Hara, Ellie
Education: PhD Geological Sciences
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Other Affiliations: Science Research Initiative (SRI) Fellow, University of Utah
Contact: ellie.hara@bmsis.org
Links: www.elliehara.com
Ellie Hara is joining us as our newest Affiliate at Blue Marble Space. Dr. Ellie Hara earned her Ph.D. in Geological Sciences from the University of Colorado Boulder and her B.S. in Geology from the University of Southern California. She was previously a postdoctoral researcher with the RARE Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and she will join the University of Utah's Science Research Initiative as a postdoctoral fellow in August 2026. Her research focuses on mineral-facilitated redox reactions and how environmental parameters govern mineral phase transformations. She explores these processes through experimental geochemistry to better understand prebiotically relevant reactions across a range of hydrothermal conditions, with particular attention to iron hydroxide mineralogy, serpentinizing systems, and abiotic carbon chemistry. Beyond her research, Dr. Hara is deeply passionate about science education and ensuring equitable access to higher education, especially for students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Having benefitted enormously from the community college system herself, she understands firsthand the doors it can open, and she is committed to mentoring the next generation of scientists across institution types. You can find out more about Ellie at www.elliehara.com.