Astrobiology
About
Astrobiology is a vibrant, interdisciplinary field that focuses on the study of the origins, distribution and evolution of life in the universe. The Arizona Astrobiology Center (AABC) brings together researchers from across campus to serve as a hub for diverse scientific endeavors, providing bold and transformative dialogue to make astrobiology discoveries relevant to the experiences of all people on Earth.
In addition to the strengths of AABC, UArizona is home to two of the eight interdisciplinary research teams selected by the NASA Astrobiology Program to inaugurate its Interdisciplinary Consortia for Astrobiology Research program are located at the University of Arizona. Led by Dániel Apai, the teams were selected from a pool of more than 40 proposals. The breadth and depth of the research of these teams spans the spectrum of astrobiology research, from cosmic origins to planetary system formation, origins and evolution of life, and the search for life beyond Earth.
UArizona offers both undergraduate and graduate minors in Astrobiology.
Astrobiology at the University of Arizona
Researchers and students benefit from a long campus history of interdisciplinary collaboration drawing from astronomy, planetary sciences, chemistry, geo- and biological sciences and early engagement with pioneering NASA astrobiology nodes.
Faculty
Astrobiology Faculty
Dániel Apai
Interim Associate Dean for Research, College of Science, Principal Investigator, Alien Earths, Professor
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Formation and EvolutionWilliam Boynton
Professor Emeritus
Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Lunar Studies, Small BodiesShane Byrne
Professor
Astrobiology, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary Surfaces, Titan & Outer Solar SystemCaitlin Griffith
Professor Emeritus
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Formation and Evolution, Planetary Surfaces, Titan & Outer Solar SystemVirginia Gulick
Research Professor
Astrobiology, Planetary Analogs, Planetary SurfacesPierre Haenecour
Assistant Professor
Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Planetary Astronomy, Small BodiesChristopher Hamilton
Associate Professor
Astrobiology, Earth, Lunar Studies, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary SurfacesDante Lauretta
Director, Arizona Astrobiology Center, Principal Investigator, OSIRIS-REx, Regents Professor
Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Small BodiesRenu Malhotra
Louise Foucar Marshall Science Research Professor, Regents Professor
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Orbital Dynamics, Planetary Formation and Evolution, Small Bodies, Theoretical AstrophysicsIsamu Matsuyama
Professor
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Lunar Studies, Planetary Formation and Evolution, Planetary Geophysics, Theoretical Astrophysics, Titan & Outer Solar SystemAlfred McEwen
Regents Professor
Astrobiology, Lunar Studies, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary SurfacesIlaria Pascucci
Professor
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Formation and EvolutionOther Researchers
Astrobiology Researchers
Galen Bergsten
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Formation and EvolutionJacob Bernal
DCC Postdoctoral Research Associate (Zega), NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Small BodiesDavid Cantillo
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Small Bodies, Space Situational AwarenessDingshan Deng
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Formation and EvolutionSearra Foote
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary AtmospheresRuby Fulford
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary Surfaces, Small Bodies, Titan & Outer Solar SystemNathan Hadland
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Earth, Planetary Analogs, Planetary SurfacesSarah E. Moran
Director's Postdoctoral Fellow
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres, Titan & Outer Solar SystemMichael Phillips
Researcher/Scientist
Astrobiology, Planetary Analogs, Planetary SurfacesLily Robinthal
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres