Astrobiology and the People Who Study It

The first of its kind, this book is a collection of memoirs that describe the lives – not just the science – of some of the people who have advanced our understanding of the conditions for life on Earth and in the universe. Astrobiology became a mainstream topic with the announcement in 1996 that fossilized life had been found in Martian meteorite ALH84001; that claim has since been discredited. Nonetheless, following the 1992 announcement of the discovery of planets orbiting around a pulsar, it reinvigorated investigations and debate about conditions required for the origin(s) of life on Earth and the possibility of life elsewhere.

Scientists from a variety of career stages and disciplines have shared their stories of passion and persistence, as they pave their various educational and scientific career paths and continue to search for answers to some of the biggest questions we have about life on Earth:

• What happened in the microseconds after the Big Bang?
• How did life form on Earth?
• What conditions are hospitable to life elsewhere?
• How do stars affect their planets?
• What is the future of life on Earth?

To understand these big questions, scientists in this book describe focusing on one subject deeply while finding connections across disciplines, an inherent trait of astrobiology. Personal experiences, including struggles, have enhanced their research trajectories.

The diversity of topics, perspectives, career stages, and career paths and placements provided by the authors is an appealing read for people who are interested in learning more about the multifaceted field of astrobiology. As such, it can be an important resource for the next generation of scientific investigators and educators.

Key features:

• The book honors the people (both living and deceased) who made significant contributions to their fields of study, which influence our current understanding of life on and beyond Earth
• The book is a reference for early career scientific investigators and educators to help them learn about the various possible career paths and fields, as well as about some of the successes and challenges that might be experienced as they navigate their own career trajectories
• The level of writing is for the inquisitive person interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), from beginner to expert

Nicolle E. B. Zellner is the H. & Grace A. Dow Trustees' Professor in the Sciences and a Professor of Physics at Albion College in Michigan. She has also served as NASA Program Scientist in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters. Supported by the NSF and NASA, Dr. Zellner’s research interests focus on understanding the impact history of the Earth-Moon system and how those impacts affected the conditions for life on Earth. Over the course of her career, she has taught thousands of students and mentored dozens of student research partners. As a woman in science, she advocates for those approaches and practices that support workforce development in the STEM fields. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a recipient of the Carl Sagan Medal for Excellence in Public Communication.