Keith’s note: I was deeply saddened to learn that my long time friend Ken Souza died suddenly yesterday. Ken was probably the first NASA life scientist I got to know […]
NASA Astrobiology Program
Posted inNASA Astrobiology Program, Press Release
Penelope Boston Selected as New Director for NASA Astrobiology Institute
Penelope Boston has been selected as the director of NASA’s Astrobiology Institute (NAI), in Moffett Field, California, to lead the scientific activities of the institute’s member teams and all operational […]
Posted inNASA Astrobiology Program, People Of Astrobiology, Plant Biology, Space Life Science
Thora Halstead, Space Biologist
Keith’s note: When I first came to Washington in 1986 I had the extreme pleasure of working with Thora at NASA Headquarters. Thora learned her craft from the very first […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Missions & Hardware, NASA Astrobiology Program, Origin & Evolution of Life, Planetary Protection & Biosafety, Reports, Roadmaps, & Plans, SETI & Technosignatures, Status Report
Report: NASA 2015 Astrobiology Strategy Identifies Priority Research
NASA’s strategic objective in planetary science is to determine the content, origin, and evolution of the Solar System and the potential for life elsewhere (2014 NASA Science Plan). Astrobiology research […]
Posted inNASA Astrobiology Program, Press Release
NASA Seeks New NASA Astrobiology Institute Director
NASA seeks a new Director for the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). The ideal candidate will be an internationally recognized scientist with proven experience in leading or managing large interdisciplinary research […]
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology, Mars, NASA Astrobiology Program, Press Release
The Search for the Fingerprints of Life on Mars Begins
NASA’s Astrobiology Institute (NAI) announced that the SETI Institute has been selected as a new member of the NAI for a 5-year research program, “Changing Planetary Environments and the Fingerprints […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program
NASA Selects New Science Teams for Astrobiology Research
NASA has awarded five-year grants totaling almost $50 million to seven research teams nationwide to study the origins, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe. “With the Curiosity […]
Posted inNASA Astrobiology Program
Carl Pilcher Returns to NAI as Interim Director
The NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) welcomes back Dr. Carl B. Pilcher as NAI Interim Director. Carl returned to the Institute August 11, 2014, serving on a half-time basis for approximately […]
Posted inNASA Astrobiology Program
Michael Meyer Declines NAI Interim Director Position
Due to unexpected personal conflicts, Dr. Michael Meyer has declined the position of NAI’s Interim Director. Dr. Meyer explains, “Unfortunately, the requirements levied to resolve a conflict-of-interest were unacceptable.” “I […]
Posted inAstrobiology (general), NASA Astrobiology Program
Why Is NASA's Astrobiology Program STILL Ignoring "Cosmos"?
NASA’s Astrobiology program continues to totally ignore “Cosmos” – even when it offers millions of viewers a full episode on Astrobiology. Sunday’s episode (the second) of Cosmos was devoted to […]