ProfessorMark Sephton

Mark A. Sephton is a Professor of Organic Geochemistry in the Department of Earth Science and Engineering (ESE) at Imperial College London (ICL). His research and teaching covers the areas Astrobiology, Space Missions, Meteorites, Earth Systems and Environmental Science. He has been involved in teams for the planning and execution of space missions for over two and a half decades. Analytical advances from his space research are spun off into terrestrial applications and he is involved in Climate Change Mitigation, Low Carbon Fuels and Energy Transition Materials. He has published over 300 scientific articles.

HONOURS & AWARDS
He has received honours and awards, notably:
• Honouree, Asteroid 7552 'Sephton' orbits between Mars and Jupiter, International Astronomical Union (2006)

LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
He has held leadership positions for multidisciplinary teams including:
• Head of Department, Earth Science and Engineering (ESE) (2016 - 2021)
• Director of Imperial Space Lab, Imperial College London (2015 - 2016)

ACADEMIC/INSTITUTIONAL ROLES
He has held multiple and often concurrent administrative positions, including:
• Chair of Targeted Scholarships Sub-Group, ICL (2021 - 2023)
• Societal Engagement Champion, ESE (2021 - 2023)
• Chair of the Department Promotions Panel, ESE (2011 - 2016)
• Head of Section, Earth & Planets, ESE (2010 - 2015)
• Department Safety Officer, ESE (2009 - Present)
• Chair of the Department Safety Committee, ESE (2009 - 2021)
• Director of Postgraduate Studies, ESE (2005 - 2010)
• Group Leader, Imperial College Organic Geochemistry group, ESE (2005 - Present)

CHARITIES & VOLUNTEERING
He is a supporter of educational charity work, including:
• Trustee of Education Charity Space Science Engineering Foundation (2021 – 2024)

ENTREPRENEURSHIP
He is a Founder and Director, including:
• In 2021, he co-founded CO2CO a large-scale carbon removal start-up to mitigate climate change

EDITORIAL BOARDS
He holds positions on editorial boards, including:
• Specialty Chief Editor for Space Exploration / Frontiers in Space Technologies (2021 - Present)
• Associate Editor / Astrobiology (2010 - Present)

SPACE MISSION POSITIONS
He holds, and has held, space mission positions, including:
• Science team member for the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover mission that will select samples of the red planet for return to Earth (2020-Present)
• Science team member for the NASA Europa Clipper mission that will study Jupiter's icy moon (2014-Present)
• ExoMars Urey Instrument European Team Co-ordinator and Co-investigator (2007-2010)
• ExoMars Life Marker Chip Co-investigator (2007-2012)

COMMITTEES & PANELS
He has been a regular chair and member of national and international committees, often with the UK Space Agency, NASA and ESA. These include:
• Member, Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) Panel on Planetary Protection (2024 – Present)
• Member, ESF/ESA Planetary Protection Study - Biological Impact Assessment of Mars Sample Return (2024 – Present)
• Member, UK Space Agency Planetary Protection Advisory Panel (2024 – Present)
• Member, ESA Mars Sample Return Planetary Protection Re-entry Safety Review Panel (2023 – Present)
• Member, UK Space Agency Enabling Space Exploration (ESE) Programme Board (2023 – Present)
• Member, NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Sample Safety Assessment Protocol Tiger Team (2023 – 2024)
• Member, Royal Society Working Group, Perspective on Space (2022 – 2023)
• Co-Chair, NASA/ESA Mars Sample Return Temperature and Time Tiger Team (2022 – 2022)
• Member, COSPAR Mars Sample Return Sample Safety Assessment Framework Working Group (2018 – 2022)
• Member, NASA/ESA International MSR Objectives and Samples Team (iMOST) (2017 to 2018).
• Team Coordinator, Planetary Protection of Outer Solar System, EC/Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) (2016 – 2018)
• Member, NASA Returned Sample Science Board for the 2020 Mars Mission (2015 – 2019)
• Member, ESA Planetary Protection Working Group, European Space Agency, (2014 – 2021)
• Chair, UK Space Agency Space Exploration Advisory Committee (SEAC), UK Space Agency (2013 – 2016)
• Member, NASA MEPAG Science Definition Team for the 2020 Mars Rover, NASA Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (2013 – 2013)
• Member, NASA/ESA MEPAG 2018 Joint Mars Rover Mission Science Working Group, NASA/ESA Mars Exploration Science Analysis Group (2011 – 2012)
• Member, STFC Astronomy Grants Panel, Science & Technology Facilities Council (2011 – 2015)
• Co-Chair, NASA/ESA MEPAG Mars Sample Return End-2-End International Science Analysis Group, NASA/ESA Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group, (2010 – 2011)
• Member, NASA/ESA MEPAG 2-Rover International Science Analysis Group, NASA/ESA Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (2009 – 2010)
• Member, NASA/NRC Primitive Bodies Panel for the Planetary Science Decadal Survey 2013-2022, NASA/National Research Council (2009 – 2010)
• Member, UK Space Innovation and Growth Team, Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (2009 – 2010)
• Member, ESA Exploration, Science and Technology Advisory Group, European Space Agency (2007 – 2010)
• Member, UK Aurora Advisory Committee, UK Space Agency (2007 – 2010)
• Member, NERC Peer Review College, Natural Environment Research Council (2006 – 2009)