Scientists are still uncertain how the components of life on Earth combined to produce the simplest cells, and how complex cells eventually developed. Dr. Adam investigates both of these major questions and some associated assumptions, including whether the origin of life must have required water. The latter question is of great interest to astrobiologists engaged in the search for life elsewhere.
Zachary Adam received his Ph.D. in Earth Sciences from Montana State University in 2014. He is an Agouron Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Andrew Knoll Lab, Dept of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University. Dr. Adam represents the best of the trend toward interdisciplinary science, by combining his expertise in paleontology, astrobiology and engineering. He is also the founder and director of Blue Marble Space Inst of Science.