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Research

I’m a Physics & Astronomy PhD student at UTSA in the joint Space Physics Graduate Program with Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). My research focuses on icy moons and planetary habitability, with a current emphasis on NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, especially the Europa Ultraviolet Spectrograph (Europa-UVS) and MASPEX (Mass Spectrometer for Planetary Exploration).

Europa Clipper • Europa-UVS • MASPEX • UV spectroscopy • Mass spectrometry • Icy moons • Astrobiology • Data analysis & calibration

CV (PDF)

What I Do

I’m a Graduate Student Affiliate on Europa Clipper with mentor Dr. Kurt Retherford (PI, Europa-UVS) and co-mentor Dr. Kelly Miller (Co-Deputy PI, MASPEX). Europa-UVS studies the composition of Europa’s surface and atmosphere at ultraviolet wavelengths, and I help the UVS team prepare for future observations by developing tools for analyzing far-UV spectral images. I also work with the PSIE team to explore connections between Europa’s surface and interior composition and how the Clipper payload, including MASPEX and REASON, can help assess subsurface habitability. I support upcoming UVS data analysis and calibration tasks and participate in scientific writing as projects mature.

Research Themes

Europa-UVS: UV Spectral Imaging

I work with far-UV spectral images to help interpret Europa’s surface/atmosphere signatures. This includes analysis tools and calibration-focused prep for future Europa-UVS observations.

MASPEX: Volatiles & Mass Spectrometry

I’m building familiarity with how MASPEX measurements connect to chemistry and habitability questions at icy moons. I’m especially interested in how instrument data can constrain composition and potential biosignatures.

Icy Moon Habitability

My broader goal is connecting surface observations to interior/ocean processes. I’m interested in how multiple instruments (UVS + MASPEX + radar) work together to tell a coherent “habitability story.”

Data Products & Pipelines

I’m interested in how raw instrument measurements become usable science data. That includes understanding formats, calibration steps, and building streamlined tools for quick-look analysis and quality checks.

Current Projects

Right now, my work is centered on preparation and analysis efforts connected to Europa Clipper, plus broader icy-moon habitability questions.

  • Developing and testing analysis tools for far-UV spectral images (Europa-UVS).

  • Supporting upcoming UVS data analysis and calibration tasks as the team prepares for future observations.

  • Exploring linkages between Europa’s surface and interior composition, including how MASPEX and REASON measurements can be combined to assess subsurface habitability.

More detailed project writeups will be added here as results become publishable.

Publications/Presentations

Graduate-school publications are currently in progress; below are my undergraduate presentations.

  • Singh, J., Wishard, C., & Minton, D. Re-examining the Martian crater chronology by combining numerical model results with new crater counts. Poster, 54th Division of Planetary Sciences Conference (DPS), October 2022, London, Ontario, Canada.

  • Singh, J., Walker, K. M. S., & Johnson, A. W. Determining the Stability of Exoplanet Cloud Analogs in the Exoplanet ElectroDynamic Balance. Poster, Purdue University Spring 2022 Undergraduate Research Symposium, April 2022, West Lafayette, IN.

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