David Blake joined the Exobiology Branch at NASA’s Ames Research Center in 1986 after completing his BS in biological sciences at Stanford University and PhD in geology/mineralogy at the University of Michigan. He is a two-time winner of NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement medal (in 1998 for research on astrophysical ices and 2017 for work on the Mars Science Laboratory Mission). He developed CheMin, which identified the first habitable environment on Mars and generated commercial spinoffs used around the world in industries as diverse as oil and gas, minerals, homeland security, art and antiquities, and pharmaceuticals. The miniaturized mineralogical instrument earned Blake Research and Development magazine’s R&D 100 Award, Government Invention and Government Commercial Invention of the Year honors, and NASA’s Outstanding Leadership medal. He continues to develop X-ray based instruments for solar system objects including Venus, Mercury, Mars, and Earth's moon.