UCLA Institute for Planets and Exoplanets

The UCLA Institute for Planets and Exoplanets (iPlex) is a research-focused academic institute dedicated to the study of planetary systems. Founded in 2015 as part of the UCLA Department of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, iPlex offers graduate-level education – including new M.S. and Ph.D. programs in Planetary Science – and conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as planetary geology, seismology, and the search for biosignatures. A key focus of iPlex’s research involves supporting and contributing to major NASA missions, particularly those exploring Mars.

iPlex faculty and researchers are actively involved in missions like the Perseverance rover program, with significant roles in instrument operation – such as Dr. David Paige’s leadership on the RIMFAX instrument – and scientific analysis of Martian geological features, including research into the Jezero Crater and the potential for past water activity led by Dr. Mackenzie Day. The institute’s expertise extends to analyzing data from past missions, like those utilizing Apollo samples, and informing future landing site selection and traverse planning.

Notably, iPlex has a demonstrated track record of contributing to the development of future planetary scientists, with alumna Jessica Watkins recently selected for a mission to the International Space Station, leveraging research conducted under the guidance of iPlex-affiliated faculty. The institute’s research supports a broad range of planetary exploration efforts, from studying the emplacement of landslides on Mars and Earth to contributing to the understanding of the origins of life and the potential for habitability on other worlds.