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Celebrating the NAI at 20

Join us on November 14th to celebrate the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) as it completes its 20-year tenure. We remember the origin of astrobiology, the impact of the NAI to the field of astrobiology, share the current development of the field, and discuss the future direction of astrobiology at NASA, at the Ames Research Center, and in the broader community.

The Astrobiology Science Forum will highlight Ames’ exobiology and astrobiology enterprise, Ame’s role as the host of the NAI; and share how the field has influenced and changed planetary science missions, trained the next generation of astrobiologists, and built a strong community of passionate researchers. The NAI has established a solid foundation for NASA and Ames to embark vigorously on the next chapter of Astrobiology/Exobiology and to continue the revolutionary discoveries that have and will develop in this thriving field.

For Participants Outside of Ames:
Link for Remote Participation: https://zoom.us/j/533214855

For Participants in the Ames Community:
Registration: To help us plan logistics, for members of the Ames community, please fill out the registration form if you plan to attend in person: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGSsMo2GW-GrLrLhOMY7G_aoGDnxIkZ1llvACRmcC5gG819w/viewform

Location: Building 201 Auditorium, NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA
Badging is required and will be arranged for registered attendees.

Agenda:
08:30–08:45 Welcome and Introductions – Dave Korsmeyer

08:45–10:30 THE ORIGIN
Chair: Scott Hubbard
· Scott Hubbard: Founding the NASA Astrobiology Institute (30 min)
· John Rummel: Exobiology Before Astrobiology (10 min, remote)
· David Morrison/Dave Des Marais: Astrobiology Roadmapping (30 min)
· Lynn Harper: Astrobiology Yesterday and Tomorrow (15 min)
· Rose Grymes: NAI Early Years (15 min)
· Carl Pilcher: The NAI (5 min, remote)

10:30–11:00 BREAK – coffee and snacks in N200 lobby

11:00–12:30 EVOLUTION: DEVELOPING THE COMMUNITY AND SCIENCE
Chair: Dave Des Marais
· Lynn Rothschild: The Birth of AbSciCon (15 min)
· Greg Schmidt: The NAI model and its Legacy (15 min)
· Dave Des Marais: The Charter NAI Ames Team (15 min)
· Scott Sandford: NAI at 20: Prebiotic Chemical Complexity (15 min)
· Nathalie Cabrol: The NAI at the SETI Institute: Astrobiology Exploration on Earth and Beyond (15 min)
· Mike Mumma: 16 years in the NAI: Synergy Amongst NAI Teams & Paradigm- Shifting Science at Goddard (15 min)

12:30–01:30 LUNCH – on your own

01:30–03:00 THE FUTURE I
Chair: Michael Bicay
· Mary Voytek: The Astrobiology Program: Leading Discovery (15 min, remote)
· Lindsay Hays: The NASA Astrobiology Program: Research, Coordination and Networks (30 min)

PANEL SESSION: OPPORTUNITIES FOR EARLY CAREER ASTROBIOLOGISTS
Moderator: Tori Hoehler (45 min)
(Training programs, funding, RCNs, IRADS, collaboration, challenges)
Panel: Mary Beth Wilhelm, Sanjoy Som, Kathryn Bywaters, Niki Parenteau, David Smith

03:00–03:30 BREAK – coffee and snacks in N200 lobby

03:30–05:00 THE FUTURE II
Chair: Michael Bicay
· Jim Green – Answering the Question: Is There Life Beyond Earth? (8 min, remote)
· Lori Glaze – NASA Astrobiology Looking Forward (5 min, remote)
· Michael Bicay – The Future of (Astro)Biology @ ARC (20 min)
· Alfonso Davila – Astrobiology Missions: ELSAH and Icebreaker (15 min)
· Discussion Period (20 min)