We are delighted to announce that Dr. Victoria E. Hamilton, Chairperson of NASA’s Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG), will be a featured plenary speaker at the 2025 International Mars Society Convention, to be held this October at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
A distinguished planetary geologist with the Southwest Research Institute, Dr. Hamilton’s expertise spans the mineralogy of planetary surfaces, meteorites, and returned samples—specializing in infrared spectroscopy of Mars, Earth, and even Venus.
After earning her degree in geology as a junior at Occidental College, she found her calling during a transformative summer internship at JPL, mapping Venus’s radar images for the Magellan mission. She went on to earn her Ph.D. through work involving lab spectroscopy and Mars Odyssey’s THEMIS instrument, followed by roles as a participating scientist on the Mars Science Laboratory mission and deputy instrument scientist for a New Frontiers thermal‑infrared instrument.
In her capacity as MEPAG Chair, Dr. Hamilton orchestrates the community-based, interdisciplinary process that defines scientific objectives and guides strategic planning for current and future Mars missions. Her forthcoming plenary session will offer attendees a compelling look into how MEPAG prioritizes high‑value targets, steers the Mars Sample Return architecture, and fosters global scientific collaboration.
Don’t miss this rare chance to hear from one of Mars exploration’s foremost leaders. For registration information and full program details, visit marssociety.org.
We look forward to welcoming researchers, students, and Mars enthusiasts alike to what promises to be an illuminating and inspirational gathering this October.
