Dr Rachael Hamp

Professional biography

2023-Present PDRA in Planetary Geochemsitry - The spectral fingerprint of cryovolcanism: Provelance and prevalence of cryovolcanic deposits on the surface of Europa 

2022-2023 PDRA in Planetary Geochemistry - Experimental Simulation of Enceladus Ocean Floor 

2021-2022 Research Assistant/PDRA role in Laboratory Astrophysics 

2017-2022 PhD in Geochemical cycling in the subsurface ocean of Enceladus with AstrobiologyOU 

Research interests

All of my research has an overarching aim to understand the geochemical processes occurring on icy worlds, from interior water-rock reactions to surface ice processes. Understanding these processes is essential context required for upcoming missions to the moons of the outer Solar System, and to assess the potential habitability of these ocean worlds. In particular my work focuses on:

• Cryogenic experimental freezing of brine solutions to assess the effect cryovolcanic process have on both composition and structure of surface ice deposits on ocean worlds. This is essential to understand how ocean material may be expressed on the surface and be able to correctly interpret data from space missions. 
• Thermochemical modelling of water-rock interactions to assess the chemical composition and physical parameters of the ocean and potential habitability of ocean worlds.
• Experimental simulation of the subsurface environments to determine ocean composition and geochemical process occurring on icy worlds to assess potential habitability.