Cathy Quantin Nataf

The 2025 Runcorn-Florensky Medal is awarded to Cathy Quantin Nataf for groundbreaking contributions to the geology of ancient Mars through her research on sedimentary records and erosional history, and for her pivotal roles in the Mars 2020 and Exomars missions.

Cathy Quantin-Nataf, Professor at the University of Lyon 1, has accomplished groundbreaking research focusing on the geology of ancient Mars. Her seminal work on the ancient sedimentary record and erosional history of Mars has significantly advanced our understanding of the planet’s watery past. Her expertise spans a broad range of skills, including remote sensing in geomorphology and spectroscopy, radar sounding, digital terrain analysis, and geophysical modelling. Her research has elucidated the mechanisms and timelines of aqueous sediment deposition on Mars, highlighting environments that once sustained liquid water.

Quantin-Nataf is also a key contributor to the worldwide Mars scientific community. Her involvement in the NASA-led Mars2020 rover mission and the forthcoming ESA-led ExoMars rover mission exemplifies her commitment. On Mars2020, she plays a critical role in scientific operations and is directly involved in the selection of Martian rock sample collection sites for the future Mars Sample Return mission. For ExoMars, she led the proposal for the primary landing site, Oxia Planum, underscoring her influential expertise. She is a very knowledgeable investigator, having a great deal of initiative and the ability to successfully bring projects to completion.

A visionary scientist, Quantin-Nataf excels at integrating diverse scientific disciplines and fostering collaboration among instrument teams. Her innovative approach combines new observational techniques with traditional geological mapping to enhance our understanding of Mars' sedimentary history.

Quantin-Nataf has conducted prolific research and established numerous collaborations within the scientific community, while maintaining a strong commitment to teaching, which represents about half of her time. She has also provided exceptional and unselfish mentorship and promoted the work of her students within the broader scientific community. In addition, she has been the principal investigator on two highly competitive European Research Council grants, further highlighting her leadership in advancing planetary science.

Beyond her scientific achievements, Quantin-Nataf actively engages in public outreach, promoting the role of women in science. Her commitment to this cause aligns with her desire to improve how research is conducted, leading her to take on key roles in both the administrative and scientific functions of the university.

In summary, Cathy Quantin-Nataf’s pioneering research on ancient Mars, leadership in Mars exploration missions, and contributions to the scientific community make her an outstanding candidate for the Runcorn-Florensky Medal. Her work has significantly deepened our understanding of Mars' geological history and its potential for past habitability, fulfilling the core criteria of this prestigious award.