Research

Paul Knightly, PhD RSO

 

profile photo of Paul

 

Education

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

 

Work Experience

    • Project Geologist / Senior Radiological Specialist – Arcadis – 2013 to Present
    • Postdoctoral Scholar – Northern Arizona University – 2022 to 2023
    • Graduate Assistant – University of Arkansas – 2016 to 2018
    • Environmental Technician – GSI Engineering – 2012 to 2013
    • Equipment Technician – Field Environmental Instruments – 2012
    • Teaching Assistant – Plaza Academy High School – 2011
    • Intern – National Institute for Aviation Research – 2009 to 2011

 
Full work history and experience details can be viewed on my LinkedIn Page by clicking here.
 

Publications

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

3. 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, 2(5), 209. https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ac19a5

2. 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. Bulletin of the AAS, 53(4). https://doi.org/10.3847/25c2cfeb.421a94c3

1. 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. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1473550418000526

 

Conference and Meeting Abstracts

21. 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

20. 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.

19. 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.

18. 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.

17. 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.

16. 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.

15. 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.

14. 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.

13. 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

11. 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

10. 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.

9. 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

8. 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

7. 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

6. 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.

5. 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.

4. 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.

3. 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.

2. 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.

1. 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 have over a decade of experience working in the environmental consulting industry as a geologist and currently work as a postdoctoral fellow at Northern Arizona University. My research interests are focused on using the terrestrial cryosphere as an analog for Mars and other planetary bodies.

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. My focus over the latter half 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, being outdoors, and honing my skills as a private and remote (drone) pilot. I enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities including hiking, the occasional backpacking trip, peak bagging/county high pointing, and storm chasing. Photography binds those activities together and I’ve enjoyed showcasing images from my adventures in art fairs and an annual wall calendar that goes on sale towards the end of each year.

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