Meet the 2026 KISS Affiliates
Seneca Velling
Grad student in the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Hometown: Basking Ridge, NJ
Date of this Interview: December 20, 2025
What do you research?
In the Origins and Habitability Laboratory at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), I study how redox-active organic molecules and iron minerals interact to move charge and create electrochemical gradients in environments where life might have emerged. My current work focuses on mineral catalysts for quinone redox: I measure the kinetics of quinone redox and use electrochemistry to drive specific mineral-catalyzed reactions coupled to proton release to generate & sustain pH gradients across mineral membranes. This is relevant to the emergence of metabolism on Earth and gives us ideas of what could be happening on hydrothermally active ocean worlds.
Separately, as part of my NASA NSTGRO fellowship with NASA Glenn Research Center, I investigate how Venus-like minerals undergo chemical weathering in hot, corrosive atmospheres. Here I examine the rate of weathering in minerals under these conditions and use changes in iron’s oxidation state to tell us about the oxidative environment the minerals experience. The goal here is to better constrain the surface chemistry of Venus.
Why does space inspire you?
Space inspires me because it is a constant reminder that we are part of something much larger than ourselves. Early man looked up the heavens and invented mythologies of battling gods among the stars... there's an element of that we each carry within us still. For me, it’s hard not to feel a deep reverence and fascination for space. This field is also one where the most exciting projects—from keeping autonomous technologies operating in extreme environments to directly imaging exoplanets and detecting complex organic molecules in the plumes of ocean worlds—only happen through a willingness to tackle magnificently challenging problems and questions with other likeminded, collaborative people. I like that.
If you could instantly travel to any point in the universe, where would you choose to go?
I think I'd want to see the surface of Venus (ideally in some corrosion resistant suit with solid air conditioning and a guaranteed ride home). We’ve only ever seen it through a handful of cameras on the Venera landers; for the most part it's still a mystery. Seeing the landscape, the true colors and texture of the rocks, would be incredible… and, probably, more fun than experiencing how fast I’d pressure-cook on the surface.
Where can you be found when you’re not conducting research?
When I’m not in the lab, you can usually find me outdoors biking or hiking, tucked into a local coffee shop/wine bar with a good book, or playing D&D.
What book do you wish you could read for the first time again?
Red Rising (Pierce Brown) or Leviathan Wakes (James Corey)
Seneca filling EPR tubes with sample in a glovebox.