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This is event is supported by the WiCOR Lecture Fund and the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery.
Title: Understanding the Chemical Origins of Life
Abstract:
How life began on Earth, and whether it is likely widespread in the universe, are two of science’s greatest unanswered questions. The former question became formalized in the early 20th century, and has undergone numerous revisions since. The history and current state of this question, and its implications for the likelihood of life beyond Earth, will be reviewed in this lecture.
Speaker Bio:
Henderson “Jim” Cleaves II is Professor and Chair of the Department of Chemistry at Howard University in Washington, DC. His research spans the chemistry of life’s origins, astrobiology, and complex reaction networks. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry from the University of California, San Diego under the mentorship of Professor Stanley Miller, and has held research appointments at institutions including the Carnegie Institution of Washington, the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, and the Earth-Life Science Institute at the Tokyo Institute of Technology in Japan. His scientific work focuses on prebiotic chemistry – how simple molecules on the early Earth and other worlds might have assembled into the building blocks of biology. By combining laboratory experiments, theoretical models, and collaborations across disciplines, he has sought to understand the chemical pathways that bridge the gap between geochemistry and biochemistry, contributing to a growing international dialogue on how life begins.
In addition to his research career, Cleaves is an active academic leader and science communicator. He served three terms as President of the International Society for the Study of the Origins of Life (ISSOL) has organized numerous conferences in astrobiology and prebiotic chemistry and published widely in scientific journals, and has published several popular science books and science textbooks on these topics. As a department chair at Howard University, he is committed to advancing chemical education, mentoring students, and building bridges between research and teaching. Throughout his career, Cleaves has worked to expand public understanding of the origins of life and to cultivate the next generation of scientists prepared to explore fundamental questions about our place in the Universe.
Learn more about the speaker
- Article from Howard University: “Discovering the ‘Holy Grail’ for Detecting Alien Life with Howard Chemistry Professor Jim Cleaves“
- NASA’s Ask an Astrobiologist on YouTube: “How & When Do Molecules Become Life with Dr. Henderson “Jim” Cleaves“
Directions:
The Discovery Building is located at 330 N. Orchard St, Madison, WI 53715. The H.F. DeLuca Forum is in the center of the ground floor. Utilize this campus map to find the Discovery Building, and select the “Public Parking” filter to find nearby parking options: https://maps.wisc.edu/s/gwh8nal7
Accommodations:
WiCOR is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event. If you need a reasonable accommodation, please contact Vanessa Orr, WiCOR Administrative Manager, at wicor@wisc.edu. All requests must be made by Sept 24. We will attempt to implement late requests but cannot guarantee they will be met.
