National Academies Seeks Nominations for Two New Committees

The Space Studies Board (SSB) and the Board on Physics and Astronomy (BPA) of the US National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine are seeking nominations for two study committees. The two committees have been tasked with developing consensus reports on 1) an exoplanet science strategy and 2) an astrobiology strategy for the search for life in the universe. Both studies were requested by NASA in response to a Congressional mandate within the NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2017. Links to the Statement of Task for each study are provided below.

The exoplanet committee will be jointly operated by the SSB and the BPA, and the astrobiology committee will be run by the SSB. For both studies, we are seeking candidates broadly from the astronomy, planetary, and astrobiology communities. For the exoplanet study, we are also interested in candidates with expertise in telescope technology, astrobiology, astrochemistry and the search for potential biomarkers, space physics, exoplanet formation and demographics, and so on. For the astrobiology study, we are also seeking experts in the technologies and capabilities of the search for potential biomarkers, experts in astrobiology, astrochemistry, experts in the origin of life, and so on. Since there is overlap in the two studies on the subject of biomarkers, the two committees will coordinate in this area. We especially encourage nominations of women and members of underrepresented minority groups.

Please use the following links to nominate individuals by 7 August 2017, or to contact project staff:

Exoplanet Science Strategy

Astrobiology Strategy

Thank you in advance for your kind assistance.