1. Investigating Atmospheric Microorganisms for Extreme Environment Survival and Space Mission Safety: Nathan Hadland, PhD student, LPL
Project Summary: Nathan Hadland's project involves studying microorganisms in the atmosphere by analyzing soil and air samples. This research helps us understand how life can survive and spread in extreme environments, which has implications for finding life on Mars and preventing contamination during space missions.
Categories: Microbiology, Extremophiles, Soil and Air Analysis, Microorganisms, contamination prevention (space exploration)
2. Biomarkers and Volcanic Terrains: Solange Duhamel, Associate Prof, MCB
Project Summary: Professor Solange Duhamel's research focuses on detecting signs of life (biomarkers) in volcanic rocks similar to those found on Mars. By studying these Earth rocks, the team aims to develop better methods for identifying potential life signs on other planets.
Categories: Biomarkers Detection, Volcanic Terrains, Mars Analogs, Planetary Habitability
3. Biosensors and Space Dust: Mark Witten, Research Professor, Animal Sciences
Project Summary: Dr. Mark Witten's team has developed a highly accurate biosensor that can detect harmful bacteria in food. They now want to test this sensor on DNA fragments and amino acids found in space dust from a meteorite. This could provide insights into the presence of organic molecules in space.
Categories: Biotechnology, biomarkers
4. Energy Use in Microbes: Mruthyunjay Kubendran Sumathi, PhD Student, EEB
Project Summary: Mruthyunjay Kubendran Sumathi's research investigates how microorganisms adjust their energy use in response to temperature changes. By studying simple and complex microbes, this project aims to understand how life adapts and survives in extreme temperatures, which is important for both ecology and the study of life on other planets.
Categories: Microbiology, Astrobiology, Ecology
Project Summary: Professor Christopher Hamilton is studying how light penetrates different volcanic glasses to understand the potential for photosynthetic life in these environments. This research could help identify habitable environments on Earth and other planets, like Mars and Venus.
Categories: Habitability, Photosynthetic biosignatures, volcanics
6. Specular Reflections on Titan and Exoplanets: Chase Cooper, Undergraduate student, Astronomy
Project Summary: Chase Cooper aims to develop tools to detect specular reflections (like sunlight glinting off water) on Titan, one of Saturn's moons. This method could be used to detect similar reflections on exoplanets, helping to identify planets that might have water and potentially support life.
Categories: Exoplanet Analysis, Specular Reflections Detection, Habitability
7. Fluid Inclusions in Bennu Samples: Beau Prince, PhD student, LPL
Project Summary: Beau Prince is studying tiny fluid pockets in minerals from asteroid Bennu to understand the history of water and organic molecules on the asteroid. This research could provide clues about the origins of Earth's water and organic compounds.
Categories: Asteroid Bennu, Organic Molecules, water
8. Exploring Astrobiology: A Triad of Astrobiology Teaching Modules for High School Students: Karla Parades Aguilar, undergraduate, Planetary Geosciences and Sawsan Wehbi, PhD Student, Genetics and Astrobiology.
Project Summary: This project will design and implement three astrobiology-themed modules aimed at igniting curiosity among high school students. The modules will integrate biology, geology, planetary science, and fine arts concepts to challenge traditional science education paradigms and inspire the next generation of scientists. The objectives include fostering curiosity, providing hands-on research experience, cultivating critical thinking skills, encouraging collaboration, and expanding teachers' knowledge of interdisciplinary thinking. The methodology involves discussions, laboratory experiments, field sampling, and group activities. The interdisciplinary relevance of astrobiology is emphasized, along with the expected outcomes of inspiring students to pursue STEM careers and enhancing their computational thinking, artistic approach, and collaborative skills.