Dr Maisie Rashman

I am a PDRA in Observational Astrochemistry with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) at the Open University, where I study the formation and evolution of ice in pre- and protostellar environments.

Professional Biography

While my current focus is in leveraging JWST’s unrivalled sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities to probe ice chemistry in star-forming regions, my primary expertise lies in the development and deployment of infrared instrumentation for astronomy and planetary science. During my PhD, I designed, built, and commissioned a low-cost mid-infrared imaging system, first for ecological monitoring and later for astronomical use on 1–2 m class telescopes. 

Since completing my PhD in 2020, I have held positions as a Postdoctoral Scholar working with the Echelon-Cross-Echelle Spectrograph (EXES) at UC Davis (2020–2022), an Instrument Scientist on NASA's Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy (SOFIA mission (2022–2023), and as a PDRA in the University of Oxford’s Space Instrumentation Group (2023-2024) contributing to the development of NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer and ESA’s F-class Comet Interceptor and M-class Ariel missions.

Research Interests

• Ice chemistry
• Infrared instrumentation
• Observational astronomy
• Near- and mid-infrared spectroscopy
• Star formation

Impact and Engagement

• LJMU Faculty Pro-Vice Chancellor’s Prize for Best Thesis - 2021.
• LJMU Community Contribution Award in recognition for contributions to outreach - 2019.
• Interviews for national radio and podcasts, including BBC World Service.
• Interviews for international magazine articles, documentaries and press-releases.