World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!
Maria T. Zuber

Maria T. Zuber

Award Badge
Best Female Scientists
2025
Award Badge
Earth Science
USA
2026

D-Index & Metrics

Best Female Scientists

D-Index
118
Citations
43045
World Ranking
621
National Ranking
379

Earth Science

D-Index
121
Citations
43857
World Ranking
41
National Ranking
17

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2026 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Best Female Scientists Award
  • 2025 - Research.com Earth Science in United States Leader Award
  • 2007 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • 2004 - Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences
  • 2004 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • 2001 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)

Overview

Maria T. Zuber is affiliated with MIT in the United States, specializing in the fields of physics and astronomy. Their research primarily focuses on planetary science and exploration, with additional work in related subfields such as astronomy and astrophysics, aerospace engineering, molecular biology, atmospheric science, and general health professions.

Their work encompasses various topics, including planetary science and exploration, astro and planetary science, space exploration and technology, space science and extraterrestrial life, geology and paleoclimatology research, origins and evolution of life, and geomagnetism and paleomagnetism studies.

Maria T. Zuber has published multiple papers in notable scientific venues. Some recent publications include:

  • Improved LOLA elevation maps for south pole landing sites: Error estimates and their impact on illumination conditions, 2020, Planetary and Space Science
  • Observations, Meteorites, and Models: A Preflight Assessment of the Composition and Formation of (16) Psyche, 2020, Journal of Geophysical Research Planets
  • Moving academic research forward during COVID-19, 2020, Science
  • Confronting risks of mirror life, 2024, Science
  • Distinguishing the Origin of Asteroid (16) Psyche, 2022, Space Science Reviews

The scientist's frequent co-authors include David E. Smith, E. Mazarico, J. W. Head, G. A. Neumann, and M. A. Wieczorek.

The most common venues for their publications are:

  • The Planetary Science Journal
  • Space Science Reviews
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
  • Journal of Geophysical Research Planets
  • Science

Maria T. Zuber has been recognized by several scientific organizations. They are a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since 2007, a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences since 2004, a Member of the National Academy of Sciences since 2004, and a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU) since 2001.

Best Publications

  • Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter: Experiment summary after the first year of global mapping of Mars

    David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Herbert V. Frey;James B. Garvin

  • The Global Topography of Mars and Implications for Surface Evolution

    David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Roger J. Phillips

  • The Crust of the Moon as Seen by GRAIL

    Mark A. Wieczorek;Gregory A. Neumann;Francis Nimmo;Walter S. Kiefer

  • Role of temperature‐dependent viscosity and surface plates in spherical shell models of mantle convection

    Shijie Zhong;Maria T. Zuber;Louis Moresi;Michael Gurnis

  • Internal Structure and Early Thermal Evolution of Mars from Mars Global Surveyor Topography and Gravity

    Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Roger J. Phillips;David E. Smith

  • The Mars Observer laser altimeter investigation

    M. T. Zuber;D. E. Smith;S. C. Solomon;D. O. Muhleman

  • Dawn at Vesta: Testing the Protoplanetary Paradigm

    C. T. Russell;C. A. Raymond;A. Coradini;H. Y. McSween

  • Gravity field of the Moon from the Gravity Recovery and Interior Laboratory (GRAIL) mission.

    Maria T. Zuber;David E. Smith;Michael M. Watkins;Sami W. Asmar

  • The Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter Investigation on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Mission

    David E. Smith;Maria T. Zuber;Glenn B. Jackson;John F. Cavanaugh

  • Ancient Geodynamics and Global-Scale Hydrology on Mars

    Roger J. Phillips;Maria T. Zuber;Maria T. Zuber;Sean C. Solomon;Matthew P. Golombek

  • Initial observations from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA)

    David Edmund Smith;David Edmund Smith;Maria Zuber;Gregory A. Neumann;Frank G. Lemoine

  • A New Lunar Digital Elevation Model from the Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter and SELENE Terrain Camera

    M.K. Barker;E. Mazarico;G.A. Neumann;M.T. Zuber

  • The Clementine Mission to the Moon: Scientific Overview

    Stewart Nozette;P. Rustan;L. P. Pleasance;D. M. Horan

  • The Shape and Internal Structure of the Moon from the Clementine Mission

    Maria T. Zuber;David E. Smith;Frank G. Lemoine;Gregory A. Neumann

  • Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Overview: The Instrument Suite and Mission

    Gordon Chin;Scott Brylow;Marc Foote;James Garvin

  • Mars high resolution gravity fields from MRO, Mars seasonal gravity, and other dynamical parameters

    Alex S. Konopliv;Sami W. Asmar;William M. Folkner;Özgür Karatekin

  • Hydrogen mapping of the lunar south pole using the LRO neutron detector experiment LEND.

    I. G. Mitrofanov;A. B. Sanin;W. V. Boynton;G. Chin

  • Crustal structure of Mars from gravity and topography

    G. A. Neumann;G. A. Neumann;M. T. Zuber;M. T. Zuber;M. A. Wieczorek;P. J. McGovern

  • The MESSENGER mission to Mercury: Scientific objectives and implementation

    Sean C. Solomon;Ralph L. McNutt;Robert E. Gold;Mario H. Acuña

  • Mars North Polar Deposits: Stratigraphy, Age, and Geodynamical Response

    Roger J. Phillips;Roger J. Phillips;Maria T. Zuber;Suzanne E. Smrekar;Michael T. Mellon

  • The crust of the Moon as seen by GRAIL

    M. A. Wieczorek;A. S. Konopliv;F. G. Lemoine;E. Mazarico

Frequent Co-Authors

Gregory A. Neumann
Gregory A. Neumann Goddard Space Flight Center
Sean C. Solomon
Sean C. Solomon Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Erwan Mazarico
Erwan Mazarico Goddard Space Flight Center
Roger J. Phillips
Roger J. Phillips Washington University in St. Louis
James W. Head
James W. Head Brown University
Frank G. Lemoine
Frank G. Lemoine Goddard Space Flight Center
Sander Goossens
Sander Goossens Goddard Space Flight Center
Mark A. Wieczorek
Mark A. Wieczorek Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris
Jeffrey C. Andrews-Hanna
Jeffrey C. Andrews-Hanna University of Arizona

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Earth Science in the USA opens doors to diverse career opportunities, but many students also consider complementary or alternative fields. For those interested in combining creativity with science, exploring a master of fine arts online can add valuable skills in visualization and communication.

Additionally, interdisciplinary expertise is in demand. Professionals looking to lead teams or manage projects within scientific environments may pursue the best online masters degree in human resource management programs to enhance leadership capabilities in specialized settings.

Earth Science also appeals to lifelong learners and seniors who want to upskill or pivot career paths. Many seniors find flexible and accessible options by exploring the online degree programs for seniors.

For those interested in data, libraries, and information management related to Earth Science research, an online mlis degree ala accredited offers specialized training in information science that complements environmental careers.

Choosing the right online degree pathway can enhance expertise, open new career avenues, and adapt to changing job market needs in Earth Science and related fields.

Best Scientists Citing Maria T. Zuber

Trending Scientists

Recently Published Articles