µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø

Nicholas Warner

Professor

ISC 253

(585)245-5291

warner@geneseo.edu

A µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø alumnus (’00), Dr. Nicholas Warner is a planetary geologist who leads research on Mars, including work on NASA™s InSight mission and recent grants to analyze Martian crater landscapes with undergraduate teams. Since joining the faculty in 2014, he has mentored students in cutting-edge planetary research that bridges the classroom and real NASA missions.

Nick Warner

Curriculum Vitae

Education

Ph.D. in Geological Sciences (2004-2008)
Arizona State University, School of Earth and Space Exploration
Dissertation Title: œChasma Boreale, Mars: A possible analog for catastrophic outwash systems in Iceland?�

M.S. in Geological Sciences (2000-2002)
State University of New York at Buffalo, Department of Geology
Thesis Title: œRheologic and emplacement parameters for a lava flow field southwest of Arsia Mons, Mars: Comparisons to Sabancaya volcano, Peru�

B.A. in Geological Sciences and Secondary Education (1996-2000)
State University of New York at µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø, Department of Geological Sciences
Honors Thesis Title: œPlacing constraints on the Frasnian-Famennian extinction boundary near Norton, VA through conodont biostratigraphy”

Employment

  • Aug 2014-current: State University of New York at µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø, µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø, New York
  • Feb 2014-May 2014: Postdoctoral Research Scholar, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
  • Feb 2012-Feb 2014: NASA Postdoctoral Fellow, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California
  • Oct 2008-Nov 2011: Postdoctoral Research Scholar, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
  • Aug 2002-June 2004: New York State Certified Earth and Environmental Science Teacher, Spencerport High School, Spencerport, NYy

Mission Involvement

  • Aug. 2018“Aug. 2023: Co-I/Participating Scientist, NASA InSight Mission to Mars
  • Dec. 2018: Geology Lead, Instrument Site Selection Working Group, NASA InSight Mission to Mars
  • Aug. 2014“Aug. 2018: Collaborator, NASA InSight Mission to Mars
  • Feb. 2012“May 2014: Council of Terrains, InSight Mission, Curiosity Rover, Mars
  • Feb. 2012“May 2014: Geology Theme Group Lead, Mars Exploration Rover “ Opportunity
  • Nov. 2008“Feb. 2012:Collaborator, Mars Express High Res. Stereo Camera

Peer-Reviewed Publications

µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø undergraduates in bold italics

  • Golombek, M.P., Hibbard, S., Bloom, C., Deahn, M., Warner, N., Williams, N., Daubar, I.J., Hundal, C.B., Lagain, A., Piqueux, S., Edwards, C. Corinto: A Young, Extensively Rayed Crater that Produced a Billion Secondaries on Mars. (2025) (in revision). JGR-Planets.
  • Knapmeyer, B., Ludmila, A., Carrasco, S., Golombek, M.P., Doyeon, K., Knapmeyer, M., Miljovic, K., Plesa, C., Warner, N.H., Wieczorek. (2025) (in press). Porosity and hydrous alteration of the Martian crust from InSight seismic data. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors.
  • Delage, P., et al., Caicedo, B., Golombek, M.P., Spohn, T., Schemzbach, C., Brinkman, N., Marteau, E., Murdoch, N., Warner, N.H., et al. (2024). Investigating the Martian soil at the InSight landing site. Soils and Rocks. 47., .
  • Golombek, M., Hudson, T., Bailey, P., Balabanska, N., Marteau, E., et al., including Warner,N.H. (2024). Results from InSight robotic arm activities. Space Science Reviews. 219., .
  • Dundas, C., Mellon, M.T., Posiolova, L.V., Milijovic, K., Collins, G.S., Tornabene, L., Rangarajan, V.G., Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., et al. (2023). A large new crater exposes the limits of water ice on Mars. Geophysical Research Letters. 50., .
  • Warner, N.H., Golombek, M.P., Ansan, V., Marteau, E., Williams, N., Grant, J.A., Hauber, E., Weitz, C., Wilson, S., Piqueux, S., Mueller, N., Grott, M., Tilman, S., Pan, L., Schmelzbach, C., Daubar, I.J., Garvin, J., Charalambous, C., Baker, M., Banks, M. (2022). In situ and orbital stratigraphic characterization of the InSight landing Site – A type example of a regolith-covered lava plain on Mars. JGR-Planets. 127, .
  • Gary-Bicas, C.E., Michaels, T.I., Rogers, A.D., Fenton, L.K., Warner, N.H., Cowart, A.C. (2022). Investigating the role of Amazonian mesoscale wind patterns and strength on the spatial distribution of martian bedrock exposures. JGR-Planets. 127. .
  • Grant, J.A., Wilson, S.A., Golombek, M., Trussell, A., Warner, N.H., Williams, N., Weitz, C., Abarca, H., Deen, R. (2022). Degradation at the InSight landing site, Homestead Hollow, Mars: Constraints from rock heights and shapes. Earth and Space Science. 9. .
  • Adler, J.B., Bell, J.F., Warner, N.H., Dobrea, E.N., Harrison, T.N. (2022). Regional geology of the Hypanis Valles System, Mars. JGR-Planets. 127. .
  • Davis, J.M., Grindrod, P.M., Banham, S.G., Warner, N.H., Conway, S., Boazman, S.J., Gupta, S. (2021). A record of syn-tectonic sedimentation revealed by perched alluvial fan deposits in Valles Marineris, Mars. Geology. 49,
  • Golombek, M.P., Trussell, A., Williams, N., Charalambous, C., Abarca, H., Warner, N.H., Deahn, M., Trautman, M., Crocco, R., Grant, J.A., Hauber, E., Deen, R. (2021). Rock size- frequency distributions at the InSight landing site, Mars. Earth and Space Science. .
  • Piqueux, S., Muller, N., Grott, M., Siegler, M., Millour, E., Forget, F., Lemmon, M., Golombek, M., Williams, N., Grant, J., Warner, N.H. et al., (2021). Soil thermophysical properties nearthe InSight lander derived from 50 sols of radiometer measurements. JGR-Planets. 128. .
  • Baker, M., Newman, C., Charalambous, C., Golombek, M., Spiga, A., Banfield, D., Lemmon, M., Banks, M., Lorenz, R., Garvin, J., Grant, J., Lewis, K., Ansan, V., Warner, N., Weitz, C., Wilson, S., Rodriquez, S. (2021). Vortex-dominated aeolian activity at InSight’s Landing Site, Part 2: Local meteorology, transport dynamics, and model analysis. JGR-Planets. 126.
  • Charalambous, C., McClean, J., Baker, M., Pike, T., Golombek, M., Lemmon, M.T., Ansan, V., Perrin, C., Spiga, A., Lorenz, R.D., Banks, M., Murdoch, N., Rodriquez, S., Weitz, C, Grant, J., Warner, N. et al. (2021). Vortex-dominated aeolian activity at InSight’s landing site, Part 1: Multi- instrument observations, analysis, and implications. JGR-Planets, 126. .
  • Golombek, M., Williams, N., Warner, N.H., Parker, T., Williams, M.G., Daubar, I., et al., (2020). Location and setting of the Mars InSight lander, instruments, and landing site. Earthand Space Science. 7. .
  • Warner, N.H., Schuyler, A.J., Rogers, A.D., Golombek, M.P., Grant, J., Wilson, S., Weitz, C., Williams, N., Calef, F. (2020). Crater morphometry on the Mafic Floor Unit at Jezero Crater, Mars: Comparisons to a known basaltic lava plain at the InSight landing site. Geophysical Research Letters. 47. .
  • Golombek, M., Kass, D., Williams, N., Warner, N., Daubar, I., Piqueux, S., Charalambous, C., Pike, W.T. (2020). Assessment of InSight landing site predictions. JGR-Planets. 125, .
  • Weitz, C.M., Grant, J.A., Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Wilson, S.A., Charalambous, C., Williams, N., Calef, F., Pike, T.W., Lethcoe-Wilson, H., Maki, J., DeMott, A., Kopp, M. (2020). Comparison of InSight Homestead hollow to hollows at the Spirit landing site. JGR-Planets. 125. .
  • Warner, N.H., Grant, J.A., Wilson, S.A., Golombek, M.P., DeMott, A., Charalambous, C., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Weitz, C., Pike, T., Williams, N., Banks, M.E., Baker, M., Kopp, M., Deahn, M., Lethcoe, H., Berger, L. (2020). An impact origin for the InSight landing site at Homestead Hollow, Mars: Implications for Near Surface Stratigraphy, Surface Processes, and Erosion Rates. JGR-Planets. 125. .
  • Murdoch, N., Spiga, A., Lorenz, R., Garcia, R.F., Perrin, C., Widmer-Schnidrig, Rodriguez, S., Compaire, N., Warner, N.H., Mimoun, D., Banfield, D., Lognonne, P., Banerdt, W.B., (2020, in revision) Constraining Martian regolith parameters and vortex trajectories from combined seismic and meteorological measurements. JGR-Planets.
  • Grant, J.A., Warner, N.H., Weitz, C.M., Golombek, M.P., Wilson, S.A., Baker, M., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Charalambous, C., Williams, N., Calef, F., Pike, T., DeMott, A., Kopp, M., Lethcoe, H., Banks, M. (2020). Modification of Homestead Hollow at the InSight landing site based on the distribution and properties of local deposits. JGR-Planets. 125. .
  • Banerdt, B., and InSight science team including Warner, N.H. (2020). Initial results from the InSight mission: Mission overview and global seismic activity. Nature Geoscience.13. 183-189.
  • Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., Grant, J., Hauber, E., Ansan, V., Weitz, C.M., Williams, N., Charalambous, C., Wilson, S.A., DeMott, A., Kopp, M. et al. (2020). Geology of the InSight Landing Site on Mars. Nature Communications. .
  • Adler, J.B., Bell, J.F. III, Fawdon, P., Davis, J., Warner N.H., Sefton-Nash, E., Harrison, T.N. (2019). Hypotheses for the origin of the Hypanis fan-shaped deposit at the edge of the Chryse escarpment, Mars: Is it a delta? Icarus. 319, 885-908.
  • Sweeney, J., Warner, N.H., Ganti, V., Golombek, M.P., Lamb, M.P., Fergason, R., Kirk, R. (2018). Degradation of 100-m-scale rocky ejecta craters at the InSight landing site on Mars and implications for surface processes and erosion rates in the Hesperian and Amazonian. JGR-Planets. .
  • Rogers, A.D., Warner, N.H., Golombek, M.P., Head, J.W., Cowart, J.C. (2018). Areally extensive olivine-enriched bedrock exposures on Mars: Many are clastic rocks, not lavas. Geophysical Research Letters. 45, 1767-1777.
  • Grindrod, P.M., Warner, N.H., Hobley D.E.J., Schwartz, C., Gupta, S. (2018). Stepped fans and facies-equivalent phyllosilicates in Coprates Catena, Mars. Icarus. 307, 260-280.
  • Golombek, M., Grott, M., Kargl, G., Andrade, J., Marshall, J., Warner, N.H. et. al. (2018). Geology and Physical Properties Investigations by the InSight Lander. Space Sci., Rev, 214 doi:org/10.1007/s11214-018-0512-7.
  • Fawdon, P., Gupta, S., Davis, J.M., Warner, N.H., Adler, J.B., Balme, M.R., Bell III, J.F., Grindrod, P.M., Nash, E.S. (2018). The Hypanis delta: The last highstand of a sea on early Mars? Earth and Planetary Science Letters. 500, 225-241.
  • Warner, N.H., Golombek, M.P., Sweeney, J., Fergason, R., Kirk, R., Schwartz, C. (2017). Near surface stratigraphy and regolith production in southwestern Elysium Planitia, Mars: Implications for Hesperian-Amazonian terrains and the InSight lander mission. Space Science Reviews. 211.
  • Golombek, M.P. Kipp, D., Warner, N.H., Dauber, I.J. et al. (2017). Selection of the InSight landing site. Space Science Reviews. 211. . p. 5 – 95.
  • Morgan, L.E., Munk, M., Davidheiser-Kroll, B., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Slaybaugh, R., Harkness, P., Mark, D. (2017). Instrumentation development for in situ 40Ar/39Ar planetary geochronology. Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research. 41, 381-396.
  • Schroder, C., Bland, P.A., Golombek, M.P., Ashley, J., Warner, N.H., Grant, J.A. (2016). Amazonian chemical weathering rate derived from stony meteorite finds at Meridiani Planum on Mars. Nature Communications. .
  • Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Calef, F., Grindrod, P., Boll, N., Goddard, K. (2015). Minimum effective area for high resolution crater counting of martian terrains. Icarus. v. 245. p. 198-240.
  • Duller, R. A., Warner, N. H., De Angelis, S., Armitage, J., Poyatos-Moré, M. (2015) . Geophysical Research Letters. .
  • Jaumann, R. et al. Warner, N.H. (2015). Quantifying geological processes on Mars – Results of the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) on Mars Express. Planetary and Space Science. 112, 53-97.
  • Golombek, M.P., Warner, N.H., Ganti, V., Lamb, M.P., Parker, T.J., Fergason, R.L. (2014). Small crater modification on Meridiani Planum and implications for erosion rates and climate change on Mars. JGR-Planets.
  • Grindrod, P.M. and Warner, N.H. (2014). Erosion rate and previous extent of interior layered deposits on Mars revealed by obstructed landslides. Geology. v. 42, p. 795-798.
  • Goddard, K., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R. (2014). Mechanisms and timescales of fluvial activity at Mojave and other young Martian craters. JGR-Planets.
  • Duller, R.A., Warner, N.H., McGonigle, C., De Angelis, S., Russell, A.J., Montgomery, N.P. (2014). Landscape reaction, response, and recovery following the catastrophic 1918 Katla jokulhlaup, southern, Iceland. Geophysical Research Letters. 41, 4214-4221.
  • Warner, N.H., Sowe, M., Gupta, S., Dumke, A., Goddard, K. (2013). Fill and spill of giant lakes in the eastern Valles Marineris region of Mars. Geology. v. 41. p. 675-678.
  • Kim, J-R., Lin, S-Y., Muller, J-P., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S. (2013). . Planetary and Space Science.
  • Rice, M., Bell, J.F., Gupta, S., Warner, N.H., Goddard, K., Anderson, R. (2013). The International Journal of Mars Exploration.
  • Grindrod, P., West, M., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S. (2012). Formation of a Hesperian-aged sedimentary basin containing phyllosilicates and sulfates in Coprates Catena, Mars. Icarus. v. 218. p. 178 – 195.
  • McIntyre, N., Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J.R., Muller, J.P. (2012). Hydraulic modeling of a distributary channel of Athabasca Valles, Mars, using a high resolution digital terrain model. JGR-Planets. 117. .
  • Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R., Muller, J-P., Le Corre, L., Morley, J., Lin, S., McGonigle, C. (2011). Constraints on the origin and evolution of Iani Chaos, Mars. JGR- Planets, v. 116.
  • Armitage, J., Warner, N.H., Goddard, K., Gupta, S. (2011). Timescales of alluvial fan development by precipitation on Mars. Geophysical Research Letters v. 38.
  • Warner, N.H., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R., Lin, S., Muller, J-P., (2010). Retreat of a giant cataract in a long-lived (3.7 Ga – 2.6 Ga) martian outflow channel. Geology, v. 38. p. 791 – 794.
  • Warner, N., Gupta, S., Lin, S., Kim, J-R., Muller, J-P., Morley, J. (2010). Late Noachian to Hesperian climate change on Mars: Evidence of episodic warming from transient crater lakes near Ares Vallis. Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets. v. 115.
  • Warner, N.H. and Farmer, J.D. (2010). Sub-glacial hydrothermal alteration minerals in Jökulhlaup deposits in southern Iceland, with implications for detecting past or present habitable environments on Mars. Astrobiology, v. 10. p. 523 – 547.
  • Warner, N., Gupta, S., Kim, J-R., Lin, S., Muller, J-P. (2010). Hesperian equatorial thermokarst lakes in Ares Vallis as evidence for transient warm conditions on Mars. Geology, v. 38. p. 71 – 74.
  • Warner, N., Gupta, S., Muller, J-P., Kim, J-R., Lin, S-Y. (2009). A refined chronology of catastrophic outflow events in Ares Vallis, Mars. Earth and Planet. Science Lett. v. 288. p. 58 – 69.
  • Warner, N.H., Farmer, J.D. (2008). Importance of aeolian processes in the origin of the north polar chasmata, Mars. Icarus. v. 196. p. 368 – 384.
  • Warner, N.H., Farmer, J.D. (2008). The origin of conical mounds at the mouth of Chasma Boreale. Journal of Geophysical Research, Planets. v. 113
  • Warner, N.H., Gregg, T.K.P. (2003). Evolved lavas on Mars? Observations from southwest Arsia Mons and Sabancaya volcano, Peru. JGR-Planets. 108. .

Grants & Awards

Grants

  • 2025: NASA Mars Data Analysis Program Principal Investigator (PI): Comparative 3D morphometric analysis of 100-m-scale impact craters on Mars and implications for understanding target lithology, near surface stratigraphy, and surface processes. $307,216
  • 2021: National Science Foundation’s Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) program, Collaborator, Acquisition of a Three Dimensional Raman Imaging System for the Integrated Science Center of µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø. $210,132
  • 2018“2022: NASA InSight Participating Scientist Program, Principal Investigator, Geologic Investigations at the InSight Landing Site. ~$320,000.
  • 2018“2019: Contract with NASA for InSight Site-Selection Working Group (ISSWG) for training and operations for landing of the InSight spacecraft on Mars. ~$30,000
  • 2018“2021: NASA Mars Data Analysis Program, Co-Investigator, Origin, preservation and exposure histories of rock units in the Noachian plains. ~$485,000
  • 2016: SUNY IITG: Innovative Instruction Technology Grant, Co-Principal Investigator, for purchase of a UAV and related tech, $24,200.
  • 2015“2020: National Science Foundation, Geoscience Scholarships (GeoS) to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Academically Talented Students, Co-Investigator, ~$639,000. 2013 – 2016 Funded: Mars Data Analysis Program (NASA-MDAP), Principal Investigator (PI), A Wetter Hesperian Mars: Evidence from Equatorial Periglacial Terrains, Lacustrine Systems, and Fluvial Networks, ~$360,000.
  • 2012: NASA Postdoctoral Fellowship, 2 years, $120,000
  • 2007: Lewis and Clark Fund for Exploration and Research in Astrobiology Grant: American Philosophical Society/NASA
  • 2005: NASA Space Grant Graduate Fellowship: Arizona State University

Awards & Honors

  • 2019: SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Scholarly and Creative Activity
  • NASA Group Achievement Award – InSight mission (For excellence in developing the process, characterizing the instrument deployment area and selecting locations to place the InSight instruments on the surface of Mars).
  • 2015: µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø Professional Alumni Achievement Award.
  • NASA Group Achievement Award – Mars Exploration Rover – Opportunity (For excellence in mission operations and scientific return).
  • 2002: Stephen E. Dwornik Award, Geological Society of America Planetary Division
  • 2000: µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø Graduation with Honors, Geological Sciences
  • 1997: µÚÒ»³Ô¹ÏÍø Geological Science Alumni Scholarship
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