Dr. Darlene Lim is a geobiologist based at the NASA Ames Research Center in California. Darlene leads several NASA-funded research programs that are focused on blending field science research with the development of capabilities and concepts for future human spaceflight into deep space and Mars. She is the Principal Investigator of the NASA-funded SUBSEA, BASALT and Pavilion Lake research programs, and the Deputy PI of the NASA SSERVI FINESSE research program. Darlene has served on a number of NASA Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group committees and was the MEPAG Goal IV (Prepare for Human Exploration) Co-Chair from 2009-2016. 
Darlene is a passionate promoter of science and exploration education and outreach efforts, and founded the Haven House Family Shelter STEM Explorers& Speakers Series, which from 2012 – 2015, enabled NASA and academic researchers to conduct educational sessions with homeless children in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Born: 1972

Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Education: Ph.D. in Geology Occupation: Geobiologist and exobiologist who prepares astronauts for scientific exploration of the Moon, Deep Space and Mars

Expeditions: Very happily, I can report many!

Favorite Place: Don’t make me choose

Best Discovery: It is possible for an Earth-based science team to have a meaningful scientific conversation with a Mars crew during an EVA despite the inherent communications latency between the two planets

Favorite Item In The Field: A Swiss Army knife my mom gave me when I was a wee one

Personal Heroes: Working parents who are making it work one day at a time

Hobbies: Running and traveling with my family

Website: www.darlenelimology.com

Advice: From mom: “Failures are tests to see if you can handle success”; from me “If you make it to see Hamilton, bring a box of Kleenex!”