Penelope J. Boston Associate Professor of Cave and Karst Science Director, Cave and Karst Studies Dept of Earth & Environmental Science New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM 87801 Office: MSEC 336 Phone: (575) 835-5657 Fax: (575) 835-6436 Email: pboston at nmt.edu BA, MS, PhD University of Colorado, Boulder (1985)

My areas of research include cave geomicrobiology, microbial life in highly mineralized environments, unique or characteristic biominerals and biosignature detection. Additionally, I am involved in astrobiology and the search for life beyond Earth. Cave formation mechanisms on other planetary bodies is a topic of particular interest to me. My background includes geology, microbiology, atmospheric chemistry, global biogeochemical cycling, and climate/life interactions.

I came to NMT to create a new program, Cave and Karst Studies, in conjunction with the founding of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute, of which I am the Associate Director. NMT is the major partner with this new national institute.

I am passionate about and extensively involved in educational outreach about caves and karst issues, space exploration, and general science for school kids, older students, elder groups, and the general public.

• Research
  • Geomicrobiology Lab
  • Cave & Karst Lab
• Teaching
• Links
• Selected Publications
• Students