Ms Rita Carvalho Serra

2025 - present | The Open University | PhD - AstrobiologyOU: "To the lifeboats: Fluid inclusions as the last habitable environments on Mars"

2022 - 2024 | University of Naples Federico II | MSc – Biology of Extreme Environments | Cum laude

2018 - 2021 | University Nova of Lisbon | BSc – Cell and Molecular Biology

I find exploring the world through a microbiology lens fascinating. I have had the opportunity to work with arctic microalgae, microbes from the deep subsurface in a tectonic inactive zone, and with Bacillus subtilis spores for a CubeSat experiment. Now, the adventure continues as I am fortunate to be a new Post Graduate Student within AstrobiologyOU. I am working on a UK Space Agency funded project that focuses on the effect of Mars-relevant salts on the preservation of biological materials in fluid inclusions, under the guidance of Dr. Michael Macey, Dr. Vic Pearson, and Dr. Terry McGenity. Studying the variability of Martian environments and fluid chemistries and their impact on microbial life is important to gain insight into strategies for life detection. My research interests include biosignatures, Martian habitability, and extreme environments.

Awards

Third Prize Winner at the European Space Agency (ESA) Space Omics Hackathon using NASA’s GeneLab repository | Team Gravitas 2024 

ESA travel grant for ESA/ELGRA Gravity-related studies Summer School | 2023 

Best oral presentation at the Symposium of Biology Students in Europe | 2022 

Selected outreach

Pen Pal Scientist - Letters to a Pre-Scientist Pen Pal | 2025-2026 (USA)

TEDx Unina Curation Team member | 2025 (IT)

International Space University – Space studies program Event Volunteer | 2022 (PT)