Dr. Aditya Khuller

Aditya Khuller is a Postdoctoral Researcher at JPL. His research interests include studying planetary ices, surface processes and atmospheres using a combination of numerical modeling, remote sensing data (Visible/Near-infrared, Thermal Infrared, Radar, and Microwave wavelengths) and geological mapping. He also has experience with NASA flight hardware development and testing for thermal infrared instruments, CubeSat electric propulsion, and mission operations software.


Education: 
  • Ph.D., Geological Sciences, Arizona State University (2023)
  • M.S., Geological Sciences, Arizona State University (2021)
  • B.S.E., Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University (2019)

Research Interests: 

Planetary Ices, Surface Processes, Surface-Atmosphere Processes, Radiative Transfer, Turbulence in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Spectroscopy, Thermophysics, Gullies, Aeolian Geomorphology, Climate evolution, Volcanism, Electric Propulsion, Remote Sensing Instrument Development.


Professional Experience: 
  • JPL, Postdoctoral Researcher (2023-present)
  • Arizona State University, Graduate Student Researcher (2019-2023)
  • JPL, Graduate Student Researcher (2019-2023)
  • JPL, Undergraduate Student Researcher (2016-2019)
  • Sun Devil Satellite Laboratory, CubeSat Pulsed Plasma Thruster Chief Systems Engineer (2016-2019)
  • Mars Space Flight Facility, Undergraduate Researcher (2016-2019)
  • Phoenix CubeSat, Mission Operations & Electrical Power Engineer (2015-2018)
  • ASU, Materials Science Lab Researcher (2016-2018)

Selected Awards: 
  • ASU Outstanding Graduate Research Award (2022)
  • IPSL Early Career Scientist Award (2022)
  • R. Greeley Planetary Geology Scholarship (2018)
  • Bidstrup Research Award (2016, 2017)

Selected Publications: 
  1. Khuller, A.R., Clow, G.D., Christensen, P.R., Warren, S.G. (in prep.). An Improved Model of Ice Melt and Sublimation on Mars: Implications for Present-Day Liquid Water.
  2. Khuller, A.R. and Clow, G.D., (in prep.). Turbulent Fluxes, Evaporation & Sublimation Rates on Terrestrial Planetary Bodies & Exoplanets.
  3. Braunisch, S., Khuller, A.R., Orlando, E.J., Blaske, C.H., Christensen, P.R., (in prep). Mapping Exposed Dusty Water Ice in Martian Gullies.
  4. Khuller, A.R., Christensen, P.R., Diniega S., Harrison, T.N., (in prep.). The Formation of Near-surface Frosts on Mars.
  5. Landis M., Acharya, P.J., Alsaeed, N.R., Andres C., Becerra P., Calvin, W.M., Cangi, E.M., Cartwright, S.F.A.; Chaffin, M.S.; Diniega, S., Dundas, C. M., Hansen, C.J., Hayne, P.O., Herkenhoff, K.E., Kass, D.M., Khuller, A.R., McKeown, L., Russell, P.S., Smith, I.B., Sutton, S.S., Widmer, J.M., Whitten, J.L., (submitted). Polar Science Results from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Multiwavelength, multiyear insights.
  6. Khuller, A.R. and Christensen, P.R., (2021). Evidence of Exposed Dusty Water Ice within Martian Gullies. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
  7. Khuller, A.R. and Plaut, J.J. (2021). Characteristics of the Basal Interface of the Martian South Polar Layered Deposits. Geophysical Research Letters.
  8. Khuller, A.R., Christensen, P.R., S.G. Warren, (2021). Spectral Albedo of Dusty Martian H2O Snow and Ice. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
  9. Khuller, A.R., Christensen, P.R., Harrison, T.N., Diniega S., (2021). The Distribution of Frosts on Mars: Links to Present-Day Gully Activity. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets.
  10. Khuller, A.R., Kerber, L., Schwamb, M.E., Beer, S., Nogal, F., Perry, R., Hood, W., Aye, K.-M., Portyankina, G., Hansen, C.J., (2021). Irregular Polygonal Ridge Networks in Arabia Terra, Nili Fossae and Nilosyrtis. Icarus.
  11. Khuller, A.R., Alavi, O., Mayer, J., Lanes, T., Needham, P., Rajagopalan, S.S., Curiel, A., Bonelli, D., Thompson, E., Miller, R., Grayson, M., Sandys, N., White, D.B., Mikellides, P.G., (2018). Pulsed Plasma Thruster for Multi-Axis CubeSat Attitude Control Applications. 54th AIAA Joint Propulsion Conference and Exhibit.
Address: 
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, CA 91109
Email: 
akhuller@jpl.nasa.gov