CV

STEPHANIE G. Jarmak, Ph.D.
Research Scientist
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), Space Science Division

Ph.D., Physics – Planetary Sciences track, University of Central Florida (UCF), 2020
M.S., Physics, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2015
B.S., Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), 2013

Dr. Jarmak is a planetary scientist with a breadth of space science and engineering experience including astronomical and spacecraft data analysis, design of microgravity laboratory and flight experiments, spacecraft mission design, and CubeSat mission involvement. Her current focus is on investigating Saturn’s rings through Cassini spacecraft data, studying the asteroid (16) Psyche with the James Webb Space Telescope, assisting with Europa Clipper UVS observation planning, and studying granular processes on Mars. She currently assists the small body science community by serving as the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group early career secretary.

Dr. Jarmak’s astronomical and spacecraft data analysis experience includes acquisition and analysis of exoplanet transit photometry data for undergraduate and Master’s theses projects, analyzing Cassini ring occultation data, and leading a successful proposal to observe the asteroid (16) Psyche with the James Webb Space Telescope. Dr. Jarmak also led ground-based and flight-based microgravity experiment campaigns investigating low velocity collisions between particles relevant to the earliest stages of planet formation and the exploration of small, airless bodies. She also served as the Principal Investigator for the 2018 JPL Planetary Science Summer Seminar where she led a group of early career scientists and engineers in the design of a New Frontiers Uranus orbiter mission concept. Dr. Jarmak has also contributed significantly to the Q-PACE CubeSat mission through extensive input to the experimental design, design of the attitude control system, implementation of a data compression solution, and assessment of the spacecraft’s power and communication capabilities. She continues to use her experience with granular mechanics in various gravity and atmospheric conditions to assist with various projects from investigating granular flows on Mars to assessing dust risks for lunar missions.

SELECT PUBLICATIONS:

• Jarmak, S., et al., Solar Occultation Observations of Saturn’s Rings with Cassini UVIS, Icarus 388 (2022)
• Jarmak, S., et al., The Adhesive Response of Regolith to Low-Energy Disturbances in Microgravity Gravitational and Space Research 9 (2021) 1-12.
• Jarmak, S., et al., QUEST: A New Frontier Uranus orbiter mission concept study, Acta Astronaut. 170 (2020) 6-26.
• Jarmak, S., et al., CubeSat Particle Aggregation Collision Experiment (Q-PACE): Design of a 3U CubeSat Mission to Investigate Planetesimal Formation, Acta Astronaut. 155 (2019) 131-142.

SELECT AWARDS & PROFESSIONAL SERVICE:

• NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group Early Career Secretary (2021 – 2024)
• Gordon Research Seminar – Origins of Solar System Chair (upcoming 2023 meeting)
• Outreach presentations for Scobee Education Center, Astronomy on Tap, Skype a Scientist, Girl Scouts
• University of Central Florida’s Order of Pegasus Award, 2020

PROFESSIONAL CHRONOLOGY: MIT: undergraduate teaching assistant, 2010-11; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT): undergraduate researcher, 2010-12; MIT: computing help desk consultant, 2009-11; Texas A&M University-Commerce: graduate research assistant, 2013-15; UCF: graduate teaching assistant, 2015; UCF graduate research assistant, 2016-20; SwRI: postdoctoral researcher, 2020-2022; SwRI: research scientist: 2022-present.