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Aditya Khuller Senior Research Scientist akhuller@uw.edu |
Research Interests
Planetary Ices, Surface Processes, SurfaceAtmosphere Processes, Radiative Transfer, Turbulence in the Atmospheric Boundary Layer, Spectroscopy, Thermophysics, Gullies, Aeolian Geomorphology, Climate evolution, Volcanism, Electric Propulsion, Remote Sensing Instrument Development
Biosketch
Dr. Khuller's research interests include studying planetary ices, surface processes and atmospheres using a combination of numerical modeling, remote sensing data (Visible/Near-infrared, Thermal Infrared, Radar, and Microwave wavelengths) and geological mapping.
Before joining APL-UW in late 2024, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he gained experience with NASA flight hardware development and testing for thermal infrared instruments, CubeSat electric propulsion, and mission operations software.
Education
B.S.E. Aerospace Engineering, Arizona State University, 2019
M.S. Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, 2021
Ph.D. Geological Sciences, Arizona State University, 2023
Publications |
2000-present and while at APL-UW |
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Satellite-aided disaster response Rolla, J., A. Khuller, K. An, R. Emberson, E. Fielding, L. Schultz, and K. Miner, "Satellite-aided disaster response," AGU Adv., 6, doi:10.1029/2024AV001395, 2025. |
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6 Feb 2025 ![]() |
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The increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, driven by climate change and anthropogenic activities, pose unprecedented challenges to emergency response agencies worldwide. Satellite remote sensing has become a critical tool for providing timely and accurate data to aid in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. This Commentary explores the role of satellite remote sensing in managing climate-driven disasters, highlighting the use of technologies such as Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for creating damage proxy maps. These maps are instrumental in assessing disaster impacts and guiding response efforts, as demonstrated by the 2023 Wildfires in Hawaii. Despite the promise of these tools, challenges remain, including the need for rapid data processing, automation in data pipelines, and robust international collaborations. The future missions composing the Earth System Observatory, including the upcoming NASA-ISRO SAR mission, represents a significant advancement with its global coverage and frequent, detailed measurements. This study emphasizes the importance of continued investment in advanced satellite technologies and international cooperation to enhance disaster response capabilities, ultimately building a more resilient global community. |
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Potential for photosynthesis on Mars within snow and ice Khuller, A.R., S.G. Warren, P.R. Christensen, and G.D. Clow, "Potential for photosynthesis on Mars within snow and ice," Commun. Earth Environ., 5, doi:10.1038/s43247-024-01730-y, 2024. |
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17 Oct 2024 ![]() |
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On Earth, solar radiation can transmit down to multiple metres within ice, depending on its optical properties. Organisms within ice can harness energy from photosynthetically active radiation while being protected from damaging ultraviolet radiation. On Mars, the lack of an effective ozone shield allows ~30% more damaging ultraviolet radiation to reach the surface in comparison with Earth. However, our radiative transfer modelling shows that despite the intense surface ultraviolet radiation, there are radiatively habitable zones within exposed mid-latitude ice on Mars, at depths ranging from a few centimetres for ice with 0.010.1% dust, and up to a few metres within cleaner ice. Numerical models predict that dense dusty snow in the martian mid-latitudes can melt below the surface at present. Thus, if small amounts of liquid water are available at these depths, mid-latitude ice exposures could represent the most easily accessible locations to search for extant life on Mars. |
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Polar science results from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Multiwavelength, multiyear insights Landis, M.E., and 20 others including A.R. Khuller, "Polar science results from Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter: Multiwavelength, multiyear insights," Icarus, 419, doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2023.115794, 2024. |
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1 Sep 2024 ![]() |
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Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), with its arrival in 2006 and nearly continuous operation since, has provided data for the study of martian polar processes spanning nine Mars years. Mars' polar deposits have long been thought to preserve records of past climates, potentially readable like terrestrial ice cores. However, unraveling millions of years of history in the ice depends on understanding Mars' current and recent-past climate, including the interactions of atmospheric and surface processes. MRO has allowed for revolutionary discoveries, long-term monitoring of ongoing processes, and multiple complementary datasets to address the question of how the polar ice deposits reflect climatological changes. In part, MRO has been able to do this from its variety of instrumentation simultaneously observing interannual changes in geomorphology of the surface in up to ~25 cm/pixel detail, repeatable processes and changes in the atmosphere, and surface composition, as well as investigating signs of past changes recorded in the icy polar layered deposits. In this paper, we summarize the contribution of MRO to our current understanding of Mars polar science, and in particular how MRO's long-duration mission has improved our understanding of the fundamental volatile cycles on Mars. |
In The News
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Searching for life beneath the ice on Mars (Video) FOX 13 News Seattle A new study from NASA explores the possibility of life on Mars. The lead researcher has recently joined the Applied Physics Lab at UW. |
24 Oct 2024
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Could life exist below Mars ice? NASA study proposes possibilities NASA While actual evidence for life on Mars has never been found, a new NASA study proposes microbes could find a potential home beneath frozen water on the planet's surface. Through computer modeling, the study's authors have shown that the amount of sunlight that can shine through water ice would be enough for photosynthesis to occur in shallow pools of meltwater below the surface of that ice. |
17 Oct 2024
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Life could exist on Mars in shallow meltwater pools below icy surface, study suggests UW News Scientists have yet to find evidence of life on Mars, but a new study suggests microbes could find a potential home beneath layers of ice known to exist on Mars’ surface. "If we’re trying to find life anywhere in the universe today, Martian ice exposures are probably one of the most accessible places we should be looking," said lead author Aditya Khuller. |
17 Oct 2024
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