Jack “JJ” Ruse is a graduate student at the University of Georgia pursuing a Master of Science in Geology. His research includes geologic mapping and interpretation of structural landforms on Mars. JJ graduated in May 2025 from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Geology and B.A. in Astronomy. His past research experience is in lipid biosignature detection as an analog for life on Mars and paleomagnetic reconstructions of past continents on Earth.

JJ serves as a Planetary Geology Mentor for the NASA L’SPACE Mission Concept Academy, having completed MCA himself back in Spring 2023 where he acted as his team’s Astrogeologist. JJ was tasked with finding a suitable landing zone for his team’s rover and collaborating with engineers on rover design. In Summer 2023, JJ interned for the NASA Lucy Mission at Arizona State University, where he worked with a team to design and build a scientific instrument from scratch and served as his team’s Project Manager. In Fall 2023, he completed the NASA Proposal Writing Experience and Evaluation Academy, also in the role of Project Manager.

JJ’s research interests include structural geology, tectonics, planetary habitability, and renewable energy resources. JJ has hands-on experience in planetary analog field work, remote sensing, scientific instrumentation, and resource prospect evaluation. JJ is currently working as a Mining Engineer Intern at KaMin in Georgia and has worked on a project related to carbon capture, utilization, and storage. For a career, JJ hopes to combine his academic and industry experience and apply that to planetary science missions.

Outside of L’SPACE, JJ is involved in science outreach as a GeoAmbassador through the geology department at UGA. He strives to educate the public on the geosciences and encourage participation, especially at the college level. In his free time, JJ also likes to hike, travel, listen to audiobooks, and hang out with his friends and family.