Paulina Hitalia Lopez Torres
Environmental engineering
Hometown: San Luis, Arizona, United States
Graduation date: Spring 2027
Additional details: First-generation college student
FURI | Spring 2026
Large-scale Detoxification and Bioweathering of Martian Regolith
High concentrations of perchlorate in Martian regolith limit its suitability for agriculture and pose significant risks to human health. Conventional electrochemical or physicochemical treatments are energy-intensive and impractical for future long-term space exploration missions. This research project evaluates the use of MARC (Martian Analogue Remediation Culture) enrichment culture as an alternative to biologically reducing perchlorate concentrations at the kilogram-scale under simulated Martian conditions. Demonstrating scalable microbial treatment will help determine if it is a viable approach for in situ remediation and support the development of regolith as a plant growth medium.
Mentor: Anca Delgado
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