Research Interests
I seek to
understand how planetary landscapes evolve. I accomplish this using remote
sensing data (mainly visible-wavelength images and laser topography) and with
laboratory experiments. My current interests include:
·
Tracking
and quantifying sand ripple and sand dune slipface migration on Mars using the
HiRISE camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, on which I am a Collaborator. My
aeolian interest extends to Titan, Venus, Earth, and Comet 67P.
·
Mapping
paleo-aeolian deposits on Mars to infer past aeolian regimes informed from
current aeolian processes.
·
Using
low-gravity platforms (e.g., parabolic aircraft flights) for experiments into
ejecta emplacement on small solar system bodies.
·
Simulating
the granular dynamics and resulting morphology of impact crater ejecta
emplacement in a lab setting, applicable to any solid solar system body.
·
Interpretation
of geomorphology on Pluto and Charon; I am an affiliate member on the New
Horizons Geology and Geophysics Imaging Team. Mars and Pluto are surprising
analogs of each other in regards to sublimation-driven geology.
·
Human
spaceflight-enabled science; I am a qualified geological spacesuit test subject
with NASA/Johnson Space Center’s Crew and Thermal Systems Division. I have also
worked in astronaut geology training curriculum development.
·
Crater
counting and the surface retention age for the asteroid Gaspra.
·
Structural
geology controls on floods and volcanism at the Cerberus Fossae and Athabasca
Valles, Mars.
Education
PhD, Planetary Geology, The Johns
Hopkins University.
Dissertation title: Aeolian and Impact Crater Ejecta
Geomorphology and Dynamics.
Master of Science in Planetary Geology, Temple
University. 2011.
Thesis title: Structural Characterization of the
Cerberus Fossae and Implications for Paleodischarge of Athabasca Valles, Mars.
Continuing educational credits in geosciences, Western Michigan
University, 2008-2009
Bachelor of Arts in Physics; Mathematics minor, Houghton College, 2008
Occupational
Experience
Community Service
·
Executive secretary for a NASA grant review panel, 2017
·
Peer-reviewer for planetary science
journal Icarus, 2015, 2016.
·
Co-supervisor for undergraduate intern in planetary
geology, 2015.
·
Aeolian session chair for the Lunar and Planetary Science
Conference aeolian geology session, 2015, 2016.
Human Spaceflight
·
Spacesuit test subject volunteer with NASA/JSC,
2015-present.
·
Test subjects volunteer for NASA’s
Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA) program (pending)
·
Spaceflight medical centrifuge test subject with
University of Texas Medical Branch and the National Aerospace Training and
Research Center (NASTAR), 2016.
·
Executive secretary with the Lunar Exploration Analysis
Group Geologic Astronaut Training Special Action Team (GAT-SAT), 2016.
Financial
·
Awarded the JHU/Applied Physics Laboratory Graduate Student fellowship
for three consecutive years, 2012-present.
·
Competitively won a NASA/JPL student travel
grant for the 4th International Planetary Dunes Workshop, 2015.
·
Competitively won multiple internal JHU/Earth and
Planetary Sciences department grants for educational travel, 2013-2015.
Political
·
Space policy activist speaking with Congressional staffers in the
House of Representatives and the Senate, 2014-present.
Other
·
Science consultant, Mohawk Games: Martian and planetary
geologic and spaceflight realism, 2014-present.
·
Taught math and science, lecture and lab: Spring
Arbor University, 2008; Temple University, 2009-2011; Holy Family University,
2011-2012.
·
Exploration Intern, Lunar and Planetary Institute, 2011.
·
Scientific literacy and inspiration public speaking engagements to general
audiences, 2008-present.
Mission Experience
New Horizons mission to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, 2014-present.
Geology and Geophysics Imaging group affiliate: I interpret and discuss the
photographed geology of Pluto and Charon and have been a co-author on two high
profile publications.
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter/HiRISE Camera at
Mars, 2013-present.
Collaborator: I assist in image planning and targeting, participate in science
team discussions and telecons, and promote education and public outreach.
Concurrent mission concept design at
APL iteratively integrating science and
engineering constraints for conceptual robotic missions to Titan, 2013.
Publications
Peer-Reviewed
Papers
Runyon,
K.D., Bridges, N.T., Ayoub,
F., Newman, C.E., and Quade, J.J., 2017, An integrated model for dune morphology
and sand flux on Mars, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 457, 204-212, doi:10.1016/j.epsl.2016.09.054.
Moore, J.M. and 40 others (including Runyon, K.), 2016, The Geology of Pluto
and Charon through the eyes of New Horizons: Science, 351, 1284-1293, DOI: 10.1126/science.aad7055.
Stern, A.S., and 150 others (including Runyon, K.), 2015, The Pluto system:
Initial results from its exploration by New Horizons: Science, 350,
1815-1:1815-8, DOI: 10.1126/science.aad1815.
Lemelin, M., Blair, D.M., Roberts, C.E., Runyon, K.D., Nowka, D., Kring, D.A.,
2015, High-priority lunar landing sites for in situ and sample return studies
of polar volatiles: Planetary and Space Sciences, 101, 149-161, DOI:
10.1016/j.pss.2014.07.002.
Conference Abstracts
(Selected)
Runyon,
K.D., Bridgets, N.T.,
Newman, C.E., 2017, Eroding Dunes? Characterization and implications of Martian
sand sheets: 48th LPSC, Abstract # 2187.
Runyon,
K.D., S.A. Stern, T.R.
Lauer W. Grundy, M.E. Summers, K.N. Singer, 2017, A geophysical planet
definition: 48th LPSC, Abstract #1448.
Runyon,
K.D., 2016, A successful
case study of teaching evolutionary geoscience literacy in a conservative
Christian church, GSA, Abstract #282890.
Runyon,
K.D., Bridges, N.T., 2016,
Morphology and dynamics of a Martian sand sheet, GSA, Abstract #282868.
Runyon,
K.D., Barnouin, O.S.,
2016, Ejecta Emplacement in the Lab: 47th LPSC, Abstract #1075.
Runyon,
K.D., Lisse,
C.M., Cheng, A.F., Bridges, N.T., Lewis, K., 2015, Controls on and
implications of aeolian geomorphology on comet 67P: 4th International Planetary
Dunes Workshop, Boise, ID, Abstract #8037.
Runyon,
K.D., Barnouin, O.S., 2015,
Gaspra's craters: Implications for production functions and surface processes:
46th LPSC, Abstract #2869.
Runyon,
K.D., Bridges, N.T., 2015,
Internal boundary layer control for sediment flux in Herschel Crater,
Mars: 4th International Planetary Dunes Workshop, Boise, ID, Abstract
#8021.
Bridges, N.T., Banks, M.E., Ayoub, F.,
Silvestro, S., Chojnacki, M.F., Geissler, P.E., Hansen, C.J., Mattson, S.S., Runyon, K.D., Russell, P.S., 2014,
Windy Mars: A Record of Bedform Migration and Sand Activity:
8th International Conference on Mars.
Runyon,
K.D., Bridges, N.T.,
Ayoub, F., Mattson, S., 2014, Aeolian Provinces and Activity in Herschel
Crater, Mars: 45th LPSC, Abstract #1495.
Runyon,
K.D., Barnouin, O.S., 2014,
Experimental Ejecta Emplacement: Early Results: 45th LPSC, Abstract #1071
Runyon,
K.D., 2013, Terrestrial
Meteorites as Preservers of Early Biomarkers: Implications for Selection of
Golden Spike Landing Sites: Workshop on Golden Spike Human Lunar Expeditions, Lunar
and Planetary Institute, Abstract #6020.
Runyon,
K.D., Barnouin, O.S., 2013,
Ejecta Emplacement and Regolith Gardening: An Experimental Investigation: 44th
LPSC, Abstract #2163.
Barnouin, O.S., Runyon, K.D., Susorney, H., Ernst, C.M., Wada, K., 2012,
Experimental Investigation of Ejecta Emplacement, 2012 GSA Annual Meeting, Session
No. 202, v. 44, no. 7, p. 482.
Runyon,
K.D., Blair, D.M., Lemelin,
M., Nowka, D., Roberts, C.E., Paige, D.A., Spudis, P., Kring, D.A., 2012,
Volatiles at the Lunar south pole: A case study for a mission to Amundsen
crater: 43rd LPSC, Abstract #1619.
Runyon,
K.D., Davatzes, A.K.,
Gulick, V.C., 2012, Putative active brine flows in the Cerberus Fossae, Mars: 43rd
LPSC, Abstract #2072.
Roberts, C.E., Blair, D.M., Lemelin, M.,
Nowka, D., Runyon, K.D., Paige,
D.A., Spudis, P.D., Kring, D.A., 2012, The potential for volatiles in the
intercrater highlands of the Lunar north pole: 43rd LPSC, Abstract
#1371.
Lemelin, M., Roberts, C.E., Blair,
D.M., Runyon, K.D., Nowka, D.,
Paige, D.A., Spudis, P.D., Kring, D.A., 2012, Finding volatiles on the Lunar
surface: An innovative multi-source ArcGIS-based approach: 43rd LPSC,
Abstract #1067.
Runyon,
K.D., Davatzes, A.K.,
Davatzes, N.C., 2011, Structural characterization of the Cerberus Fossae at the
Athabasca Valles source region, Mars: 42nd LPSC, Abstract# 1913.
Oral and Poster presentations: Multiple oral and poster
presentations at planetary science conferences and workshops per
year. 2011-present
Research Skills
GIS
ArcGIS (proficient),
GoogleEarth (highly skilled), Small Body Mapping Tool (highly skilled), JMARS
(proficient) ENVI (proficient), COSI-Corr (proficient), ISIS (familiar), SOCET
SET (familiar).
Computational
Matlab (proficient)
MS Excel (proficient), IDL (familiar).
Laboratory
and Field
Laboratory
experiment design, setup, implementation, and cleanup for sedimentary morphodynamics
(highly skilled); Field geology and field mapping (proficient).
Graphics
Adobe Photoshop
(highly skilled), Adobe Illustrator (proficient), QuickTime (highly skilled).
Memberships
·
The
Planetary Society, 2003-present.
·
Geological
Society of American student member, 2014-2015.
·
Astronauts
For Hire associate member, 2011-present.
Invited Talks
“Geology Across the
Solar System,” Guest Lecturer, Howard Community College Introductory Astronomy,
March 8, 2017.
“Morphology and
Dynamics of a Martian Sand Sheet,” Geological Society of America fall
conference, October, 2016.
"Planetary
Sedimentology: Impact Crater Ejecta Emplacement and Martian Sand Dunes,"
George Mason University geology colloquium series, January, 2016.
“From Pluto, With
Love,” Spring Arbor University science outreach series, August, 2015.
“Physical Modeling of Impact Crater Ejecta Emplacement,” Carnegie Department of
Terrestrial Magnetism, Spring, 2013.
“Crustal
Permeability of the Cerberus Fossae, Mars,” Houghton College Interdisciplinary
Science Seminar, Fall, 2010.
