Saira Hamid
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Arizona State University PSF Room F660B Tempe, AZ 85821
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Mail code: 6004Campus: Tempe
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Dr. Saira Hamid is a Presidential Postdoctoral Fellow in the School of Earth and Space Exploration. She studies planetary surface processes and surface–atmosphere exchange across terrestrial bodies, including Earth and Mars, with a focus on volcanism, dust, and atmospheric transport as drivers of climate evolution and microbial dispersal. In parallel, she contributes to lunar robotic exploration and sample return efforts, drawing on her background in lunar geology and volcanology to inform mission science planning. Through her research, she aims to strengthen the scientific foundation guiding future planetary missions.
- PhD Geological Sciences, Arizona State University 2024
- M.S. Geological Sciences, Arizona State University 2022
- B.S. Geosciences, Georgia State University 2018
- Geographic Information Science Certificate, Georgia State University 2018
My current primary research focuses on planetary atmospheres and climate dynamics, with particular emphasis on surface–atmosphere interactions driven by mineral dust transport, aerosols, and volcanism. I study Earth’s aerial ecosystem through trans-Atlantic research cruises, examining how Saharan dust shapes atmospheric processes and the aeromicrobiome. I also investigate volcanic dispersal in the Martian atmosphere using planetary climate modeling to better understand atmosphere–surface coupling across planetary environments.
In parallel, I work on lunar robotic exploration and sample return, applying my background in lunar geology and volcanology to inform landing site evaluation, mission science planning, and the interpretation of returned samples. This work contributes to ongoing efforts to advance scientific return from robotic missions and supports the broader trajectory of sustained lunar exploration.
My scholarly interests continue to evolve, unified by a focus on exploration and the insights it offers into both other planets and our own world.
Hamid, S. S., et al. (2025) Precipitation induced by explosive volcanism on Mars and its implications for unexpected equatorial ice. Nature Communications. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63518-8
Hamid, S. S., et al. (2025) Warming, Cooling, and Surface Ice Accumulation Initiated by the Release of Water from the Athabasca Valles Flood Lava Eruption on Mars. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, 671, 119651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119651
Mather, T. A., Shorttle, O., Hamid, S., Gaillard, F., & Noack, L. (In press) Volcanism and Planetary Atmospheres: Earth, Our Solar System, and Beyond. The Encyclopedia of Volcanoes, Third Edition. [Author of subsection: “Volcanism, atmospheres, and long-term planetary climate.”]
Braude, A. S., Kerber, L., Lefèvre, F., Jaziri, A. Y., Hamid, S. S., Millour, E., & Forget, F. (2025). Modelling the effect of volcanic outgassing of sulphur on early Martian surface temperatures using a 3-D Global Climate Model. Icarus, Article 116568. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2025.116568
Hamid, S. S., et al. (2024) The Delivery of Water Ice to the Martian Surface by Passive Degassing. Icarus Special Issue: Ices in the Solar System; origin, evolution, and distribution (416), 116084. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2024.116084
Hamid, S. S., et al. (2023) A Long-lived Lunar Magnetic Field Powered by Convection in the Core and a Basal Magma Ocean. Planet. Sci. J. 4 88. https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/accb99
Hamid S., O’Rourke J.G. (2022) Modeling of the Lunar Magma Ocean. In: Cudnik B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Lunar Science. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-05546-6_28-1
Hamid, S. (2019). “Volcanoes”, Global Treks and Adventures Reykjavík Day Hikes. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, pg. 52-57.