Erica Barlow
  • About
  • Research
  • Fieldwork
  • Publications & Presentations
  • Teaching
  • Professional Involvement

About Me

I'm currently a NASA Postdoctoral Program Fellow based at Penn State University, working with Prof. Chris House and the Laboratory for Agnostic Biosignatures team. I'm a graduate of the Australian Centre for Astrobiology at the University of New South Wales, where I received a BEnvSc in Earth Science (Hons Class 1, Geology) in 2015, and a PhD in Geology in 2019. 

I specialise in identifying and characterising ancient fossils in the form of microbialites (macroscopic structures built by communities of microorganisms) and microfossils (cellularly-preserved remains of microorganisms), and studying their mineralogic and isotopic signatures. This work provides insight into the type and diversity of life present early on in Earth's history and aids in the search for fossilised life elsewhere.​ Read more about my research here.

Throughout my Geoscience career, I've had the opportunity to explore many beautiful and interesting places (check some of them out here!). I enjoy doing field work, but also being in the outdoors in general. Camping, hiking, caving, and kayaking are some of my favourite activities. ​

Contact

Feel free to contact me by email or through my social media.
Picture
I would like to acknowledge the Dharug & Gundungurra peoples, who are the traditional custodians of the land on which I grew up and call home.
I recognise their continued connection to Country and I pay my respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

​----
© Erica Barlow 2023
  • About
  • Research
  • Fieldwork
  • Publications & Presentations
  • Teaching
  • Professional Involvement