Margaret Race

Margaret Race is concerned with protecting the planets. Actually, protecting all the planets: but especially Earth and Mars. Her work focuses on the scientific, technical, legal and societal issues of ensuring that missions to the Red Planet and other solar system bodies do not either inadvertently bring terrestrial microbes along, which would complicate our search for indigenous extraterrestrial life, or return any microbes to Earth. Recently, she’s done a research study on the environmental impact reviews and public communication associated with high-containment biosafety labs – the type that will eventually be used for the quarantine of returned samples from Mars.

Her interest in extraterrestrial organisms is linked closely to her long term ecological research on exotic and invasive species. She’s also actively involved in education and public outreach about astrobiology. Since her early work with the Environmental Protection Agency as a Public Information Specialist, and her tenure at San Francisco television station KQED, Margaret has had a strong interest in the communication of science via the mass media. She especially likes to work with journalists and educators as they develop materials about complex, controversial issues in space exploration and environmental protection. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her work ensures that our spacecraft won’t be.

• Scientist Interview - Margaret Race - Planetary Protector

Race, M.S., 2005.  Societal and Ethical Dimensions of Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life, in Planets and Life: The Emerging Science of Astrobiology,  W.R. Sullivan and J. Baross (eds.), Cambridge University Press, in press.

Race, M.S., 2004.  Planetary Protection Considerations for Future Human Missions to Mars, International Astronautical Conference, Vancouver Canada, October 2004, Paper IAC-04-IAA 3.7.2.0 

Race, M.S., 2004. Communicating About the Discovery of Extraterrestrial Life: Different Searches, Different Issues. International Astronaut. Conf., VancouverCanada, October 2004, Paper IAC-04-IAA.1.1.2.02

Race, M.S. 2004. Planetary Protection: Can’t Leave Home Without It! The Planetary Report, XXIV(4), 6-11, Jul/Aug 2004

Race, M.S., M.E. Criswell, and J.D. Rummel, 2003.  Planetary Protection Issues in the Human Exploration of Mars.  Paper Number 2003-01-2523 (invited). International Conference on Environmental Systems (ICES),Vancouver, B.C. July 2003.

Race, M.S. and J.D. Rummel, 2003.  Planning for Mars Sample Return: Design and Implementation Considerations for Handling and Testing Returned Samples.  ICES Paper No. 2003-ICES-403 (invited), International Conferences on Environmental Systems (ICES), Vancouver, BC, July 2003. 

Race, Margaret, "Planetary Protection: An Intregal Part of Mission Preparations," SPACE.com, May 1, 2003.

Race et al., 2003.  Societal, Legal, Educational and Communications Issues in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life.  Submitted to Advances in Space Research 

Race, M.S. and R.O. Randolph, 2002.  The Need for Operating Guidelines and A Decision Making Framework Applicable to the Discovery of Non-Intelligent Extraterrestrial Life.  Advances in Space Research, Vol. 30, No. 6, pp. 1583-91.

Race, M.S., 2002.  Responsible Exploration: Protecting Earth and the worlds we explore from cross contamination.  Universe in the Classroom (online newsletter), No. 58, Summer 2002, Astronomical Society of the Pacific.   www.astrosociety.org/education/publications/tnl/58/planetprotect.html

Rummel, J.D. and M.S. Race, 2002.  A Sense of Place: Planetary Protection’s Role in Astrobiological Exploration, Ad Astra, 14(1)  Jan/Feb 2002, p 28-31 

Rummel, J.D., M.S. Race, D.L. DeVincenzi, P.J. Schad, P.D. Stabekis, M. Viso and S. E. Acevedo (eds.), 2002.  A Draft Test Protocol for Detecting Possible Biohazards in Martian Samples Returned to Earth, NASA/CP-2002-211842, Washington, D.C.

Race, M.S., D.L.DeVincenzi,  J.D.Rummel and S.E.Acevedo (eds.), 2002. Mars Sample Handling Protocol Workshop Series, Workshop 4 Proceedings and Final Report.  NASA/CP-2002-21184, Washington, D.C.

Race, M.S., 2002. Protecting Ourselves Against Mars, SETI Institute News, v. 11(2), p.8.

Race, M.S. and J.D. Rummel, 2002.  “Planetary Protection” in Macmillan Space Sciences Reference, USA, vol. 4: Our Future in Space, 0-02-865550-8, p 125-128.

Race, M. S., G.T.A. Kovacs, J.D. Rummel, and S. E. Acevedo (eds.), 2001. Mars Sample Handling Protocol Workshop Series. Interim Report of the Workshop Series: Workshop 2 Proceedings and Final Report, NASA/CP 2001-210923, Washington, D.C.

Race, M. S., K. Nealson, Rummel,J.D. and S. E. Acevedo (eds.) 2001. Mars Sample Handling Protocol Workshop Series. Interim Report of the Workshop Series: Workshop 3 Proceedings and Final Report.  in press, NASA/CP-2001- 211388, Washington, D.C. 

Race, M.S. and J.D. Rummel (eds.), 2000. Mars Sample Handling Protocol Workshop Series. Interim Report of the Workshop Series: Workshop 1 Proceedings and Final Report.  NASA/CP-2000-209624, Washington, DC (Oct. 2000)

Race, M.S., 2000.  “Planning for Near Earth Asteroid Sample Return: Planetary Protection Controls and Non-Scientific Factors.  In: Proc. of NEA Sample Return Workshop, LPI Contrib. No. 1073(Abstract #8038, page 35) Houston , TX.

Race, M.S., 2000.  No Threat? No Way: Hazardous Until Proven Otherwise, The Planetary Report. Nov/Dec 2000, p 5-7.

Race, M.S. and D.G. MacGregor, 2000.  Integrating Public Perspectives in Sample Return Planning.  Adv. In Space Research, Adv. Space Res. v 26(12), 1901-09.

Orgel, L., M. A’Hearn, J. Bada, J. Baross, C. Chapman, M. Drake, J. Kerridge, M. Race, M. Sogin, and S. Squyres, 2000.  Sample Return from Small Bodies, Adv. In Space Res.  v. 25(2), pp. 239-248.

Race, M.S., J. Allton,  C. Allen, and J. Richmond, 1999.  Planning Considerations for Mars Sample Return Containment.  J. American Biological Safety Assn. (JABSA) vol. 4(2), pp.53-59.

DeVincenzi, D., J. Bagby, M. Race, and J. Rummel (eds.), 1999.  Proceedings: Mars Sample Quarantine Protocol Workshop, NASA/CP-1999-208772, April 1999. NASAAmesResearchCenter,Moffett Field, CA

Race, M. S., J.H. Allton, C.C. Allen, and J. Y. Richmond, 1999.  Containment Design Concepts for Extraterrestrial Sample Materials, in: “An Anthology of Biosafety: I. Perspectives on Laboratory Design,” J. Y. Richmond (ed.), American Biological Safety Association (ABSA), Mundelein, IL 

MSHARP, 1999, (Carr, M.H., J. Bada, S. Bogard, B. Clark, M. Drake, D. DeVincenzi, D. McCleese, K. Nealson, J. Papike, M. Race, and S. Stahl),  Mars Sample Handling and Requirements Panel, Final Report, NASA/TM-1999 – 209145, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, CA

Race, M. S. and J. D. Rummel. 1999, Bring 'em back alive-- or at least carefully.  Ad Astra 11:37-40.

De Vincenzi, D.L., Race, M.S., and H.P. Klein, 1998.  Planetary Protection, Sample Return Missions and Mars Exploration: History, Status and Future Needs.   J. Geophysical Research 103(E12) 28,577-28,585.

MacGregor, D.G., P. Slovic, and M.S. Race, 1998.  Lay and Expert Perceptions of Planetary Protection , Report No 98-2, Decision Research, Eugene OR.

MacGregor, Donald G., and Margaret S. Race, 1998.   Microbiologists’ Perceptions of Planetary Protection, Report No. 98-3, Decision Research, Eugene OR. 

National Research Council, 1998.  (Orgel, L, M. A’Hearn, J. Bada, J. Baross, C. Chapman, M. Drake, J. Kerridge, M. Race, M. Sogin, and S. Squyres)  Evaluating the Biological Potential in Samples Returned from Planetary Satellites and Small Solar System Bodies:  Framework for Decision Making.,  National Academy Press, Washington, D.C.

Race, M.S., 1998.  Mars Sample Return and Planetary Protection in a Public Context.   Advances In Space Research 22(3), 391-99.

Race, M.S., 1998. Mars Sample Return and Biocontainment.,  J. Amer. Biological Safety Assn., 3(1), 22-24.

Randolph, R., M.S. Race, and C. McKay, 1997.  Reconsidering the Ethical and Theological Implications of Extraterrestrial Life., Center for Theology and Natural Sciences CTNS Bulletin v. 17(3), 1-8. 

Space Studies Board, National Research Council, 1997. Mars Sample Return: Issues & Recommendations.  Task Group on Issues in Sample Return (K.Nealson et al.). NationalAcademyPress, Washington, D.C.

Committee for a Study on Transportation and a Sustainable Environment). 1997. Toward a Sustainable Future:  Addressing the Long-Term Effects of Motor Vehicle Transportation on Climate and Ecology. Transportation Research Board, (Ebert, J.D. et al.)   (Special Report 251,NationalAcademy Press, WashingtonD.C.

MacGregor, D.L, P. Slovic, and M.S. Race.  1996.  Lay and Expert Perceptions of Planetary Protection.   Decision Research Technical Report no. 96-9. Decision Research, Eugene, OR.

Race, M.S. and M. Fonseca, 1996.   Fixing Compensatory Mitigation: What Will it Take?  Ecological Applications 6(1), 94-101.

Race, M.S. 1996.  Planetary Protection, Legal Ambiguity and the Decision Making Process for Mars Sample Return.  Adv. Space Res. 18(1/2), 345-350.

Race, M.S. 1996.  Mars Sample Return and Biohazards: A Source of Public Concern and Controversy.  In Case for Mars, P. Boston (ed.), American Astronautical Society, University Press, San Diego.

Race, M.S. 1995.  Societal Issues as Mars Mission Impediments: Planetary Protection and Contamination Concerns. Adv. In Space Res. 15(3), 285-92.

Race, M.S. 1994.  Anticipating the Reaction: Public Concerns about Sample Return Missions.  Planetary Report, xiv(4) , 20-22.

Race, M.S., 1989.  Regulation and Guidelines for Biological Control of Weeds: A Research Policy View. In Proceedings of the International Vidalia Symposium, Riverside, CA.

Race, M.S. (chair) et al. 1988.  Preserving and Enhancing California’s Drinking Water: A Research Assessment.  U.C. Water Quality Task Force, USWaterResourceCenter Report #70, Issn 0575-4968.

Race, M.S. 1986.  Wetlands Restoration and Mitigation Polices: Reply. Environmental Management 10(5): 571-72. 

Gary, N., H. Daly, S. Locke and M.S. Race. 1985.  The Africanized Honeybee: Ahead of Schedule. California Agriculture 39(11-12): 4-7. 

Race, M.S. 1985.  A Critique of Present Wetlands Mitigation Policies Based on an Analysis of Past Restoration Projects in San Francisco Bay, CA.  Environmental Management, 9(1): 71-82.

Race, M.S. and D.L. Christie. 1982.  Coastal Zone Development: Mitigation, Marsh Creation and Decision Making.   J. Environmental Management 6(4): 317-328.