Westwood Lecture Series: Roger Wiens

Roger Wiens, professor of earth, atmospheric, and planetary sciences in the College of Science, will present his groundbreaking research on the spectacular failures and brilliant successes on the path to Mars: how we’re finding potential biosignatures there and paving the way for astronauts.

Wiens is a leading planetary scientist with extensive expertise in Mars exploration and spectroscopy instrument development. He is a senior fellow at Los Alamos National Laboratory and leads the international SuperCam team on NASA’s Perseverance rover, which deployed in Jezero Crater in 2021. In this lecture, Wiens will highlight his work with both ChemCam and SuperCam on NASA’s rover, innovative instruments that have revolutionized the study of Mars’ surface.

This event also celebrates Wiens’ 2024 Herbert Newby McCoy Award, Purdue’s highest honor for contributions to the natural sciences, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to planetary science and instrumental role in advancing NASA’s Mars exploration efforts.

The Westwood Lecture Series is a program aimed at enhancing the intellectual vibrancy of the West Lafayette campus.

Each lecture will take place from 4:30-5:30 p.m. at Westwood, the Purdue president’s residence.

Space is limited to the first 50 faculty who register online.