Edgard Rivera-Valentín

Dr. Edgard G. Rivera-Valentín is a planetary scientist whose work focuses on applications for planetary protection policies and planetary defense strategies. They study surface processes with implications for planetary habitability and use ground- and space-based radar observations to characterize asteroids and planetary surfaces. Some of their research interests include brines as an ecological system on Mars and across the Solar System, as well as the formation and evolution of subsurface icy reservoirs. Ed is a Science Investigation Team Member on the NEO Surveyor mission, the Planetary Defense Lead for the OSIRIS-APEX mission, and a Science Team Member on the Mini-RF radar instrument onboard the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. They are also a team member of the planetary radar science group of the Arecibo Observatory and they collaborate with the Goldstone Solar System Radar group. Additionally, Ed works to serve the planetary science community as an editor for the Planetary Science Journal and as a member of the National Academies' Committee on Astrobiology and Planetary Science. Much of their service work focuses on projects that help to progress the principles of inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility in the field.