The Yeşilbaş Lab

Dr. Merve Yeşilbaş’s lab explores Mars's chemistry by studying Earth’s most extreme environments. From Arctic tundras to volcanic landscapes, they investigate how water interacts with minerals under harsh conditions, unlocking clues about the Red Planet’s past and asking the age old question — Is there, or has there ever been, water on Mars?

At the Yeşilbaş Lab, spectroscopy is key to bridging Earth and Mars. By analyzing mineral-water interactions on our planet, they interpret spacecraft data to uncover whether water once flowed or still exists on Mars. Their work combines geochemistry, astrobiology, and planetary science to inform future exploration.

Designing the lab’s brand meant capturing both the precision of their research and the wonder of space. The visual identity leans into a dark, moody aesthetic inspired by Mars, water crystals, and data itself. The logo directly integrates Martian landscape imagery sourced from real spectroscopy data, grounding the brand in the science that defines it.