Liberal Arts and Sciences
Williams Lab
Led by Amy Williams · Geological Sciences
What we study
Dr. Amy Williams studies how life leaves traces in extreme environments on Earth, using these findings to search for signs of life on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus. Her work supports NASA missions like the Mars rovers Curiosity and Perseverance.
What working here is like
- Wet lab
- Fieldwork
- No organisms (data only)
- Bacteria & microbes
- Coding helps
- Projects
- 3
- Papers
- 5
Current projects
Search for biosignatures on Mars, Europa, and Enceladus
Using Earth's extreme environments to guide the search for life on other planets.
Project Lipid Biosignatures in Alkaline Lakes: Implications for Life Detection on Mars
Researchers tested whether salty magnesium sulfate minerals from a Canadian lake can keep tiny organic molecules intact, using a rover‑type analysis that found fatty acids and alkanes at 0.001‑0.45 ng per mg of sample. The results suggest similar Martian environments could preserve signs of life.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 519
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Lipid Biosignatures in Lava Tubes: Implications for Life Detection on Mars
The lab examined rock samples from basaltic lava tubes at Craters of the Moon using two pyrolysis techniques to see which best releases organic molecules like fatty acid methyl esters and hydrocarbons, helping decide how to look for signs of life on Mars. Results showed flash pyrolysis works better than ramped pyrolysis.
From the Spring 2025 UF Undergraduate Research Symposium · abstract book, p. 489
Summaries are written by AI in plain language from public symposium abstracts and may be imperfect.
Recent papers, explained
- Scientific Highlights and Status of the Mars Science Laboratory Mission, Years 9 Through 12
2026 · Space Science Reviews
Summarizes findings from years 9 to 12 of the Mars Science Laboratory mission.
- Field-tested guidelines for designing accessible, inclusive geoscience field courses
2026 · Journal of Geoscience Education
Creates guidelines for making geoscience field trips more accessible to all students.
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- Spatially distributed complex organic matter detected in an ancient river valley in Jezero crater, Mars
2026 · Science Advances
Finds organic carbon in mudstones from an ancient river valley on Mars.
- Diverse organic molecules on Mars revealed by the first SAM TMAH experiment
2026 · Nature Communications
Detects over 20 organic molecules in clay-bearing rocks on Mars.
- Carbonated ultramafic igneous rocks in Jezero crater, Mars
2025 · Science
Plain-language summaries are AI-written and reviewed by us; check the paper for details.
How to reach out
Amy Williams hasn't set up this page yet. Their UF Scholars profile lists their publications.