Janice Bishop, ’81

Dr. Janice Bishop, a chemist and planetary scientist at the SETI Institute, has been awarded the 2024 Arthur L. Day Medal by the Geological Society of America for her groundbreaking research on Mars. Specializing in spectroscopy, she analyzes CRISM data to identify clays and sulfates in Mars’ ancient rocks, offering insights into the planet’s past geochemical environment. In her lab, she builds a spectral library by studying mineral fingerprints and simulating Mars-like conditions to understand how water affects spectral properties. Her work extends to Mars analog sites on Earth, enhancing interpretations of Martian geology. Her pioneering research has shaped Mars exploration and advanced planetary science.