Events

Dr. Laura Fielden, Department of Biology

Dr. Eric Patterson, Department of Chemistry

Dr. Maria Nagan, Department of Chemistry

The goal of this project is to bring together faculty and undergraduates from four diverse disciplines to create an astrobiology-themed research community at Truman State University.

Research teams (one faculty and two students) will work independently on astrobiologically relevent projects which are:

Observations of Extrasolar Planetary Transists (Matt Beaky)

Cryptobiosis in Ticks (Laura Fielden)

Chemistry of Extraterrestrial Organic Molecules (Eric Patterson)

RNA Recognition of Small Molecules (Maria Nagan)

Students and faculty supported by this project will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of astrobiology and interact with professional researchers through field trips to a research observatory, NASA Field Centers and a major astrobiology conference. Visitors with expertise in astrobiology will come to Truman to interact with the new astrobiology research community and to prosent colloquia to the broader University communtiy.  This project will provide the impetus and the initial funding to establish a productive and sustainable astrobiological research program at Truman and to inspire students from a range of science disciplines to consider careers in astrobiology.

Support starts in 2010.