Scientific career

DLR, Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Radiation Biology, Köln, Germany

2005 –             Deputy Head of the Radiation Biology Department
1996 –             Head of the Research Group ‘Astrobiology’
1993 – 1995    Junior research scientist

Max-Planck-Institute for Radiation Chemistry, Mülheim, Germany

1988 – 1992    Head of the research group ‘Radiation Biology’
1988                Scholar of the Max Planck-Society

Education and training

1983 – 1988   Dissertation (Dr. rer. nat.), Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
1977 – 1983   Study of chemistry, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Germany
1968 – 1977   Secondary school (Gymnasium), Witten, Germany
1965 – 1968   Primary school, Witten, Germany

Professional experience

Acquisition, management and scientific realisation of interdisciplinary international research projects

Supervision of PhD, diploma, master and bachelor students in the disciplines biology, medicine, mechanical, chemical and medical engineering

Research interests

Microbiology, life in extreme environments, astrobiology, habitability, radiation biology, photobiology, planetary protection

Space experiments - Principal Investigator / team coordinator

• MEXEM (EXPO, ISS, in preparation)
• LUX-in-Space (BIOLAB, ISS, in preparation)
• TRIPLELUX C (accepted for the ISS in 1997, deselected in 2014)
• BOSS (EXPOSE-R-2, ISS)
• ADAPT (EXPOSE-E, ISS)
• MARSTOX II (BIOPAN, FOTON)
• MARSTOX I (BIOPAN, FOTON)

Space experiments - Co-Investigator

• Bacterial Conjugation (FLUMIAS, ISS, in preparation)
• HABIT (ExoMars 2022, cancelled)
• IceCold (EXPO, ISS, in preparation)
• BioRock (KUBIK, ISS)
• EXTREMOPHILES (ISS)
• BIOMEX (EXPOSE R-2, ISS)
• SPORES (EXPOSE-R, ISS)
• Phobos LIVE (Phobos Grunt)
• PROTECT (EXPOSE-E, ISS)
• Lithopanspermia (BIOPAN, FOTON)
• HighRad (BIOPAN, FOTON)
• EXOBIOLOGIE (PERSEUS, MIR space station)
• UVE (Mir'97, MIR space station)
• REPAIR (IML-2, Space shuttle)
• KINETICS (IML-2, Space shuttle)
• UVRAD (D-2, Space shuttle)
• SURVIVAL II (BIOPAN III, FOTON)
• SURVIVAL I (BIOPAN I and II, FOTON)

ESA projects

• 2023 – 2024  ProConTra - Probability of Contamination and Contaminants Transport Mechanism (contractor, coordinator)
• 2021 – 2023  PP-VERI-III Agency Level Independent Verification Assays and Validation of New Assay Procedure (contractor, coordinator)
• 2011 – 2019  PP-VERI-I and -II, Bioburden and Biodiversity Agency-Level Verification Assays (contractor, coordinator)
• 2006 – 2011  BioDiv - Bioburden and Biodiversity Evaluation in Spacecraft Facilities and Lifetime Test of a Rapid Spore Assay (contractor, coordinator)
• 2003 – 2005  MiDiv - Determination of the Microbial Diversity of Spacecraft Assembly and Testing Facilities (contractor, coordinator)

• 2014 – 2016  BIOMODEXO (team member)
• 2011 – 2016  ESA Topical Team EANA (coordinator)
• 2011 – 2014  CAVES (team member)
• 2012 – 2015  BIOSIS (team member)
• 2010 – 2011  MICHAm, MARS 500 project (Principal Investigator)

EC projects

• 2018 – 2022  SALTGIANT (partner)
• 2016 – 2018  PPOSS (scientific coordinator)
• 2015 – 2019  EDEN-ISS (team member)
• 2015 – 2017  EURO-CARES (partner)
• 2014 – 2017  MASE (team member)
• 2012 – 2015  Astromap (team member)
• 2008 – 2010  CAREX (team member)

Other projects

• 2016 – 2019  Kalte Plasmatechnologie für die Raumfahrt, Bayrisches Wirtschaftsministerium
• 2016 – 2018  MOMEDOS, Universität Wien (contractor)
• 2015 – 2018  BAL S - Bioinspired Antimicrobial Laquer in Space, OHB (contractor)
• 2011 – 2015  Federal Ministry of Education and Reserch, Verbundforschungsvorhaben ToxBox – Teilprojekt 4: SWITCH
• 2011 – 2014  Dekontamination von Raumfahrt-Bauteilen: Einsatz kalter Plasmen, MPI für extraterrestrische Physik (contractor)

Further professional skills and activities

COSPAR: Member of the COSPAR Bureau since 2022
COSPAR: Member of the COSPAR Panel on Planetary Protection on behalf of DLR since 2019
COSPAR: Member of the German National COSPAR Committee (COSPAR-Landesausschuss der DFG) since 2016, chair since 2021
COSPAR: Vice Chair of Commission F: Life Sciences as related to space since 2022
ESA: Member of the ESA Planetary Protection Working Group (ESA PPWG) (2014 – 2019)
IAA: International Academy of Astronautics, Member of Commission 2: Space Life Sciences (since 2011), Chair of Commission 2 (2015 - 2017)
IAF: International Astronautical Federation, Member of the Technical Committee: Space Life Sciences (since 2012), Technical Committee Chair since 2018
EANA: Councillor of the European Astrobioloy Network Association (EANA)
ESSC: Member of the European Space Science Committee of the European Science Foundation – Solar System and Exploration Panel (2013 – 2019)
ECSS: Member of the different former Working Groups of the European Cooperation for Space Standardisation
EAI: Member of the board of trustees of the European Astrobiology Institute

Senior Editor of the journal Astrobiology, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.

Organiser of COSPAR Symposia for the COSPAR Assemblies since 2006
Organiser of sessions for the IAC (International Astronautical Congres) since 2011
Organiser of EANA'11
2003 Chief biologist at the Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS) in Utah, USA
2000 Visiting scientist at NASA Ames in California, USA
1996 and 1997 Visiting scientist in Okazaki, Japan

Biosafety officer (BBS) at DLR
Project leader of a research project with genetically modified organisms (1994 – 2018)
Radiation protection supervisor at DLR (SSB, 1993 – 2012)
4 patents

Awards

2020        International Academy of Astronautics - IAF Distinguished Service Award
2016        Award and title: DLR Senior Scientist
2014/15   DLR-Competition of Visions, 2nd Place, Biopolymer-Aerogel-Filter in Environmental Control Systems
2014        International Academy of Astronautics – IAF Life Sciences Book Award for the book 'Complete Course in Astrobiology', Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KgaA, Germany
2001        DLR-Competition of Visions, 2nd Place, Wegbereitung zur Erschließung des Mars
2000        DLR-Forschungssemester (sabbatical leave at NASA Ames)

Membership in Scientific Societies

IAA: International Academy of Astronautics
EANA: European Astrobioloy Network Association
VAAM: Vereinigung für allgemeine und Angewandte Mikrobiologie
DAbG: Deutsche Astrobiologische Gesellschaft

Publications

More than 250 peer reviewed publications in addition to conference papers, book chapters and technical and scientific reports

See Publications of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine and
elib - Publications of the DLR -> Petra Rettberg

ORCID -> Petra Rettberg

ResearchGate -> Petra Rettberg

Google Scholar -> Petra Rettberg