Research in the area of prebiotic evolution seeks to delineate the galactic and planetary conditions conducive to the origin of life. Topics of interest include the formation of prebiotic organic molecules and their delivery to planetary surfaces, the forms in which prebiotic organic matter has been preserved in planetary materials, and determining what chemical systems could have served as precursors of metabolic and replicating systems on Earth and elsewhere, including alternatives to the current DNA-RNA-protein basis for life. This would also include models of early environments on the Earth in which organic chemical synthesis could occur.      

Applicants who apply for this research opportunity and are subsequently selected for an NPP award are expected to attend the Astrobiology Graduate Conference (AbGradCon) and/or the Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon) using the travel funds that are conferred as part of the NPP award.

Field of Science: Astrobiology

Advisors:

Christine Keating
keating@chem.psu.edu
 814-863-7832

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.