SHALENECLARK

I am SHALENE CLARK, an astrophysicist and exoplanetary scientist specializing in decoding the chemical fingerprints of exoplanet atmospheres to unravel their formation, evolution, and potential habitability. With a Ph.D. in Exoplanetary Spectroscopy (California Institute of Technology, 2022) and the 2024 NASA Early Career Achievement Medal, I have revolutionized atmospheric retrieval techniques by merging high-resolution spectroscopy, Bayesian statistics, and machine learning. As the Lead Scientist at the ExoAtmospheres Research Consortium and Principal Investigator of the ESA-funded Ariel Legacy Archive Project, I bridge observational astronomy, atmospheric chemistry, and computational physics. My 2023 development of ATMO-DEEP, a neural network framework that reduced retrieval uncertainties by 60% for JWST/NIRSpec data, is now a standard tool in 30+ observatories and recognized by the International Astronomical Union as a "paradigm shift in exoplanet characterization."

Research Motivation

Exoplanet atmospheres hold clues to cosmic chemistry and biological potential, yet current retrieval methods face three critical barriers:

1. Sparse Spectral Data: Limited wavelength coverage and noise in transit/eclipse spectra hinder molecular detection.

2. Model-Dependent Biases: Degeneracies between temperature profiles, cloud properties, and gas abundances.

3. Dynamic Atmospheres: Capturing temporal variations (e.g., storms, photochemical hazes) in static retrieval models.

My work redefines atmospheric retrieval as a 4D spatiotemporal problem, integrating time-series spectroscopy, 3D general circulation models (GCMs), and laboratory photochemical data to map exoplanet atmospheres in motion.

Methodological Framework

My research synergizes observational data, forward modeling, and statistical inference:

1. High-Resolution Spectral Retrieval

• Developed MOLECULE-X:

  • A GPU-accelerated Bayesian framework combining cross-correlation and likelihood-free inference to detect trace gases (e.g., CH₃Cl, C₂H₂) in high-noise spectra.

  • Identified volcanic SO₂ in the super-Earth 55 Cancri e’s terminator region (5.2σ confidence), supporting magma ocean models.

  • Adopted by the ESO CRIRES+ team for ground-based exoplanet surveys.

2. Multi-Wavelength Cloud Mapping

• Engineered CLOUDLESS:

  • A hybrid model using VLT/SPHERE polarimetry and HST/STIS phase curves to disentangle cloud compositions (silicates vs. KCl) and vertical structures.

  • Mapped the patchy cloud distribution on WASP-121b, explaining its hemispheric albedo asymmetry.

  • Integrated into NASA’s HabEx Mission simulator for telescope design optimization.

3. Dynamic Atmospheric Tomography

• Launched WINDSWEPT:

  • A GCM-coupled retrieval system reconstructing 3D wind patterns and chemical advection from Doppler phase curves.

  • Detected equatorial jets on HD 189733b with speeds exceeding 2 km/s, reconciling Hα absorption and thermal emission discrepancies.

  • Licensed by SpaceX’s Starlab for real-time exoweather forecasting.

Technical and Ethical Innovations

1. Open-Source Retrieval Ecosystem

   • Founded ExoRetrieval Hub:

     • A collaborative platform sharing forward models, opacity databases, and validation benchmarks across 150+ institutions.

     • Partners with citizen scientists to classify JWST archival data via gamified spectral tagging.

2. Ethical Data Stewardship

   • Co-authored Leiden Declaration on Exoplanet Ethics:

     • Prohibits proprietary hoarding of atmospheric data from publicly funded telescopes (e.g., JWST, ELT).

     • Mandates inclusivity in target selection to prioritize M-dwarf planets with biosignature potential.

3. Public Cosmic Literacy

   • Created ExoAtlas AR:

     • An augmented reality app visualizing exoplanet atmospheres in real-time through smartphone cameras.

     • Deployed in 500+ schools to inspire next-generation astrochemists through interactive methane cycle simulations.

Global Impact and Future Visions

• 2022–2025 Milestones:

  • Led the first detection of NH₃ in a habitable-zone exoplanet (K2-18b) using JWST Cycle 2 data, cited in 300+ studies.

  • Trained ATMO-BERT, a language model translating retrieval results into actionable hypotheses for observers.

  • Authored ISO 22901:2025, the first global standard for exoplanet atmospheric data reporting.

• Vision 2026–2030:
  Quantum Spectroscopy: Leveraging quantum computing to simulate molecular line lists for exotic atmospheres (e.g., TiO-dominated ultra-hot Jupiters).
  Interstellar Medium Context: Linking exoplanet atmospheric metals to protoplanetary disk chemistry via ALMA archival surveys.
  Exo-Climate Synergy: Adapting Earth system models to predict ozone evolution on TRAPPIST-1e under varying UV fluxes.

By treating each exoplanet spectrum as a cosmic cipher, I strive to transform atmospheric retrieval from a static snapshot into a dynamic narrative—bridging the chemistry of distant worlds with humanity’s quest to understand its place in the galaxy.