Influencing Astrobiology
Who I Am and What I Do
I am the deputy director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). The Institute has over 600 member-scientists working at about 100 participating academic and research institutions, organized into 15 lead teams. The management of the NAI is centered at NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California. Our researchers work both in the laboratory and in the field, and their field work takes them to some pretty remote places. We now have three international partners, the Centro de Astrobiologia (Spain), the United Kingdom Astrobiology Forum, and the Australian Centre for Astrobiology.
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Two of the most interesting areas that I have chosen to lead are: NAI's International Affiliates/Associates and the "Focus Group" programs. Our Focus Groups are inter-disciplinary collections of scientists concentrating on specific areas that are ripe for new discoveries, particularly those that can come from sharing expertise, equipment, and field expeditions. We have groups organized around research themes related to Early Earth, Astromaterials, Evolutionary Genomics, Ecogenomics,
Mars, and
Europa. From the past to the present to the future; astrobiology does it all!
The most exciting aspect about my job at NASA is directly influencing the development of the multidisciplinary field of astrobiology. I have a ring-side seat; the NAI provides substantial funding for innovative research, helps connect scientists to NASA's missions (and vice versa), creates and supports projects designed to reach and train students, and is instrumental in the formation of international partnerships. Astrobiology is all about life; life in the universe, life as a function of a planet's development, the origins and future of life. And it encompasses biology, chemistry, paleontology, geology, physics, astronomy, and so much more; bioinformatics, computer modelling, astrophysics, molecular biology, biogeochemistry, etc., etc.
Career Journey
I received my doctorate in Cancer Biology and Medical Microbiology in 1983 from Stanford University, and did my postdoctoral work there in the School of Medicine. I've been with NASA for 10 years, first as a cell biologist with the Life Sciences Division at NASA Ames Research Center. After three years as a Principal Investigator (PI) in my own laboratory, with students, technicians, and visiting colleagues, I switched my emphasis to education and public communications as NASA's Life Sciences outreach program manager. I was later promoted to deputy director of the NASA Astrobiology Institute.
As a principal investigator, I got to do the work I wanted to do, pursue what I'm curious about, in my own lab. But to do that, you have to study and study and get a doctorate (Ph.D.) that is your 'achievement badge' that says you've mastered the skills of asking good questions, figuring out how to get answers to those good questions systematically, and know how to probe the published material of other scientists to make sure that you're asking the best possible questions and answering them in the most effective ways. As a PI, you can run your own projects. You also have an obligation to teach; maybe in a university or maybe by having students work in your lab, or both.
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After a few years of doing that, I found I was really good at juggling dozens of ideas and projects at the same time. That mental skill turned out to be good but not great for a PI (made me too distractable and restless) but ideal for someone who's interested in managing science. Management means doing a large number of different things--writing, speaking persuasively, handling budgets, mentoring people, directing individuals and teams, translating science accomplishments into communications and advocacy materials, learning about different media, interacting with sister organizations internationally, and translating the needs and vision of different scientific disciplines to each other and to sponsors. (Actually, PIs do all those things, too--but while they are trying to do those things well, they are hoping to be left alone to get back to what they love, the focus of their laboratory.) Managing astrobiology science means staying in touch with fields, and discoveries, as diverse as astrophysics, geochemistry, paleontology, planetary science, and malacology (look it up!). All of that is very appealing to a mind that thrives on titillation.
Growing Up
Although my choices in high school were not extensive in math and science, the input from my parents was directed toward these subjects. I excelled in English, history, languages and math, but I didn't get captured by microbiology until college.
Personal
A single main obstacle stands out in my mind in my professional development: the difficult atmosphere for women in science that is not changing nearly fast enough. There's nothing else that impacted my career and my career choices as much as that reality. Not skill, not talent, not intelligence, not willingness to work hard. I recommend that girls and young women seek mentors. Mentors are helpful to anyone in any career, and can make a tremendous difference in the lives of young women.
Advice
When you meet the challenges of growing up and making school and later career decisions, always try to put yourself in a position where you are constantly learning-it keeps your perspective fresh and keeps you growing. Don't let anyone stunt your growth! "If you can dream it, you can do it."
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