Racine D. Cleveland

Howdy!

I'm Racine Cleveland (she/her), a GIS and remote sensing scientist and Planetary Science Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Boise State University under the advisement of Dr. Brian Jackson in the Physics and Astronomy Department. I recently earned my PhD in Space and Planetary Science from the University of Arkansas, where my dissertation focused on surface–atmosphere interactions on Mars and Titan. I also hold a Master of Science in Geography from the University of Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Oklahoma State University. My background combines GIS, remote sensing, geospatial analysis, and planetary science, and while I am currently based in Boise, Idaho, my roots are in Prague, Oklahoma.

My research uses imagery, radar data, and geospatial analysis to investigate how planetary surfaces change over time. On Mars, I have used high-resolution HiRISE imagery to quantify sublimation-driven geomorphic change on the South Polar Residual Cap. On Titan, I have studied radar backscatter from organic dune fields and compared those observations with terrestrial dune analogs to better understand how surface properties influence remote sensing observations.

My current work focuses on terrestrial and Martian dust devil physics. By combining field campaigns, environmental sensor networks, and Mars 2020 mission data, I investigate how boundary-layer processes influence surface–atmosphere interactions on Earth and Mars. These studies draw on GIS, remote sensing, field measurements, and comparative planetology to understand how similar physical processes operate across different planetary environments.

In addition to research, I have taught and developed university-level GIS courses, including Geodatabases, Spatial Analysis, and Geospatial Applications. I am also active in science outreach through the IDAstro program and Bruneau Dunes State Park Observatory, where I help connect students and the public with astronomy, planetary science, and space exploration.

I am interested in using GIS, remote sensing, and field-based observations to better understand dynamic planetary environments and support future exploration of Earth and the Solar System.