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.
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
Alfred McEwen
Regents Professor
Astrobiology, Lunar Studies, Photogrammetry, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary Surfaces
Ilaria Pascucci
Professor
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Formation and Evolution
Other Researchers
Astrobiology Researchers
Galen Bergsten
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Atmospheres, Planetary Formation and Evolution
Jacob Bernal
DCC Postdoctoral Research Associate (Zega), NSF Postdoctoral Fellow
Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry, Small Bodies
David Cantillo
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Small Bodies, Space Situational Awareness
Maddy Christensen
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology
Dingshan Deng
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Formation and Evolution
Searra Foote
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Atmospheres
Ruby Fulford
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Planetary Geophysics, Planetary Surfaces, Small Bodies, Titan & Outer Solar System
Kiki Gonglewski
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Formation and Evolution
Nathan Hadland
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Earth, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Surfaces
Michael Phillips
Researcher/Scientist
Astrobiology, Photogrammetry, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Surfaces
Lily Robinthal
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres
Christina Singh
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Photogrammetry, Planetary Analogs, Planetary Surfaces
Lucas Smith
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Cosmochemistry
Kayla Smith
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Atmospheres
Jingyu Wang
PTYS Graduate Student
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres
James Windsor
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Astrobiology, Exoplanets, Planetary Astronomy, Planetary Atmospheres