idaho.[2] In 2016, he won the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers for his contributions to planetary protection at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California.[3][4] His research is focused on microbiological detection and ecology in extreme environments, such as Mars.[3] He is the lead for the lab team in charge of sampling for the InSight 2016 and Mars 2020 missions.[3]
James Nick Benardini | |
|---|---|
| 8th NASA Planetary Protection Officer | |
| Assumed office June 7, 2021 | |
| President | Joe Biden Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | Lisa Pratt |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Planetary Protection Officer at NASA |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Astrobiology, Microbiology |
| Workplaces | NASA |
| Thesis | Microbiology of aquatic environments: Characterizations of the microbiotas of municipal water supplies, the International Space Station Internal Active Thermal Control System's heat transport fluid, and US space shuttle drinking water (2007) |
| Ronald L. Crawford | |
