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The University of Hawaii NASA Astrobiology Institute (UHNAI) will host the invitation-only Computational Astrobiology Summer Symposium (CASS) from August 1-15 2011. This is an excellent opportunity for graduate students in computer science and related areas to expand their knowledge of astrobiology by applying their computational skills in substantial projects that solve the real-world challenges faced by astrobiology research scientists.
The two-week on-site part of the program will be an intensive survey of the field of astrobiology. NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) scientists will present their work, and the group will discuss ways in which computational tools (e.g. models, simulations, data processing applications, sensor networks, etc.) could advance astrobiology research. Also during this time, participants will define their projects, with the help of the participating NAI researchers. Suitable projects are significant team or individual programming efforts that result in useful tools for astrobiology research.
On returning to their home institutions, participants will begin work on their projects, under the supervision of a mentor, with appropriate input from the astrobiologist(s). The amount of time required to complete a project will vary, but the effort should be roughly equivalent to a one semester, three credit-hour course. Indeed, we anticipate that most participants will arrange to earn credit for their project at their home institution. When the projects are completed, participants are expected to submit a poster to an astrobiology-related conference (some travel support available).
Application deadline: April 15, 2011
For more information, see http://www.ifa.hawaii.edu/UHNAI/CASS2011/
Source: NAI Newsletter
Every summer, NAI teams and others host hands-on, in-the-field, in-the-lab workshops for educators. The workshops feature cutting edge astrobiology research delivered by astrobiology scientists and education professionals, as well as inquiry- and standards-based activities ready for your classroom. Below is the list of offerings for Summer 2011.
ASTROBIOLOGY SUMMER SCIENCE EXPERIENCE for TEACHERS (ASSET)
Dates: July 17-23, 2011
Location: San Francisco, CA
Applications due: March 31, 2011
URL: http://www.seti.org/epo/ASSET
The ASSET experience will be intense and exciting, interactive and content rich, with presentations by leading astrobiology researchers from the SETI Institute, NASA, and the California Academy of Sciences. Participants receive the Voyages Through Time curriculum. All expenses are covered for participants.
ASTROBIOLOGY LABORATORY INSTITUTE FOR INSTRUCTORS (ALI'I)
Dates: July 7-13, 2011
Location: University of Hawai'i, Manoa, Oahu, HI
Applications due: March 31, 2011
Contact: Mary Kado'oka, kadooka@ifa.hawaii.edu
This workshop, designed for secondary science teachers, will introduce the big picture of astrobiology before delving deeper to highlight specific contributions from cosmochemistry, heliophysics, astronomy, geosciences and evolution. The central theme is "twin timelines" - the timeline of the universe (from the Big Bang to the origin of our species) and the timeline of human discoveries (from the Age of Enlightenment to emerging frontiers). Besides lectures and state-of-the-art lab tours, the newest development will be the active participation of all scientists leading hands-on activities. Registration fee is $50. Because of a tuition waiver, 3 University of Hawaii graduate education credits will be offered for the administrative fee of $158. A limited number of teachers from continental US will receive a subsidy of $1000 to defray expenses. Accepted Hawaii teachers will be fully subsidized. Dormitory accommodations will be available on the UH campus within walking distance of the workshop.
Source: NAI Newsletter
A new virtual Astrobiology Centre is being founded at Stockholm University to which the Departments of Astronomy, Geology, Physics, and Molecular Biology and Functional Genomics will contribute. The centre will conduct a multitude of interdisciplinary research efforts, some carried out in cooperation with NAI teams. Four postdoctoral researchers will be hired for these projects over the next four years. In addition, five graduate student (Ph.D.) positions starting in Fall 2011 have been announced (information at http://astrobiology.physto.se/ ).
In addition to research activities, the centre, which will be an extension of the existing Astrobiology Graduate School, will organise special courses in astrobiology, summer schools, conferences, and seminars. The Nordic Network of Astrobiology Graduate Schools is also coordinated from Stockholm University.
Source: NAI Newsletter
The deadline for the 2011 MIRS Program is March 31, 2011.
The Astrobiology Program Minority Institution Research Support (MIRS) program, administered by the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, provides funded opportunities for researchers from minority institutions to initiate partnerships with researchers in the field of astrobiology. Past MIRS Scholars have worked with researchers at UCLA, NASA Ames, the University of Hawaii, JPL, the University of Wisconsin, NASA Goddard, and Portland State University.
For more information: http://www.uncfsp.org/spknowledge/default.aspx?page=program.view&areaid=1&contentid=811&typeid=NAIMIRS53345
Source: NAI Newsletter
NASA is accepting applications from science and engineering post-docs, recent PhDs, and doctoral students for its 23rd Annual Planetary Science Summer School, which will hold two separate sessions this summer (18-22 July and 1-5 August) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif. During the program and pre-session webinars, student teams will carry out the equivalent of an early mission concept study, prepare a proposal authorization review presentation, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. By the completion of the session, students will have a clearer understanding of the mission design relationships among science instruments, cost, and schedule, and the trade-offs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the opportunity to acquire high-quality science. They will also understand the lifecycle of a robotic space mission.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2011
For more information, see https://pscischool.jpl.nasa.gov/index.cfm
Source: NAI Newsletter
The NASA Astrobiology Program Research Scholarship Program offers research-related travel support for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Applicants are encouraged to use these resources to circulate among two or more research teams, however any travel that is critical for the applicant's research will be considered. Travelers must be formally affiliated with a U.S. institution. Requests are limited to $5,000.
For more information, see http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-research-scholarships
Source: NAI Newsletter
The NASA Astrobiology Program is pleased to announce the selection of four new NASA Postdoctoral Fellows:
Aaron Engelhart (Georgia Tech)
Advisor: Jack Szostak (Exobiology: Prebiotic Evolution, Mass General/ Harvard)
Topic: "Experimental Models of a Key Step in Prebiotic Compartmentalization: Coupling Vesicle Growth and Nucleic Acid Synthesis"
Svetlana Berdyugina (ETH Zurich)
Advisor: Karen Meech (NAI University of Hawaii Team)
Topic: "Hot Water in Exoplanets and Protoplanetary Disks"
Aaron Goldman (University of Washington)
Advisor: Laura Landweber at Princeton University (NAI, Georgia Tech Team)
Topic: "ORGOS: A Database and Unified Organizational Framework to Aggregate, Evaluate, and Advance Origin of Life Research"
Jordan Okie (Univ. of New Mexico)
Advisors: Everett Shock (Exobiology: Early Evolution of Life and the Biosphere, Arizona State University) and Tori Hoehler (NAI, NASA Ames Team)
Topic: "Thermodynamic and Kinetic Constraints on Metabolic Diversity: Quantifying the Biogeochemical Niche Space of Life"
More information about the NPP can be found at http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/funding/nai-postdoctoral-fellowship-program/
Source: NAI Newsletter
May 12-13, 2011
A two-day workshop using NAI remote communications tools will be held on May 12th and 13th, 2011. Organized by Chris Dupont of the J. Craig Venter Institute, along with John Peters and Ariel Anbar, leaders of the Montana State University and Arizona State University NAI teams, respectively.
Anticipated presentation topics include:
* Spatial and temporal dynamics of ocean redox chemistry
* Molecular biomarkers: biological role and usage as a proxy
* The evolution of phytoplankton
* The last universal common ancestor
* Applications of synthetic biology in paleobiology
* Modern day analogs of ancient environments
* The evolution of metabolic pathways
The workshop will consist of talks and discussion. Each presentation will allow ample time for questions and answers afterwards. Although talks will be recorded and posted online at scivee.tv, we encourage researchers to attend in real time to engage in what we expect will be a lively exchange of ideas during the workshop.
While many of the speakers have been confirmed, time has been set aside for four to six shorter contributed talks. Travel and hotel costs will be covered for those giving contributed talks. In addition, it is anticipated that funds for several more travel grants will be available. If interested in attending or giving a contributed talk, please email Chris Dupont (cdupont@jcvi.org) your contact information and an abstract or reason for attending. Selection of talks and travel grants will begin April 1st. Preference will be given to younger scientists.
Workshop Organizing Committee
* Chris Dupont, J. Craig Venter Institute
* Ariel Anbar, Arizona State University
* John Peters, Montana State University
For more information and participation instructions, visit: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/geobiology2011
Source: NAI Newsletter
Celebrating the International Year of Chemistry, The Future of Women in Chemistry and Science was a virtual conference featuring women from across the spectrum of careers in science sharing insights on such topics as how to understand GenY, mentorship, work-life balance, and how to attract women into science. Sixty women participated in this 60 minute presentation sponsored by Dow Chemical and Scientific American. NAI affiliates Felisa Wolfe-Simon, Linda McGown, and Catherine Drennan participated.
For more information and to view the presentations: http://www.futurewecreate.com/
Source: NAI Newsletter
Date/Time: Monday, March 28, 2011 11:00AM Pacific
Presenter: George Cody (Carnegie Institution of Washington)
Abstract:
Primitive bodies in the Solar System contain relatively large quantities of refractory organic macromolecular material. A lack of consensus exists as to the ultimate origin of these extraterrestrial organic solids stemming largely from the fact that throughout the Galaxy there exist many regions were extensive organo-synthesis occurs. Origins theories span from the lowest temperatures in the Interstellar Medium up to 1000 K in the inner Solar System. The best constraint on the origin of refractory organic solids is obtained by detailed studies of the organic material directly. Using advanced spectroscopic techniques we have identified a plausible source for these organic solids and show that the organic solids in both comets and carbonaceous chondrites share a common origin. The broader implications of these results, both in terms of our understanding of the early history of primitive Solar System objects and the origin of life on Earth, will be discussed.
For more information and participation instructions: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/detail/190
Source: NAI Newsletter
Dear Colleague:
This is the seventh newsletter to the community regarding the planetary science decadal survey.
The report has now been released. You can download it (all 412 pages!) on the web at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=13117
The mission studies that were performed in support of the decadal survey can also be downloaded at: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/SSB_059331
The report describes an exciting program of planetary exploration for the decade 2013-2022, all of it derived from community inputs. Here are some of the highlights:
* Increased R&A funding
* A robust program of technology development for planetary exploration
* Continuation of the Discovery program of PI-led missions
* Two more New Frontiers missions, to be drawn from a list of seven exciting candidates
* Prioritized flagship missions that would begin the process of returning samples from Mars, explore a likely ocean on Europa, and carry out the first in-depth study of an Ice Giant planet.
The report also includes detailed recommendations for many other activities supported by NASA and NSF. I encourage you to download it, read it, and share it with your colleagues. (What's available now is the prepublication version of the report; the final printed version will be released in a few months.)
The report's release comes at a time of great challenges to NASA's planetary exploration program. The President's budget for FY 2012 provides strong support for planetary exploration, but the budget projections for the years beyond that decline precipitously. The decadal report provides clear decision rules that can be used if necessary to adjust the program in the face of declining budgets. But if the recent budget projections were actually to come to pass, it could mean the end of flagship-class planetary missions at NASA for years to come.
Fortunately, the real budget story has yet to be written. NASA's budget is negotiated on a year-by-year basis, and the final budget each year must be passed by the Congress. All of us as individuals have the opportunity to communicate with Congress regarding the NASA budget.
And here is a crucial point: In the face of declining budget projections, we as a community need to stand together and argue persuasively for NASA's program of planetary science and exploration. The decadal report can be a tool for helping us do that. It arose from our community, and it has the full weight of the National Research Council behind it. If we stay united, we can use it to argue effectively for a well-funded program that will give us the kinds of missions we all want to see in the years ahead. If our community fragments, though, we will be much less effective in arguing for planetary exploration over other budget priorities.
Part of the process of letting the community learn more about the decadal survey is a series of town hall meetings that will be held around the country. These are being organized by the DPS. Here's the schedule as it now stands:
Mountain View, CA March 15
College Park, MD March 25
Boston, MA March 26
Boulder, CO March 29
Tucson, AZ March 30
New York, NY March 31
Orlando, FL March 31 or April 1
St. Louis, MO April 6
Pasadena, CA April 12
Chicago, IL April 13
Members of the decadal steering group will be at each of these town halls to present the details of the report and answer any questions you might have. More details regarding the town halls can be found on the web at: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/2013decadal
The decadal survey has been a huge effort for our community, involving two years of work and the efforts of many hundreds of scientists, engineers, and managers. I'd especially like to thank you, the community, for all the effort you put into making this a truly community-wide effort. I'd also like to extend my warmest thanks to our many colleagues who served on the steering group and the panels, Jim Green and everyone else at NASA Headquarters, the CATE team at Aerospace Corporation, the mission study teams at APL, Goddard, JPL, and the other NASA centers, David Smith and everyone at the NRC, and the 18 peer reviewers of the report. It was a splendid effort by all.
Best wishes,
Steve Squyres
Planetary Decadal Survey Chair
April 1-2, 2011
A two-day symposium using NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) remote communications tools, on "The Ribosome: Structure, Function & Evolution," will be held on April 1-2, 2011. Real-time participation requires only an internet connection and is available to interested scientists from around the world. A chat area will be hosted by graduate students and post docs of Georgia Tech's Ribo Evo Center, to facilitate remote interaction during the symposium. More details, including connection and registration information, is available at the meeting website given below.
The 2011 Suddath Symposium on the Ribosome at Georgia Tech brings together researchers who are exploring various aspects of ribosome structure and function. The ribosome is a molecular machine that is responsible for protein synthesis in all living cells. This indispensable component of life, which contains both RNA and proteins, can be viewed as a molecular fossil. That is, the comparison of ribosomal RNA and proteins from distantly related organisms suggests that the origins and evolution of protein synthesis remain imprinted in present day ribosomes, providing a "rewindable" molecular recording of early evolution that appears to go all the way back to the origin of life.
Because the ribosome is central to the biochemistry of all life, it is a major target for drug development. For example, the mode of action of many antibiotics is to inhibit translation or cause bacterial ribosome to make mistakes during protein synthesis. Due to differences between bacterial and eukaryotic ribosomes, the result of billions of years of divergent evolution, drugs can be highly effective against bacterial ribosomes without causing appreciable side effects in human cells. Thus, studies of ribosome structure, function and evolution have scientific implications ranging from understanding the origin and early evolution of life to the development of novel pharmaceuticals.
For more information and participation instructions, visit: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/ribosfe
Dear Colleagues:
As many of you know, the Society's journal, Gravitational and Space Biology, is undergoing a series of changes to become a completely electronic, Open Journal, and the September issue will be the first in the new format. One substantial change is that the journal will now accept the submission of manuscripts continuously. There will still be occasional time-delimited calls for issue-specific materials (such as the extended meeting abstracts) but all submissions, of any length, can be submitted for consideration and review at any time. Manuscripts will be published as space permits, in the order of acceptance.
For the time being, submissions can be made through the ASGSB web site http://asgsb.org/manuscript/submit.html using the same formatting template provided for the extended abstracts; however the length need not be limited to two pages.
As always, the main criteria for publication will be that the research presented is original and of significant interest to the community of gravitational and space biologists. All manuscripts will be peer reviewed.
Again, many thanks for your patience as we make this transition.
Below I have compiled a set of the most frequently asked questions to come across my desk in the past few months, but if you have any others, please do not hesitate to ask.
Anna-Lisa Paul
Editor, Gravitational and Space Biology
alp@ufl.edu
Frequently Asked Questions:
Are articles in Gravitational and Space Biology peer reviewed?
Yes; with the exception of solicited Review Articles, which are simply reviewed by an Associate Editor for format and clarity.
Can color be used in figures?
Yes; as an on line journal, we can use color freely without incurring cost. In fact, we encourage submission of cover art for each issue.
Is Gravitational and Space Biology indexed, and does GSB have an impact factor?
Not yet, but hopefully soon; we are working on fulfilling indexing requirements. Currently articles published in GSB can be found via several web search engines, but it is not yet indexed with either PubMed or Web of Science (ISI). Once GSB is indexed, it can begin developing an impact factor.
How many issues will be published per year?
Two; currently one volume in September, which will also contain annual meeting relevant information, and one in April (beginning in April 2012). The number of volumes may increase in future years as we further develop the Open Journal System (OJS) publication of GSB.
Do you need to be a member of ASGSB to publish in Gravitational and Space biology?
No; journal is open to all.
Does the Open Journal System of publication come with any fees for authors?
No, and there will never be any fees for ASGSB members. However, once we are indexed and carry an impact factor, we may consider a modest publication fee for non-members.
What is the average turnaround time between submission and publication?
Currently, about 4-6 months, based on the fact we are a biannual journal. However, if we find that in the coming years we have more manuscripts than we can publish in a timely manner with only two issues per year, we will transition to a tri-annual or quarterly journal. In which case, the turnaround time will decrease proportionally.
Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) program solicits proposals for investigations focused on exploring the Earth's extreme environments in order to develop a sound technical and scientific basis to conduct astrobiological research on other solar system bodies. The ASTEP program is a science-driven exploration program that is expected to result in new science and operational/technological capabilities to enable the next generation of planetary exploration. A unique feature that is central to the ASTEP program is the use of terrestrial field campaigns to further science and technology and NASA,s exploration capabilities.
This amendment delays the proposal due date for C.20 Astrobiology Science And Technology For Exploring Planets. Programmatic schedule conflicts at NASA Headquarters have postponed the ASTEP peer review and hence the date when SMD must have Notices of Intent (NOI) proposals. A corresponding deferral of the ASTEP due dates will provide the community additional time to prepare proposals. The due date for ASTEP NOIs has been changed to Friday, July 22, 2011. The due date for ASTEP proposals has been changed to Friday, September 16, 2011. Table 2 and Table 3 of the Summary of Solicitation for this NRA have been updated to reflect this change.
On or about March 18, 2011, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2011" (NNH11ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select Solicitations 0/00 then Open Solicitations 0/00 then ,NNH11ZDA001N 0/00). You can now track amendments, clarifications and corrections to ROSES and subscribe to an RSS feed at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2011
Questions concerning ASTEP may be addressed to, Mary Voytek Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-1577; Email: HQ-ASTEP@mail.nasa.gov
We are now accepting applications to the NAI-sponsored Astrobiology Research Focus Group Workshop: an intensive three-day training workshop for early career astrobiologists. The goal of this workshop is to build collaborative proposal writing & research skills in the next generation of astrobiology scientists.
Through the course of the workshop, participants create an original proposal on a topic relevant to the current state of astrobiology research, which must be presented to a body of peers. Participants are encouraged to use the workshop as a forum for exploring creative and original research topics.
The 2009 and 2010 workshops produced several original research ideas. Highlights include: work leading to a successfully funded research grant through the NAI director's discretionary fund and an internationally recognized space policy paper proposing a METI protocol for messaging extraterrestrial intelligence.
New this year, we will be hosting an intimate NASA proposal writing workshop that will be led by Dr. Michael New from NASA headquarters.
Also new this year, we will unveil the details of the Young Investigator's Award: a new award being developed to provide support to research ideas developed at RFG.
Please visit our website to apply today and apply!
Food & Lodging for this workshop is covered for all accepted participants as is travel from Bozeman, MT to El Western Resort in Ennis, MT.
Applications will be open until April 8th, 2011!
http://www.facebook.com/l/be2f5RMipe5KYAs_-KZgorcJ4XA/www.abgradcon.org/rfg.html
if you have any questions please e-mail rfgw11@ http://www.facebook.com/l/be2f51XuGBHnuz3Rz3Ctgd6dvlg/gmail.com
Annual Meeting of the AOGS (Asia-Oceania Geosciences Society)
Taipei, Taiwan August 8-12, 2011
Abstract deadline: March 15, 2011
http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2011/public.asp?page=home.htm
This session invites solicited, contributed, and poster presentations addressing:
(1) conditions on the early Earth that may have been necessary for the origin of life.
(2) subsequent events and conditions that may have contributed to the evolution of organisms and the development of Earth's climate.
(3) biological & geochemical characterization of extreme environments.
(4) habitability of extraterrestrial atmospheres, surfaces & interiors.
(5) methods or technological approaches for detecting biosignatures.
Contact: Dr. Louise Prockter (Johns Hopkins University, United States) louise.prockter@jhuapl.edu