• Species: Exohuman
• Born: 2578 on the spaceship Last Frontier
• Affiliation: Last Frontier University
• Place of Residence: New Kourou

Joan Merkenberg is the only child of Martin and Ida Merkenberg, both of whom were teachers at the elementary school on the spaceship Last Frontier. Born and raised in an academic environment, Joan developed a keen interest in geography early on and went on to study at Last Frontier University.

Following her studies, Joan worked as a scientific employee within the university's geography faculty. After the tragic crash-landing of the Last Frontier, which claimed the lives of two of her professors, Joan was unexpectedly appointed as a full professor due to the severe shortage of qualified personnel.

She played a key role in rebuilding the university's academic infrastructure in New Kourou and quickly became a prominent figure in the scientific policy of the Free State of Settlers. Joan is best known for her work on the Twin-Section Hypothesis, which posits that each section of the Habitual Belt has a geographic twin on the opposite side of VOI 700 D.

To validate the theory, she proposed and helped organize the Westward Passage Expedition, which set out in 2626. After three grueling years, the expedition confirmed her hypothesis by discovering and mapping Zilari, the twin section of Asari, thereby transforming the scientific understanding of the planet’s geography.

• Job Title: Professor of Geography, Last Frontier University

Responsibilities:

• Leading geographical research and curriculum development at Last Frontier University
• Advising the Free State of Settlers on expedition policy and territorial planning
• Supervising fieldwork, especially in underexplored regions of the planet

• Traits: Intelligent, determined, and deeply analytical
• Behavior: Joan is a thoughtful and measured academic, often absorbed in research. She’s passionate about geography and exploration but sometimes loses patience with bureaucratic obstacles. She holds a quiet authority and rarely speaks without purpose.
• Values: Joan values empirical evidence, discovery, and the expansion of human knowledge. Her commitment to the scientific method is unwavering, and she sees exploration not just as survival, but as a way for Exohumans to reclaim purpose after the traumatic landing.