MACKENZIE WHITE
PhD Candidate | Science Writer
ABOUT
A writer and planetary science Ph.D. candidate interested in science journalism, rocks, space, and climate change. 2022 AAAS Mass Media Fellow at Science Friday. Current NASA mission involvement includes LRO Diviner, Mars 2020, and InSight. She loves Mars, the Rocky Mountains, Austin breakfast tacos, and her dog, Rocky.
PUBLICATIONS
Science Writing + Reporting:
MIT News:
High school teams compete at 2024 MIT Science Bowl Invitational
Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi on Climate Change and Deaf Communities
Astronomy.com:
JWST just found a black hole starving its host galaxy to death
Eos:
Marine Life May Be Headed to Higher Latitudes
A Tiny New Device Could Help Find Extraterrestrial Life
Decoding an Ancient Tsunami from the Ground Up
Eiko Kitao: Fossil Hunter and Passionate Educator
Google Arts & Culture:
Gas Giants of Our Solar System
The Future of Saturn’s Shape in Our Sky
Dwarf Planets of Our Solar System
Science Friday:
The Countdown Begins For Humanity’s Return To The Moon
Teen Innovator’s New AI Tool Helps Create Affordable Drugs
A High School Student Invented An Affordable Brain-Reading Prosthetic
A Teen Inventor Builds A Fingerprint Scanner for Gender Equity
Can Genetic Modification Help Plants Survive Climate Change?
Stunning JWST Images Show New Details Of The Universe
Photography: The New G.O.A.T. Of Park Systems Is An Actual Goat
NASW:
Plastic-ridden plankton are poisoning gray whales
Probing patient stories–and unsettled science–without breaking trust
Astrobites:
Mercury Has Ice…But Wait, There’s More!
Nature:
Top climate scientists are sceptical that nations will rein in global warming
Additional outlets and media:
UTSW Medical Center: 20 years of TAMEST: Supporting innovation at UT Southwestern and beyond
Press releases and event coverage (a sample of my work: McDonald Observatory Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve)
Photography (The New G.O.A.T. Of Park Systems Is An Actual Goat)​​
Research:​
Siegler, M.A., Feng, J., ... White, M. Remote detection of a lunar granitic batholith at Compton–Belkovich. Nature (2023). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06183-5
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Siegler, M., Warren, P., Franco, K. L., Paige, D., Feng, J., & White, M. (2022). Lunar Heat Flow: Global Predictions and Reduced Heat Flux. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets, 127, e2022JE007182. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JE007182
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Feng, J.; Siegler, M.A.; White, M.N. Shallow Regolith Structure and Obstructions Detected by Lunar Regolith Penetrating Radar at Chang’E-5 Drilling Site. Remote Sens. 2022, 14, 3378. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14143378
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Feng, Jianqing, Matthew. A. Siegler, and Mackenzie N. White. 2022. “Dielectric Properties and Stratigraphy of Regolith in the Lunar South Pole-Aitken Basin: Observations from the Lunar Penetrating Radar.” Astronomy & Astrophysics 661 (May): A47. https://doi.org/10.1051/0004-6361/202143015.
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Matthew A. Siegler, Jianqing Feng, Paul G. G. Lucey, Rebecca Ghent, Paul O. Hayne, Mackenzie White. 2020. "Lunar titanium and frequency dependent microwave loss tangent as constrained by the Chang'E-2 MRM and LRO Diviner Lunar Radiometers." Journal of Geophysical Research - Planets.
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Foster, William J., Daniel J. Lehrmann, Jaime A. Hirtz, Mackenzie White, Meiyi Yu, Ji Li, and Rowan C. Martindale. 2019. “Early Triassic Benthic Invertebrates from the Great Bank of Guizhou, South China: Systematic Palaeontology and Palaeobiology.” Edited by Michael Hautmann. Papers in Palaeontology 5 (4): 613–56. https://doi.org/10.1002/spp2.1252.​
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Conferences:​​
55th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2024) – Martian Geophysics: Mission to Mars Posters: White M., Siegler M.A.: Constraining Subsurface Temperatures Using Mars 2020 RIMFAX Passive Radiometry [#2629].
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AGU (2023) – P13F: Multidisciplinary Studies in Planetary Geodesy and Geophysics: Assessing Planetary Heat Flow: White M., Siegler M.A.. Insights from Lunar and Martian Investigations [#2837].
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ComSciCon Flagship Conference (2023) – Poster: Hidden Hypothesis: Unraveling Science's Secrets: A True Crime Podcast. M. White, S. Kulkarni, J. Rodriguez, J. Sharma.
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53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2022) – Talk: A YEAR OF PERSEVERANCE AT JEZERO II: Siegler M.A., White M., [...] Passive Radiometry of Subsurface Temperatures Using the Mars 2020 Rimfax Instrument [#1491]
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53rd Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2022) – Apollo's Legacy Posters: White M., Siegler M.A., Million C.: Apollo Heat Flow Experiment: Implications for Lunar Thermophysical Properties and Heat Flow [#2485]
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50th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2019) – Poster Session II: 50 Years of Apollo Legacy: White M., Siegler M.A.: Apollo Lunar Heat Flow Experiment: An evaluation of potential causes of subsurface temperature drift [#2132]
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47TH Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2016) – Poster Session II: Mars Polar Processes/Cryosphere: Levy J. S., Fassett C. I., Chaffey P. M., White M.: Boulder Size Distributions on Martian Debris-Covered Glaciers: Flow History and Timescale]: Boulder size-frequency distributions on debris-covered glacier landforms provide insight into transport timescales, erosion, and climatic processes.
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In the News:
Scientists Have Found a Hot Spot on the Moon’s Far Side (The New York Tims)
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Just the highlights – please get in contact for complete CV & work experience.
May 2018 - Present
PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTITUTE, RESEARCH SCIENTIST
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Mars 2020 Science Team: modeled new method of heat flow estimate using RIMFAX ground penetrating radar data, processed and evaluated RIMFAX passive data
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InSight Science Team: modeled subsurface heat flow
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Reevaluated lunar geophysical properties at Apollo 15 and 17 sites
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Research assistant to Dr. Matthew Siegler
January 2019 - Present
NASA GEODES, GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCHER
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Investigate planetary analog ice cave deposits, lava tubes, and voids using geophysical methods, including GPR, IR, photography, and physical measurements
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Create written content and photography featuring fieldwork and events for public engagement efforts supporting GEODES (Geophysical Exploration of the Dynamics and Evolution of the Solar System) – a team within the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute
October 2017 - May 2018
THE MARTINDALE LAB, RESEARCH ASSISTANT TO DR. ROWAN MARTINDALE
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Classified and analyzed Early Jurassic rock samples to understand oceanic anoxic events and reef system changes
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Processed and analyzed results sample results from the Environmental Scanning Electron
September 2015 - May 2017
UT INSTITUTE FOR GEOPHYSICS, RESEARCH ASSISTANT
Identified flow morphologies on Martian debris-covered glaciers
Produced and interpreted results for Mars Boulder Project using ArcGIS, Excel, & Matlab
Wrote 60-pg. honors thesis detailing results of extensive Martian geomorphology study
Profile Features
GEODES (Geophysical Exploration of the Dynamics and Evolution of the Solar System) is a team within the NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute
AAAS Mass Media Science & Engineering Fellowship (Science Friday)
Eos is the award-winning science news magazine published by AGU
The MIT Graduate Program in Science Writing (GPSW) is one of the world’s premier master’s programs in science journalism and communication.
ComSciCon is a series of workshops focused on the communication of complex and technical concepts organized by graduate students, for graduate students
The National Association of Science Writers
The Planetary Science Institute is a non-profit research organization focusing on planetary science
Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide.
Access publications and connect with researchers
Professional Associations
American Geophysical Union
AGU
National Association of Science Writers NASWAGU
Earth Science Women's Network ESWN
American Association for the Advancement of Science AAAS
RECOGNITIONS
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2022 American Association for the Advancement of Science Mass Media Fellow (Science Friday)
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Papers in Palaeontology Best Annual Paper
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NASA/Texas Space Grant Fellowship Recipient 2019, 2021
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University Honors, The University of Texas
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Jackson School of Geosciences Field Scholarship
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J. D. and V. L. Langston Endowed Scholarship Fund in Geology and Geophysics
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Jacque Nell and David Scott Holland, Sr. Student Excellence Fund in the Geosciences
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Richard Chuchla Dean's Discretionary Fund, Yilmaz and Atalay Undergraduate Scholarship in the Geosciences
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Jackson Undergraduate Support Fund Scholarship
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COLA: Nature, Society, and Sustainability in Ecuador Scholarship
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COLA: Spanish & Portuguese Faculty Led Summer Scholarship
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William Butler Yeats Hammer of Unity Award (highest course grade in Plan II Honors World Literature)
CERTIFICATES AND PROGRAMS
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ComSciCon Flagship Workshop, Boston, MA (July 2023)
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Google Cloud Skills Boost – Generative AI (July 2023): a 10-course series covering generative AI products and technologies
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Course: SCOPE (Science Communication Online Programme), Northwestern University and NSF (In-Progress)
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Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) – Ambassador (2019, 2022, 2023)
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Certificate: Advanced Fact-Checking Workshop, MIT Knight Science Journalism Program (August 2022)
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NASW Perlman Mentoring Program – Student Writer (2021, 2023)
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
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​Campanile Capital Traders – Financial Analyst Intern; Austin, TX (July 2017–June 2018)
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Cardwell, Hart, & Bennett L.L.P. – Copy Editor and Office Manager; Austin, TX (August 2014–January 2015)
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Watts Guerra L.L.P. – Legal Intern; Austin, TX (Summer 2012, 2013)
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U.S. Congressman Lloyd Doggett – Congressional Intern; Austin, TX (Fall 2013)
LEADERSHIP
ComSciCon Flagship Workshop
LOGISTICS COMMITTEE
November 2023 - Present
TEXAS 4000 FOR CANCER
RIDE LEAD
November 2014 - December 2017
PLAN II HONORS STUDENT ASSOCIATION
PRESIDENT
August 2012 - December 2017
DELTA GAMMA FRATERNITY
SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE
August 2012 - May 2016
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Designed the 2024 ComSciCon Flagship Workshop graphics, logos, and swag elements
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Assisted with the organization, planning, and execution of the Flagship Workshop as a member of the logistics organizing committe
Trained for and biked 4,500 miles from Austin, TX to Anchorage, AK (~70 mi/day for 70 days) to raise money for cancer research
Raised $4.75k personally for cancer research and cancer prevention, contributing to the over $7 million Texas 4000 has raised to date
Led training rides triweekly and served as personal coach, improving team skills and confidence for the summer ride
Responsible for organizing events for Plan II Honors — a selective interdisciplinary honors program of 600 undergraduate students
Advised and assisted Plan II faculty with course selection and implementation of program policies, impacting student education
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Initiated increase of inter-fraternity relationships via study groups and in-house tutoring sessions
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Volunteered weekly at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
EDUCATION
An education consisting of a diverse selection of coursework, including honors science and liberal arts degrees. Undergraduate degrees: Plan II Honors (an interdisciplinary program with a writing focus) and Geological Sciences with minors in Geography and Government. Ph.D. in Geophysics (Planetary Science) in progress.
August 2024 - October 2025
MIT
S.M., SCIENCE WRITING
June 2021 - Nov 2022
At UCLA: Visiting graduate researcher in the Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences
THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES
VISITING GRADUATE RESEARCHER
January 2019 - Present, Expected May 2024
SMU
PH.D. GEOPHYSICS
At SMU: worked with Dr. Matthew Siegler (focusing on thermal modeling), received the NASA/Texas Space Grant and was a contributing member of the InSight, Diviner LRO, and Mars 2020 science teams.
August 2012 - May 2017
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
B.A., PLAN II HONORS & GEOGRAPHY
B.S., GEOLOGICAL SCIENCES
MINOR: GOVERNMENT
At UT: received university honors, served as President of the Plan II Honors Student Association, participated in multiple research labs, and was a member of the Texas 4000 for Cancer team. Earned degrees from the Jackson School of Geosciences and the College of Liberal Arts.
2008 - 2012
TEXAS MILITARY INSTITUTE
HIGH SCHOOL
At TMI: president of the National Honor Society, captain of the varsity basketball and golf teams, named a KSAT12 News Scholar Athlete, a National Merit Scholar, and received the Richard T. Whatton English Award and Sewanee Writing Award of Excellence.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
TECHNICAL
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Graphic Design (Adobe Creative Suite)
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Google Generative AI
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Matlab, Comsol Multiphysics, ArcGIS, Python
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MS Office Suite
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Social Media (Twitter, Tik Tok, Instagram, etc.)
LANGUAGES
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Written and spoken: English, conversational Spanish.
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Digital: diverse coding, digital media (graphic design and art).
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I love to write and communicate through diverse media.
VOLUNTEERING
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Austin & Dallas Pets Alive!
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Austin Parks and Recreation
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Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
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Austin Sustainable Food Center
Video Portrait of the MIT Sailing Pavilion:
Sample video project from MIT short documentary course.
ETC.
FITNESS + COACHING
I love anything that gets me outside, from running at the park to backcountry skiing in the mountains.
PHOTOGRAPHY
I have professional experience photographing nature, conferences, and story portraits. Click here for an example!
WRITE.EDIT. DESIGN.
I am a writer, editor, and digital designer. I primarily cover science, art, culture, and events. I'm always open to pitches and proposals for freelance work! View a few of my designs for ComSciCon 2024 here.
GET IN TOUCH
210-259-1949