Research

Education

  • Doctor of Philosophy - Space and Planetary Science. University of Arkansas, 2022
  • Bachelor of Science – Geology. Wichita State University, 2013.

Work Experience

  • Senior Geologist / Radiological Lead – Arcadis – 2013 to Present
  • Affiliate Researcher - Northern Arizona University - 2023 to 2025
  • Postdoctoral Scholar – Northern Arizona University – 2022 to 2023
  • Graduate Assistant – University of Arkansas – 2016 to 2018
  • Environmental Technician – GSI Engineering – 2012 to 2013

Publications

  1. E.Z. Noe Dobrea, M.E. Banks, R.N. Clark, D. Wettergreen, A. Candela, A. Hendrix, C. Ahrens, E. Bell, A. Breitfeld, T.F. Bristow, S. Buxner, M. Hansen, G.M. Holsclaw, P. Knightly, G. Kramer, N. Kumari, M.D. Lane, A. Martin, M.L. Meier, R. Patterson, N. Pearson, T. Prettyman, G.A. Swayze, D. Vaniman, S. Vijayarangan. (2025). Rover Science Autonomy in Planetary Exploration: Field Analog Tests. The Planetary Science Journal. https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/adaa78
  2. K.B. Thapa-Magar, E.R. Sokol, M.N. Gooseff, M.R. Salvatore, J.E. Barrett, J.S. Levy, P. Knightly, S.N. Power. (2025). Remote sensing for species distribution models: An illustration from a sentinel taxon of the world's driest ecosystem. Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ecy.70035
  3. P. Sokoloff, A. Srivastava, Y. Murakami, T. McMullin, J. Clarke, P. Knightly, A. Stepanova, A. Mangeot, C.M. LaRoche, A. Beattie, S. Rupert. (2024). Biodiversity of Mars Analogs. Check List. https://doi.org/10.15560/20.5.1096
  4. M. Salvatore, J.E. Barrett, L.F. Fackrell, E.R. Sokol, J.S. Levy, L.C. Kuentz, M.N. Gooseff, B.J. Adams, S.N. Power, J.P. Knightly, H.M. Matul, B. Szutu, and P.T. Doran. (2023). The Distribution of Surface Soil Moisture over Space and Time in Eastern Taylor Valley, Antarctica. Remote Sensing, 15, 3170. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs15123170
  5. P. Becerra, I.B. Smith, S. Hibbard, C. Andres, J. Bapst, A. Bramson, P. Buhler, A. Coronato, S. Diniega, J. Emmett, A.G. Galofre, C. Herny, M. Kahre, J.P. Knightly, S. Nerozzi, A. Pascuzzo, G. Portyankina, J. Rabassa, L.K. Tamppari, T. Titus, J. Whitten, Z. Yoldi. (2021). Past, Present and Future of Mars Ice Research: Conclusions and Outlook from the 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration. Planetary Science Journal, Volume 2, Number 5. DOI: 10.3847/PSJ/ac19a5
  6. A.G. Galofre, C.N. Andres, P. Becerra, A. Bhardwaj, A. Bramson, F. Butcher, P.R. Christensen, S.J. Conway, A. Coronato, E. Hauber, S. Hibbard, J.P. Knightly, T. Meng, G.R. Osinski, E.I. Petersen, J. Plaut, J. Rabassa, A.M. Rutledge, L. Sam, J. Serla, and K.X. Whipple (2021). A Comparative View of Glacial and Periglacial Landforms on Earth and Mars. - Whitepaper #101 submitted to the Planetary Science and Astrobiology Decadal Survey 2023-2032. Bulletin of the AAS, 53(4). DOI: 10.3847/25c2cfeb.421a94c3
  7. J.D.A. Clarke, P. Knightly, S. Rupert (2018). Melt-water formed dark streaks on slopes of Haughton crater as possible Mars analogues. International Journal of Astrobiology, 1-9. DOI: 10.1017/S1473550418000526

Conference and Meeting Abstracts

  1. P. Knightly, J. Rask, K. Bywaters (2024). Natural Radiological Analogs for Planetary Environments.Second Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration. Abstract #8044. Oral presentation.
  2. P. Knightly, A. Dettmer, M. Weaverling, M. Heintz (2024). Multiple Lines of Evidence: Using Mining Forensics to Characterize Abandoned Surface Uranium Mines. Battelle 2024 Chlorinated Conference.
  3. M.L. Meier, R.V. Patterson, N.C. Pearson, R.N. Clark, A.C. Martin, N. Kumari, C.J. Ahrens, M.E. Banks, E. Bell, F. Vilas, M. Osterloo, P. Knightly, T.H. Prettyman, E.Z. Noe Dobrea, A.R. Hendrix. (2023). Terrestrial Analog Analysis: Mineralogical Evaluation within the Visible and Near-Infrared. 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #2742
  4. A.V. Steckel, R.N. Clark, N.C. Pearson, S. Buxner, T.H. Prettyman, N. Kumari, M.L. Meier, C.J. Ahrens, A.C. Martin, R.V. Patterson, M. Lane, F. Vilas, P. Knightly, D. Wettergreen, M.E. Banks, E. Bell, S.P. Wright, E.Z. Noe Dobrea, A. Hendrix. (2023). Utilizing a Hyperspectral Camera for Field Surveys During the TREX Field Mission. 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #2720.
  5. S.M. Hibbard, S. Chartrand, J. Eschenfelder, P. Knightly, A. Kukko, G.R. Osinski. (2023). Comparative Morphologic Investigation of Polygons on Devon Island, Arctic Canada, with Implications for Mars Ice Accessibility. 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #2692.
  6. E.Z. Noe Dobrea, C. Ahrens, M.E. Banks, E. Bell, A. Breitfeld, T. Bristow, A. Candela, R.N. Clark, M. Hansen, A. Hendrix, G. Holsclaw, P. Knightly, N. Kumari, M.D. Lane, A.C. Martin, M.L. Meier, R.V. Patterson, N.C. Pearson, T.H. Prettyman, A.V. Steckel, S. Vijayarangan, F. Vilas, D. Wettergreen, S.P. Wright. (2023). Autonomous Rover Science in the Field: Yellow Cat. 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #2366.
  7. N. Kumari, T.H. Prettyman, M. Lane, A.C. Martin, R.V. Patterson, M.L. Meier, C.J. Ahrens, N.C. Pearson, R.N. Clark, F. Vilas, A.V. Steckel, J.P. Knightly, D. Wettergreen, M.E. Banks, E. Bell, S.P. Wright, E.Z. Noe Dobrea, A. Hendrix, and the TREX Team. (2023). Procedure Standardization for Toolbox for Research and Exploration (TREX) Field Data Analysis. 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1814.
  8. T.H. Prettyman, S. Buxner, A.V. Steckel, J.P. Knightly, N. Pearson, A. Hendrix, E. Noe Dobrea, R.N. Clark, D.S. Wettergreen, C. Ahrens, N. Kumari, A.C. Martin, M.L. Meier, R.V. Patterson, F. Vilas. (2023) Radioelement Geochemistry: Rover Analog Study at Yellow Cat. 54th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference. Abstract #1389.
  9. M.R. Salvatore, J.E. Barrett, L. Fackrell, E. Sokol, J. Levy, L. Kuentz, M.N. Gooseff, B. Adams, H. Matul, B. Szutu, P. Knightly, and P.T. Doran (2022). Estimating Soil Moisture Content in Antarctic Soils Using High-Resolution Remote Sensing Data. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2022, H32K-08E.
  10. P. Knightly (2022). A Multiscale Surface Roughness Analysis of Polygons on Mars Using HiRISE Digital Terrain Models. American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2022, EP55C-0806.
  11. P. Knightly and M. Heintz (2022). Multiple Lines of Evidence Approach for Evaluating Mining-Related Impacts at Abandoned Uranium Mines. Waste Management Symposia 2022. – Oral Presentation
  12. J.P. Knightly, J. Tullis, J. Dixon, and V.F. Chevrier (2021). Multiscale Roughness of Terrestrial Patterned Ground as a Mars Analog. Workshop on Terrestrial Analogs for Planetary Exploration, Abstract #8076. – Oral Presentation
  13. J.P. Knightly, J. Tullis, J. Dixon, and V.F. Chevrier (2020). Micromorphology of Relict Terrestrial Patterned Ground as a Mars Analog. 7th International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration, Abstract #6030. – Oral Presentation
  14. J.P. Knightly, J.D.A. Clarke, S. Rupert, and V.F. Chevrier (2019). Thermal Properties of Wet Patterned Ground in Haughton Crater and Implications for Mars. Lunar and Planetary Science L, Abstract #2181.
  15. J.P. Knightly, M.S. Fusco, K. Farnsworth, and V.F. Chevrier (2019). Temporal Variations in Martian Swiss Cheese Terrain. Lunar and Planetary Science L, Abstract #2187. – Oral Presentation
  16. V.F. Chevrier, M.S. Fusco, K. Farnsworth, J.P. Knightly, A. and Yazdani (2018). Time Evolution of Swiss Cheese Terrains in the Martian South Polar Cap. Mars Workshop on Amazonian Climate 2018, Abstract #4029. – Oral Presentation
  17. J.P. Knightly, J.D.A. Clarke, S. Rupert, and V.F. Chevrier (2018). Morphology and In-Situ Measurements of Patterned Ground in the Haughton Impact Structure and Implications for Mars. Mars Workshop on Amazonian Climate 2018, Abstract #4020. – Oral Presentation
  18. J.P. Knightly, J.D.A. Clarke, and S. Rupert (2018). Melt Water Slope Streaks in Haughton Crater as Possible Mars Analogs. Lunar and Planetary Science XLIX, Abstract #2084.
  19. J.P. Knightly, J.D.A. Clarke, S. Rupert, and A. Srivastava (2018). Summary of Field Investigations from the Mars 160 Analog Mission in Utah and Devon Island. Lunar and Planetary Science XLIX, Abstract #2094.
  20. M.S. Fusco, K. Farnsworth, J. P. Knightly, A. Yazdani, and V.F. Chevrier (2018). Spatial and Geomorphological Evolution of Swiss Cheese Terrains in the Martian South Polar Cap, Lunar and Planetary Science XLIX, Abstract #2682.
  21. J.P. Knightly, Y. Murakami, J.D.A Clarke, H. Sizemore, M. Siegler, S. Rupert, and V.F. Chevrier (2017). Digital Elevation Models of Patterned Ground in the Canadian Arctic and Implications for the Study of Mars, American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting 2017, P43C- 2890.
  22. J.P. Knightly, J.D.A Clarke, and V. F. Chevrier (2017), A Comparison of Spectroscopic Measurements of Minerals on Earth and Mars, Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII, Abstract #2015.
  23. J.P. Knightly, C. J. Ahrens, and V. F. Chevrier (2017), Geomorphological Characteristics of a Low- Albedo Feature in Utopia Planitia, Mars, Lunar and Planetary Science XLVIII, Abstract #2008

Biographical Narrative

I received a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Wichita State University in 2013 and completed my Ph.D. in Space and Planetary Science at the University of Arkansas in 2022. I completed a National Science Foundation-funded postdoctoral fellowship at Northern Arizona University from 2022 to 2023. My academic research interests have been focused on using the terrestrial cryosphere as an analog for Mars and other planetary bodies.

I am currently a Senior Geologist at Arcadis where I lead the Radiological Assessment and Design Group (RAD+). As an environmental geologist, I’ve worked on sites with a variety of contamination concerns, including conducting extensive field work to investigate soil and groundwater impacts at affected sites. The focus over the majority of my consulting experience has primarily involved investigating and characterizing radiological impacts at abandoned uranium mines in the Navajo Nation. Our team developed and implemented a multiple lines of evidence approach for distinguishing between naturally occurring and technology enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials that has enabled previously uncharacterized, challenging sites to move closer towards remediation.

As a Ph.D. candidate, I performed a range of Mars analog research activities. I was involved with the Mars 160 mission simulation organized by The Mars Society from 2014 to 2017. This included conducting a two-week mission simulation at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah and a month-long simulation at the Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (FMARS) at the Haughton Impact Structure on Devon Island in Nunavut, Canada. I also conducted photogrammetric drone studies in Utah and Iceland to further my research objectives. My research activities in Canada, Utah, and Iceland were centered on studying the physical and environmental factors that influence periglacial morphology, focusing on variations between active and relict patterned ground.

When I’m not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, hiking, riding my bike, and native plant gardening in our little slice of forest in the Ozarks.

Paul Knightly, PhD RSO

Portrait Headshot of Paul Knightly