Giovanni Poggiali

✦ About me ✦

Astrobiology and planetology are exciting interdisciplinary research fields with ambitious goals. They require synergy between different fields of study, therefore I'm tring to expand my knowledge in different complementary fields, and at the same time, forge important relationships with other researchers from different scientific fields. 

My master degree and my PhD were obtained under the supervision of Prof. John Robert Brucato at the University of Florence in collaboration with the INAF-Observatory of Arcetri. 

My scientific activity is so far focused on infrared spectroscopy both remote sensing analysis and laboratory measurements, with additional expertise in analog samples creation and biomarker preservation studies in simulated planetary environments. I work on comparison between laboratory and remote sensing data to support the interpretation of observations collected on planetary surfaces by space missions exploring the Solar System. 

I'm currently member and collaborator of several space mission teams exploring asteroid and planetary surfaces. 

I'm CO-I of JAXA MMX, the Japanese mission aimed to study the Martian system, including the Red Planet and its two moons, and to bring back a sample from Phobos, the largest moon. Mission is under development scheduled to be launch in 2024. I'm working on instrument calibration/development and scientific analysis of mission target Phobos and Deimos, the two moons of Mars, in preparation to mission observations.

I’m member of NASA Mars2020 Perseverance team as a collaborator of PS Teresa Fornaro, contribuiting in laboratory analyses, analog preparation and remote sensing data interpreation to support investigations on biomarker survival on Mars surface in particular from SHERLOC and SuperCam instruments.

I'm member of ESA Hera mission team to explore the binary asteroid Didymos-Dimorphos former target of the DART/LICIACube mission. I'm involved in laboratory support to all the instrument team and part of Data Exploitation and Ground Observation working groups.

I was mission scientist of ASI LICIACube mission in the framework of NASA DART planetary defence mission with the aim to test the kinetic impactor technique to succesfully deflect potentially hazardous asteroids. In the mission team working on multicolor data analysis from LUKE camera and experimental laboratory support to ground and space observations of the mission target. As LICIACube scientist I was also collaborator of NASA DART space mission.

I was member of the science team of NASA OSIRIS-REx sample return mission collaborating to infrared spectroscopy and thermal analyses of OVIRS and OTES data, the two spectrometer on board the mission. I partecipated in the scientific mission phase during the time when the spacecraft was orbiting the asteroid Bennu. I collaborated in the analysis of possible landing site on the asteroid surface until the final sampling.

I'm also involved in educational programs and activities for adults and childrens and I'm an environmental volunteers, check the "Other activities" section for more information.