Silvia Protopapa

Silvia Protopapa is an astrophysicist and researcher at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) known for her work on the surface composition of distant celestial bodies. Leading a team utilizing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), she has contributed to significant discoveries regarding the presence of complex molecules like carbon dioxide and hydrogen peroxide on the icy surface of Charon, Pluto's largest moon. Her research provides insights into the formation and evolution of trans-Neptunian objects in the Kuiper Belt, enhancing our understanding of the early solar system's history and the chemical processes occurring in these remote regions.