crew227

Elisabeth Mauclet

Elisabeth Mauclet

Role : Crew Journalist
Studies : Environmental Sciences
Email : emauclet@ucltomars.org

Passionate about Sciences since high school, I studied Bioengineering at UCLouvain and I ended with a master in “Environmental Sciences and Technologies” in 2017. Afterwards, I found my way in the environmental field with an ongoing PhD research project working on Arctic permafrost. I’ve joined the European WeThaw project that studies the impact of global warming on the permafrost degradation and the release of a newly unlocked mineral pool. More specifically, I study the mineral element mobility through permafrost soil and the mineral soil-plant transfer, upon permafrost degradation.

I enjoy facing new challenges and learning more about the environment surrounding us. UCL to Mars is an exciting project, in which every member can rely on his specific background to think and create an innovative experiment, with an actual scientific interest for the Martian exploration.

UCL to Mars also makes the communication around the project and spatial general knowledge a priority. This last point join my desire to reduce the gap between the scientific community and the public. My starting experience in research makes me realize how important the knowledge sharing is!

Elisabeth’s project :
Fast assessment of mineral content on Martian-like soil with portable XRF device

Fast assessment of mineral content on Martian-like soil with portable XRF device

This experiment is about testing an innovative way to analyze Martian soil composition. At the MDRS, our goal is to provide a rapid and reliable assessment of Martian-like soil mineral content, which will contribute (i) to evaluate the suitability of these soils for food production and (ii) to study the potential ancient presence of liquid […]

Maxime de Streel

Maxime de Streel

Role : Crew Engineer
Studies : Computer Science & Engineering
Email : mdestreel@ucltomars.org

I am currently completing my master degree in Computer Science & Engineering at the Louvain School of Engineering. Passionate about astronomy and networks, I decided to link the two for my master thesis: ”Temporary infrastructures and ad-hoc networking for Mars explorers”.

Maxime’s project :

Cyril Wain

Cyril Wain

Role : Crew Astronomer
Studies : Electrical Engineering
Email : cwain@ucltomars.org

I am currently a master 2 student in Civil Engineering at Uclouvain. My passion for the space field pushed me to orient myself in the field of telecommunications. Indeed, I dream of working in a company that allows me to work on satellite communications or even satellite observations. It is with this goal in mind that I am currently realizing my master thesis on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).

I am involved in this adventure first in order to realize various experiences allowing me to gain in experience and know-how but also in order to meet passionate people who could teach me a lot about space.

This mission will also be the opportunity to live a unique experience of extreme confinement for 2 weeks. A challenge that my adventurous spirit is delighted to meet!

Cyril’s project :
Terrain modelling by Synthetic Aperture Radar

Terrain modelling by Synthetic Aperture Radar

As part of his thesis on the Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Cyril Wain will carry out an imaging campaign. SAR is a form of radar that is used to create 2D images or to perform 3D reconstructions of objects or landscapes. The principle of SAR is that it uses its motion to obtain radar images […]

Audrey Comein

Audrey Comein

Role : Crew Health and Safety Officer
Studies : Microbiology
Email : acomein@ucltomars.org

When I was a child, my interest in Nature and more precisely in the microorganisms that inhabit it pushed me towards my first microscope. Later, during my high school years, I found a passion for scientific research in the medical field. That’s why I decided to start  Biomedical Sciences studies. My favorite thematic? The study of human pathogens. Thus, after obtaining my Master’s degree, I began a PhD thesis in Microbiology and Pharmacology at the “Louvain Drug Research Institute” at UCLouvain. During my PhD thesis, I will study the intracellular fate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacterium causing major public health concerns in hospitals.

In addition to my PhD thesis, I am also a teaching assistant in Molecular and Cellular Biology in the Medicine faculty.

Audrey’s project :
Study of the survival of human flora bacteria as well as efficacy of several antibiotics under Martian environmental conditions.

Study of the survival of human flora bacteria as well as efficacy of several antibiotics under Martian environmental conditions.

When we will colonize Mars, we will not come alone: the microorganisms of the intestinal, oral, cutaneous flora, etc. will accompany us. It is therefore essential to predict what type of microorganisms in these floras would be able to survive and colonize Mars. Audrey proposes to carry out experiments to study the survival of some human flora bacteria and the efficacy of several antibiotics under Martian environmental conditions found on the mission site.

Arthur Monhonval

Arthur Monhonval

Role : Crew GreenHab Officer
Studies : Environmental Sciences
Email : amonhonval@ucltomars.org

I began my PhD thesis two years ago which deals with terrestrial permafrost regions, and more precisely the study of the consequences of climate warming on those ice- and organic-rich soils. I always had an interest about space and our Universe. So many discoveries and so many accomplishments have been made those last centuries. The UCL to Mars project was the ideal way to learn a bit more about space and Mars exploration. Permafrost study also triggered my interest about Mars exploration. Some similarities are observed between terrestrial permafrost landscapes and martian permafrost ones. The discovery of life within small salty liquid interface within ice on earth showed that life was establishing anywhere, even in extreme conditions. Why not on Mars ?   

Arthur’s project :
Fast assessment of mineral content on Martian-like soil with portable XRF device

Fast assessment of mineral content on Martian-like soil with portable XRF device

This experiment is about testing an innovative way to analyze Martian soil composition. At the MDRS, our goal is to provide a rapid and reliable assessment of Martian-like soil mineral content, which will contribute (i) to evaluate the suitability of these soils for food production and (ii) to study the potential ancient presence of liquid […]

Ophélie Remy

Ophélie Remy

Role : Crew Scientist
Studies : Microbiology
Email : oremy@ucltomars.org

Passionate about science, I am currently in the second year of my Biomedical Sciences PhD in microbiology in the LalouxLab. My research focuses on a fascinating predator, the bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, and its atypical cell cycle that causes the death of other bacteria.

Ophélie’s project :
Study of the efficacy of a potential living-antibiotic, the bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, inside and outside a research station in a Mars-like environment

Study of the efficacy of a potential living-antibiotic, the bacterium Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, inside and outside a research station in a Mars-like environment

Due to its particularity of killing other bacteria without killing human cells, Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is being studied as a serious alternative to antibiotics, especially against resistant strains. Moreover, unlike antibiotics, its effectiveness over time does not diminish, which is particularly relevant for long-term travels such as the transport and establishment of a colony on Mars. […]

Brieuc de Voghel

Brieuc de Vogel

Role : Crew Executive Officer
Studies : Computer Science & Engineering
Email : bdevoghel@ucltomars.org

I am a Computer Sciences & Engineering student, specializing in artificial intelligence. This experience will let me dive deeper into the technologies used in space missions. My objective is to explore the possibilities of data collection and monitoring, applicable to this Mars analog mission.

I also assume the role of Executive Officer of the M.A.R.S. UCLouvain 2020-21 team. My job is to ensure a proper preparation and realization of the mission.

Brieuc’s project :
Data collection and transmission over low-powered devices for station monitoring.

Data collection and transmission over low-powered devices for station monitoring.

By installing a series of low-powered sensors and transmitters, it will be possible to model the MRDS’s environment and extra-vehicular activities (temperature, humidity, pressure, brightness, etc.) in order to detect variations in the habitat, the greenhouse and along expeditions. The objective is to collect, transmit and analyze the data as efficiently as possible as we […]

Kilian Dekoninck

Kilian Dekoninck

Role : Crew Commander
Studies : Microbial Biochemistry
Email : kdekoninck@ucltomars.org

Graduated as a Bio-Engineer. I have started a PhD program in Microbiology and Biochemistry. Although I am highly passionate about the microscopic world, I always had a deep interest in the mysteries of the universe. This mission is the occasion to show how bacteria will allow humanity to explore space.

Kilian’s project :
Study of the survival of human flora bacteria as well as efficacy of several antibiotics under Martian environmental conditions.

Study of the survival of human flora bacteria as well as efficacy of several antibiotics under Martian environmental conditions.

When we will colonize Mars, we will not come alone: the microorganisms of the intestinal, oral, cutaneous flora, etc. will accompany us. It is therefore essential to predict what type of microorganisms in these floras would be able to survive and colonize Mars. Audrey proposes to carry out experiments to study the survival of some human flora bacteria and the efficacy of several antibiotics under Martian environmental conditions found on the mission site.

© M.A.R.S. UCLouvain 2020