Team

Hi, I’m Gaia (she/her). I’m an Assistant Professor at the Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) at MIT. Born in Brazil, with Spanish citizenship, and raised in Portugal, I feel right at home in the warm, tropical climate of Boston. Before I ended up here, I obtained my PhD from Imperial College London (with a UChicago internship), and an MSci from University College London where I first fell in love with Earth and Planetary Sciences. Following that, I completed postdocs at UT Austin and my Assistant Professorship at MIT in 2023 and I am looking forward to getting my new group and lab up and running. In general, I’m interested in why landscapes look the way they do. I’ve looked at channels buried below the seabed, canyons in Iceland, and lakes on Mars — but I’m always looking for new places to explore! My weak spot is a waterfall, how can you not love them? Outside of work, I love tennis, triathlons, art, reading, and so many other things that I can’t fit here. Check out the amazing members of our group below 🙂

We are always looking for creative and motivated people to work with us. Have a look around and see if you find any projects interesting, and that overlap with your research goals. I have provided some options below for ways to join.

Graduate research: MIT EAPS accepts PhD applications each fall. Keep an eye out for NSF GRFP application deadlines in the fall. Please contact me or any group member with your CV and interests.

Postdoc research: There are a few options! EAPS has a Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship  and hosts the 51 Pegasi b Fellowship or the MIT School of Science fellowship (applications due each fall). You can also reach out to collaborate on a NASA or NSF proposal (or any other sources)!

Undergrad research: Look through MIT’s UROP or MSRP programs and contact me or any group member with your CV and interests.

Mauricio Barcelos-Haag

2025 –

I’m Mauricio (he/him), a Molina Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT. I was born in Brazil and earned my Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from the University of Toronto (Canada). My research investigates how lithology and climate influence landscape evolution. I combine fieldwork, rock strength mapping, topographic analysis, and cosmogenic nuclide methods to understand the pace at which landscapes evolve. In my free time, I enjoy cycling, painting, playing guitar, and walking my dog, Pepita.

Hi! I’m Grace (she/her). I’m a PhD candidate in Planetary Sciences at MIT. I study planetary surface evolution on Mars and Earth. My research integrates numerical modeling, remote sensing data analysis, and geomorphology to deepen our understanding of the water cycle on early Mars. I am also involved with various mentorship projects in the department with the goal of making EAPS an even more connected and supportive environment.  Outside of the Green Building, I enjoy pottery, reading, cycling, and cooking.  

Hi there! I’m Ze-Wen (she/her), a PhD student in Planetary Science. I’m interested in the formation and evolution of planetary landscapes, and how they relate to global climate mechanisms and habitability. Currently, my research focuses primarily on rivers and lakes on Earth, Mars and Titan, and how they reflect past or present hydrological cycles. Before this, I obtained a B.A. in Physics and Computer Science at Cornell University. I grew up in Malaysia, and I love spending my time cooking dishes from home, playing board games, and watercolor painting!

Jensen Lawrence

2024 –

I’m Jensen (he/him), a PhD student in MIT’s Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. My scientific interests are summarized by two broad questions: how do planetary systems form and evolve, and how do the surfaces and climates of terrestrial planetary bodies change over time? To address the former question, I conduct research in Prof. Richard Teague’s Planet Formation Lab. To address the latter question, I work with the Gaia Lab, using remote sensing data and computational models to study Mars’s geomorphic history. Previously, I obtained a BSc in mathematical physics from the University of Waterloo. In my free time I love to explore nature and study other languages.

Maurielle Noto

2025 –

I’m Maurielle, a 5th year masters at MIT majoring in Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science with a minor in Astronomy. My fascination lies in astrobiology, and I aspire to explore how a planet’s climate and geography influence the potential for life. Currently, I am determining the global distribution of valley widths on Mars. Beyond the lab, I find joy in walking around Boston, baking, and going to the beach.

Amy Chen

2025

Hey! I’m Amy (she/her) and I am an undergraduate student at MIT studying Architecture and Planetary Sciences. I am currently working on analyzing terrestrial surface evolution through flow accumulation and related hydrological fluvial processes, ultimately relating to the early history of Mars. I would like to use my knowledge in planetary surface evolution and geology to build better habitats for humans in the extraterrestrial environment. In my own times, I like to take photos, draw, and collect Legos and model kits!

Io Mitchell de Quay

2024 –

I don’t know a lot about geomorphology or planetary science (despite my name), but I do enjoy sleeping, treats, chasing squirrels, and eating sticks. I can usually be found in my dad’s office in 54-1022 or my mom’s office in 54-510, if you ever want to stop by and discuss some ideas (= give me some attention).

Charlotte Whitworth

Undergrad (2024-2025)

Hello! My name is Charlotte, and I’m an exchange student from Imperial College London studying Earth and Planetary Sciences. I’m currently undertaking a UROP with Grace, researching how impact cratering influences drainage density on Mars. In my free time, I enjoy running, learning new languages, and cooking.

Peyton Musembi

Undergrad/UROP (2025)

Project: Measuring and dating landslides in the Valles Marineris region of Mars to reconstruct the past climate.

Chuanqi He

Postdoctoral Associate (2023 – 2025)

Project: Using flood outlets on Mars to constrain water cycles on Mars.
Currently: Associate Professor at Sun Yat-sen University (China). 

Kyra Smith

MSRP/Undergrad (2025)

Project: researching Martian impact craters, specifically how they modify over time and space.

Trent Thomas

Visiting Student (2024)

Project: Machine learning based tools to automatically map alluvial fans on Earth and Mars.

Scout Painter

Undergrad/UROP (2023-2024)

Project: Researching the relationship between climate and river morphology on volcanic islands in the Atlantic.

Lou Lahn

Undergrad/UROP (2024)

Project: Analyzing the dry river beds of Lanzarote, Spain to determine the hydrological conditions necessary to form channel morphologies.

Vespera Luo

Visiting Student (2023)

Project: Mapping hillslopes on Martian craters to determin early climate conditions (warm vs. cold).

Olivia Avelino

Undergrad/UROP (2023)

Project: Analyzing correlations between stream order and different environmental factors globally.

Gabriel Vargas

Undergrad/UROP (2023)

Project: Modeling the relationship between biodiversity and catchment systems globally.