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The Emergence of Life: On the Earth, in the Lab, and Elsewhere
Thursday September 15, 2016  |  9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

The emergence of life is among the most compelling questions in astrobiology. This symposium brings together scientists, humanists, and authors to explore what we know about the origins of life, how we came to know it, and what it means. Organized around the spaces in which we explore the origins of life--in terrestrial nature, in the laboratory, and on other planets--participants will include biologists, geochemists, physicists, historians, philosophers, and authors, each discussing a different aspect of or approach to an origin of life. Each session will feature commentary by a noted journalist and/or author.

Date/Time: Thursday, September 15, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Location: The John W. Kluge Center, Room 119, Thomas Jefferson Building 
Directions to the Library of Congress

Free and open to the public. No RSVP required.

Webcast: This event will be filmed and a video placed on the Kluge Center website and YouTube playlist

Nathaniel ComfortHost

Nathaniel Comfort, 2015-2016 Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology.

More about Nathaniel Comfort

Participants

  • Nathaniel Comfort - Professor, Institute of the History of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University and current Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology
  • Nsikan Akpan - Science Reporter/Producer, PBS NewsHour
  • Steven Benner - Distinguished Fellow, Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution
  • Luis Campos - Associate Professor, The University of New Mexico and incoming Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology
  • Jim Cleaves - Carnegie Institution of Washington
  • Steven Dick - Astronomer, historian of science and second Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology
  • David Grinspoon - Senior Scientist and inaugural Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology
  • Bill Mesler - Author, journalist, science writer
  • Sophia Roosth - Frederick S. Danziger Associate Professor in the History of Science
  • Matt Schrenk - Assistant Professor, Geomicrobiology, Michigan State University
  • Carl Zimmer - Columnist, The New York Times

Previous Astrobiology Symposia

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The NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology is a distinguished senior scholar at The John W. Kluge Center who conducts research at the intersection of the science of astrobiology and its humanistic and social implications. Applications are accepted through December 1 from scholars worldwide. Learn more, apply

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Schedule

Thursday, September 15, 2016

9:00 – 9:15

Welcome & Overview

Welcome from the Kluge Center

Remarks by Mary Voytek, Senior Scientist for Astrobiology, Science Mission Directorate, NASA

Overview of the symposium by Nathaniel Comfort
9:15 – 10:45

Session I - On Earth

Matt Schrenk, Michigan State University
"Gleaning Clues to Earth's Earliest Life from Modern Geothermal Systems"

Jim Cleaves, Carnegie Institution
"The Origin of Life: What Do We Know?"

Nathaniel Comfort, Library of Congress/NASA, Johns Hopkins University
"RNA Worlds"

Commentator: Nsikan Akpan, PBS NewsHour
10:45 – 11:00

Break
11:00 – 12:30

Session II - In the Lab

Steven Benner, Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution
"Minerals, Organics, and the Origins of Life"

Luis Campos, University of New Mexico
"Synthesizing Life: From Early Origins to New Natures"

Sophia Roosth, Harvard University
"Analysis: Synthesis"

Commentator: Carl Zimmer, The New York Times
12:30 - 2:00

Lunch
2:00 – 3:15

Session III - Elsewhere
David Grinspoon, Planetary Science Institute
"What Makes a Planet Come to Life? Lessons from Venus, Earth and Mars"

Steven Dick
"Extraterrestrial Life and Origins of Life: Historical and Philosophical Issues"

Commentator: Bill Mesler, science writer
3:15 - 3:30

Break
3:30 - 4:30

Closing Remarks
General discussion with the audience

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Webcast

A video and transcript of this symposium will be posted on the Kluge Center website and YouTube playlist following the event.

Twitter icon   Join the conversation on Twitter: #LifeEmerges

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