The Search for Living Worlds
Join fellow UW alumni in the Valley of the Sun to hear from leading UW astronomy faculty as they discuss UW–Madison’s Wisconsin Center for Origins Research: a multidisciplinary research initiative focused on understanding the conditions necessary for life to exist in the universe. How does what we know about the beginnings of our own planet and species inform the search for life elsewhere?
This exciting program will be moderated by Rich Townsend, PhD. You will also hear a campus update from Dean Eric M. Wilcots, PhD.
The cost of this event is $25 per person or $15 for young alumni.
Register by February 1.
Speakers
Thomas Beatty, PhD, is an assistant professor of astronomy at UW–Madison. He is also an assistant astronomer on the research faculty at the University of Arizona, where he worked on the NIRCam imager for the James Webb Space Telescope. His research focuses largely on the discovery of exoplanets.
Rich Townsend, PhD, is the Fluno-Bascom Professor of Astrophysics and chair of UW–Madison’s Department of Astronomy. His varied research interests include the structure, evolution, and seismology of stars. He has received several awards from NASA and the National Science Foundation for his work.
Susanna Widicus Weaver, PhD, is the Vozza Professor of Chemistry and Astronomy at UW–Madison. She leads a research group that focuses on the emerging field of prebiotic astrochemistry, investigating the chemical mechanisms in space that lead to the development of biological systems and the formation of life.
Eric M. Wilcots, PhD, is the Mary C. Jacoby Professor of Astronomy and dean of the UW–Madison College of Letters & Science. His research focuses on the evolution and gas content of individual galaxies and galaxy groups through the lens of radio wavelengths. Prior to moving to Madison, he was a Karl Jansky Postdoctoral Fellow at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Socorro, New Mexico, and he continues that line of research through leading the UW’s involvement in the South African Large Telescope (SALT) project, the largest single-aperture telescope in the southern hemisphere. In addition to his academic research and classroom work, he has won two teaching awards during his time at UW–Madison, including the Chancellor’s Inclusive Excellence Teaching Award. He’s the current cochair of the statewide steering committee for the Wisconsin Science Festival and has led the Universe in the Park outreach program.
Event Schedule
| 5:45 p.m. | Check-in |
| 6:15 p.m. | Program followed by a Q & A and light reception |
| 8:30 p.m. | Event concludes |
Additional Information
When you register, please inform us of any dietary needs, accommodations (such as captions or interpreting services), or other needs.
The Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association continues to monitor and follow the latest public health guidance from local authorities and will hold this event in accordance with those recommendations. If updated guidance requires changes to the event, registrants will be notified via email or event signage.
