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Astrobiologist, Blue Marble Space Institute of Science, Research Scientist, climate change, solar system exploration.
His non linear path to finding his way to Astrobiology, the projects he is working on, discussion on planets and moons, and his love of sharing science are just some of the topics we will cover in this episode.
Biography:
“Welcome! As an astrobiologist, my research broadly investigates how the rock record can preserve properties of an ancient atmosphere, and how the rocks can create or contribute to an atmosphere; a discipline I like to call “Atmospheric Geology”. Atmospheric gases and/or gases released in water-rock reactions are fundamental in metabolic processes, and so I enjoy thinking about the role life has in modulating the concentration of gases (atmospheric or not), and how the concentration of those gases modulate biological “lifestyle” (survival, maintenance, growth). As examples, I investigate how ancient raindrop craters can record atmospheric density, how gas bubbles trapped as amygdales in ancient lava flows can record atmospheric pressure, and how channel morphology can be an indicator of flow sustainability (the latter in the context of Mars). I’m also very interested in the topographic evolution of Mars. At Ames, I focus on the latter part of this interest: how rocks can create or contribute to an atmosphere. Specifically, I am investigating the connection between geology, geochemistry, and microbiology in serpentinizing systems, through a combination of field, laboratory and theoretical studies. Deep-sea exploration has been a growing interest of mine, overprinted on the space exploration passion that has fueled my career. To that end, I have been involved with research cruises on-board the R/V Atlantis, and have explored the sea-floor both robotically (ROV Jason), and physically (DSV Alvin).” Source
About Sanjoy:
Education:
Research:
Atmospheric geology, Geomorphology, Aqueous Geochemistry, Bioenergetics, Astrobiology Education
Where Dr. Sanjoy Som can be found:
Exobiology Branch
NASA Ames Research Center
http://spacescience.arc.nasa.g
&
Research Scientist & Director
Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
http://www.bmsis.org/