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, U of A 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.

Project EOS (Alien Earths)

Earths in Other Solar Systems is a NASA-funded astrobiology research program aiming to understand how and where habitable, Earth-like planets with biocritical ingredients (volatiles and organics) form.

The University of Arizona offers both undergraduate and graduate minors in Astrobiology.

Arizona Astrobiology Center

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 Evolution

William Boynton

Professor Emeritus

Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Lunar Studies, Small Bodies

Shane Byrne

Professor

Astrobiology, Photogrammetry, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary Surfaces, Titan & Outer Solar System

Caitlin Griffith

Professor Emeritus

Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Formation and Evolution, Planetary Surfaces, Titan & Outer Solar System

Virginia Gulick

Research Professor

Astrobiology, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Surfaces

Pierre Haenecour

Assistant Professor

Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Planetary Astronomy, Small Bodies

Christopher Hamilton

Associate Professor

Astrobiology, Earth, Lunar Studies, Photogrammetry, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary Surfaces

Dante Lauretta

Director, Arizona Astrobiology Center, Principal Investigator, OSIRIS-REx, Regents Professor

Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Small Bodies

Renu Malhotra

Louise Foucar Marshall Science Research Professor, Regents Professor

Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Orbital Dynamics, Planetary Formation and Evolution, Small Bodies, Theoretical Astrophysics

Isamu Matsuyama

Professor

Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Lunar Studies, Planetary Formation and Evolution, Planetary Geophysics, Theoretical Astrophysics, Titan & Outer Solar System