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Merve Yesilbas explores the role of water in sustaining life and the potential for human exploration of Mars using spectroscopy to advance planetary geochemistry and astrobiology. Her research focuses on bio(geo)chemical changes on Mars by examining extreme environments on Earth, such as the coldest tundras in Antarctica and the hottest volcanic regions like Hawaii and Iceland. This involves the study of 'Mars analogues' in these extreme environments to understand how minerals and rocks preserve water and initiate life-sustaining reactions. Additionally, she connects laboratory data with spacecraft data, including CRISM, HiRISE, and Curiosity, in the search for life on Earth. Her interdisciplinary research combines bio(geo)chemistry, astrobiology, and planetary science to understand the role of water in supporting life and the potential for human exploration of Mars, addressing the fundamental question of whether life ever existed on Mars. She collaborates with leading institutions such as SETI and NASA and has received support from the Swedish Research Council, Umeå University, the Kempe Foundation, the Carl Tryggers Foundation, and the European Science Foundation.
Requirements are standard for Master's programs across Social Sciences and Humanities at Umeå. English 6 proficiency is the general rule.