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Ahmed Mahjoub

Photo of Ahmed Mahjoub

Address:

4800 Oak Grove Drive
M/S: 183-426

Pasadena, CA 91109

Phone:

(626) 491-5089

Email:

Click here

Curriculum Vitae:

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Member of:

Small Bodies

Biography

I'm a planetary scientist with a PhD in Physics from University of Paris Sud. During over a decade of experience, I've studied the spectroscopic and chemical characteristics of organic material in our solar system, specifically Titan, comets, and icy bodies. Although primarily an experimentalist, I've also ventured into quantum chemical calculations. My aim is to use laboratory simulations to test new hypotheses regarding the solar system's history and evolution through chemistry and spectroscopy. I'm convinced that solving the solar system's origins demands fresh ideas and the fusion of insights from various branches of astrophysics and astrochemistry. My goal is to actively contribute to this ongoing pursuit.

Education

  • Ph. D, Physics, University Paris-11, Orsay, France, 2010
  • Master’s Degree, Physical Chemistry, University Paris-11, Orsay, France, 2006

Professional Experience

  • 08/2023-present: Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
  • 05/2019-08/2023: Senior Research Scientist, Space Science Institute, Boulder, CO
  • 03/2017-08/2023: Affiliate Scientist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
  • 02/2014 - 03/2017: Postdoctoral scholar, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
  • 09/2012 - 09/2013: Postdoctoral scholar, University Paris 12 (University Paris 12 fellowship)
  • 01/2011- 09/2012: Postdoctoral scholar, UVSQ observatory

Community Service

  • Reviewer for Planetary science Journal, Planetary and Space Science Journal, the Astrophysical Journal, ICARUS
  • Reviewer of proposals for French National Agency of Science
  • Reviewer and panelist for multiple NASA NPP and ROSES programs

Research Interests

  • Planetary science: atmospheres and surfaces: Titan’s atmosphere and lakes (chemistry and spectroscopy) and Small solar system bodies
  • Astrochemistry, prebiotic chemistry and origin of life.
  • Organic chemistry in laboratory analogs applied to comets, molecular clouds and planetary atmospheres.
  • Small bodies, origin and evolution of the solar system
  • Chemical, physical and spectroscopic properties of planetary ices

Selected Awards

  • Voyager Award, JPL, 2018
  • NASA-PDAR Grant, role: PI, Oct 2023
  • NASA-SSW Grant, role: PI, Nov 2022
  • NASA-DDAP Grant, role: PI, May 2021
  • NASA-RDAP Grant, role: Science-PI, 2019
  • NASA-RDAP Grant, role: Co-I, 2019
  • UVSQ Scientific Award of Excellence with ionized atmospheres group, 2011
  • “Paris-11 excellence award’’, University fellowship for Master’s Degree, 2006
  • “Med-acceuil award’’ Mediterranean exchange fellowship, Marseille, 2005
  • “President award’’ University of Tunis, 2005

Selected Publications

  1. A. Mahjoub*, Altwegg K., Poston M.J., Rubin M., R. Hodyss, Organosulfur non-volatiles on comet 67P: evidence from ROSINA measurements and insights from laboratory simulations. Science Advances. 9, eadh0394 (2023).
  2. A. Mahjoub*, M. E. Brown, M. J. Poston, R. Hodyss, B. L. Ehlmann, J. Blacksberg, M. Choukroun, J. M. Eiler, K. P. Hand, Effect of H2S on the Near-infrared Spectrum of Irradiation Residue and Applications to the Kuiper Belt Object (486958) Arrokoth. The Astrophysical Journal Letters. 914, L31 (2021).
  3. A. Mahjoub*, R. Hodyss, Thermal Reaction in Cometary and Pre-cometary Ices: Formation of Thiocarbamate in OCS-CH3NH2 Mixed Ices. The Astrophysical Journal. 869, 98 (2018).
  4. A. Mahjoub*, M. Choukroun, R. Hodyss, C. Sotin, P. Beauchamp, M. Barmatz, Titan Lakes Simulation System (TiLSS): A cryogenic experimental setup to simulate Titan’s liquid hydrocarbon surfaces. Review of Scientific Instruments. 89, 124502 (2018).
  5. A. Mahjoub*, M. J. Poston, J. Blacksberg, J. M. Eiler, M. E. Brown, B. L. Ehlmann, R. Hodyss, K. P. Hand, R. Carlson, M. Choukroun, Production of Sulfur Allotropes in Electron Irradiated Jupiter Trojans Ice Analogs. The Astrophysical Journal. 846, 148 (2017).
  6. A. Mahjoub*, M. J. Poston, K. P. Hand, M. E. Brown, R. Hodyss, J. Blacksberg, J. M. Eiler, R. W. Carlson, B. L. Ehlmann, M. Choukroun, Electron irradiation and thermal processing of mixed-ices of potential relevance to Jupiter Trojan asteroids. The Astrophysical Journal. 820, 141 (2016).
  7. A. Mahjoub*, M. Schwell, N. Carrasco, Y. Benilan, G. Cernogora, C. Szopa, M.-C. Gazeau, Characterization of aromaticity in analogues of titan’s atmospheric aerosols with two-step laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry. Planetary and Space Science. 131, 1–13 (2016).
  8. A. Mahjoub*, N. Carrasco, P.-R. Dahoo, B. Fleury, T. Gautier, G. Cernogora, Effect of the Synthesis Temperature on the Optical Indices of Organic Materials Produced by N2–CH4 RF Plasma. Plasma Processes and Polymers. 11, 409–417 (2014).
  9. A. Mahjoub*, K. Le Barbu-Debus, A. Zehnacker, Structural Rearrangement in the Formation of Jet-Cooled Complexes of Chiral (S)-1,2,3,4-Tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinemethanol with Methyl Lactate: Chirality Effect in Conformer Selection. J. Phys. Chem. A. 117, 2952–2960 (2013).
  10. A. Mahjoub*, N. Carrasco, P.-R. Dahoo, T. Gautier, C. Szopa, G. Cernogora, Influence of methane concentration on the optical indices of Titan’s aerosols analogues. Icarus. 221, 670–677 (2012).