Dr. Racine D. Cleveland is a Planetary Science Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at Boise State University in the Physics Department under the advisement of Dr. Brian Jackson. Her work combines GIS techniques, UAV-enabled field campaigns, and comparative planetology to advance understanding of volatile-driven and aeolian processes across planetary environments.
Education
Ph.D., Space and Planetary Science — University of ArkansasFeb 2026
Of Dunes and Ice: A Surface–Atmosphere Investigation of Mars CO₂ Sublimation Features and Titan Aeolian Fields
Student Research Assistant — Unmanned Systems Research Institute2018–2019
UAV and satellite image comparison
Part 107 flight operations
GIS Technician — Oklahoma State University
Converted infrastructure data from AutoCAD to GIS
Funded Research
NASA MDAP Research — University of Arkansas
Quantified evolution of Martian South Polar Residual Cap
o To accomplish this objective, we will determined the size of the pits as a function of time for every location where multiple images of pits overlap. We then developed and use an object-based image method to automatically identify and measure attributes of sublimation pits. Then from multiple measurements, we calculated the surface area evolution over time.
R. D. Cleveland, M. H. Aly (2025) “Radar Insights into Dune Terrain on Titan and in the Namib Desert”, Eighth International Planetary Dune Workshop, Abstract #3017 (Main Presenter)
R. D. Cleveland, V. Chevrier, J. A. Tullis (2025) “Exploring the Sublimation Dynamics of Mars’ South Polar Residual Cap”, Eighth International Conference on Mars Polar Science and Exploration, Abstract #6074 (Main Presenter)
R. D. Cleveland, V. Chevrier, J. A. Tullis (2025) “Swiss Cheese Feature Dynamics: Remote Sensing Analysis”, LPSC LVI, Abstract #2179 (Main Presenter)
R. D. Cleveland, V. Chevrier, J. A. Tullis (2024) “The Making of Swiss Cheese: A Martian Recipe”, LPSC LV, Abstract #2397 (Main Presenter)
R. D. Cleveland, V. Chevrier, J. A. Tullis (2023) “An Object-Based Image Analysis of “Swiss Cheese” Terrains’ Evolution on the Martian South Polar Cap”, LPSC LIV, Abstract #2726 (Main Presenter)
R. D. Swick, V. Chevrier, J. A. Tullis (2020) “An Object-Based Image Analysis of the Swiss Cheese Terrain Evolution on the Martian South Pole: Preliminary Results”, LPSC LI, Abstract #2628 (Main Presenter)
R. D. Swick, A. Frazier, J. Jacob, and V. Natalie (2019) “Impacts of Land Surface Heterogeneity on Thermodynamic Variables Collected from Unmanned Aircraft Systems: Results from the 2018 LAPSE-RATE Field Campaign”. AMS XCIX, Abstract #S147 (Main Presenter)
Skills & Certifications
ArcGIS, ENVI, SNAP, Python, R, QGIS, eCognition
FAA Part 107 Certified
GIS Certificate
Conference Moderator (LPSC, Planetary Dune Workshop)
Field Work
NASA Dragonfly Field Campaign — Namib Sand Sea (2025)
The trip placed Titan and Mars community scientists into a Dragonfly landing site analog environment to study the materials, scales and textures of the unique Namib linear dune landscape where they considered how to translate that experience to Titan. Participants observed the landscape from different locations, helped plan drone flights, with an eye toward what Dragonfly may obtain, and related the results to ground truth. Such a preparatory experience is accessible now and could ultimately lead to the best interpretation and scientific return for the unique data from Dragonfly.