Rafael Avila-Terkenlis

Rafa Avila-Terkenlis is a second-year doctoral student studying Earth and Planetary Science at Rutgers University–New Brunswick. A planetary scientist, he studies the thermophysical evolution of planetary surfaces and interiors, with particular interests in dynamic processes within the ice shells of ocean-bearing moons such as Europa and the seasonally ice-covered high-latitude terrains of Mars. Rafa recently participated in the International Heat Flow Commission summer school in Izmir, Türkiye, where he gained hands-on experience in heat flow data collection and analysis. Outside of academia, Rafa enjoys weekly craft nights with friends and teaches Okinawan martial arts at his local community center.