President & Representative on the EANA council:

Silvana Pinna

I am a postdoctoral researcher at the Centro de Astrobiología (CAB, INTA-CSIC) in Madrid (Spain) working on the detection of early metabolic biosignatures. In my work, I try to shorten the gap between geochemistry and modern metabolism.  During my PhD at University College London (UCL, London UK) I investigated the primordial emergence of ATP, the “universal energy currency” of the cell, via substrate-level phosphorylation by the small prebiotically plausible molecule acetyl phosphate, in hydrothermal settings. My first experience with Astrobiology was a summer internship here at the CAB, where I was testing an instrument for biosignature detection for a possible application on the Martian soil. My other interests include going to the theatre, singing and travelling. See you at the next AbGradE event!

Email me: spinna ( at ) cab.inta-csic.es

Vice-president:

Nina Kopacz

I am a PhD student at the Department of Earth Science of Utrecht University. I work on characterizing the organic carbon content of rocky bodies in our Solar System, such as meteorites, Mars, asteroids and comets. To do so I perform laboratory experiments using simulation chambers aimed at reproducing these environments. I hope that these experiments, along with data from astronomical observations, will help to better understand the distribution of organic content and guide our instrumentation choices in space missions aimed at its detection.
I am also part of the PELE team (Planetary Analogs & Exobiology Lava Tube expedition), which investigates lava tubes as analog sites to possible strongholds of life on Mars.

Email me: k.a.kopacz ( at ) gmail.com

Treasurer:

Petra Schwendner

I received my PhD in the fascinating field of microbiology focusing on microbial diversity of extreme environments. Since 2014, I have been involved in the MASE (Mars Analogues for Space Exploration) project working at the University of Edinburgh and recently moved on to study hypobarophiles at the Space Life Sciences Lab in Florida. I am looking forward to meeting you at AbGradE.

Email me: science.schwendner ( at ) outlook.com

Media/Correspondence:

Hector-Andreas Stavrakakis

I am currently a PhD student at the National Technical University of Athens, School of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering. In my PhD I investigate the use of electrokinetics in geological formations in extreme conditions and in extent their utilisation for space and Martian applications for the production of mission essentials. My research interests evolve around space technologies and sciences but are primarily focused on Mars and the Martian environment. This has allowed me to participate in many groups and projects over the years, each time with amazing experiences, such as AbGradE. My other interests include board games (Warhammer 40k primarily), cooking, travelling and doing sports.

Email me: hecstavrakakis ( at ) gmail.com

Afonso Mota

I am a PhD candidate at the University of Porto, working in the Portuguese Institute of Astrophysics and Space Sciences, as well as CIIMAR (Porto, Portugal) and MNHN (Paris, France). My research bridges microbiology and astrophysics to assess microbial habitability in the Solar System (e.g. Mars and icy moons) and beyond (exoplanets). I work on modelling (exo)planetary environments and then performing laboratory experiments to assess the survival and growth capabilities of extremophiles in such conditions. I am also a co-founder of a Portuguese Astrobiology student initiative, AstroBioLusitanos, where we actively participate in science communication with the general public.

Email me: afonso.mota (at) astro.up.pt

Ben Tatton

I am a PhD student in the AstrobiologyOU research group at the Open University in the United Kingdom. My research is focused on prokaryotic life in high-altitude lakes and what biogeochemical cycling within these systems can tell us about the type of life that may have been present on Mars during more clement periods in its history. To do this my research aims to assess how geochemical changes impact the community profile and function within these extreme environments as well as to identify plausible metabolisms through laboratory simulation experiments. I have adopted an interdisciplinary approach, combing geochemical and ‘omics-based analytical methods. Outside of my PhD, I can usually be found outdoors with hiking, camping, and running being amongst my favourite past times.

Email me: ben.tatton (at) open.ac.uk

Costanza Maria Martella

Hello there! My name is Costanza and I’m a PhD student in Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. My research focuses on extremophiles, particularly cyanobacteria that can survive under extreme conditions such as those found in space environments. As part of my PhD project, I’m developing a biosensor capable of emitting luciferase in response to ionizing radiation and microgravity. This system will help us better understand how these extreme factors affect cells, ultimately contributing to the safety of future human space exploration. I’m a dynamic person who loves art in all its forms, from music to cinema, and I believe that scientific work is, in many ways, a bridge that connects passionate people from different cultures. I’m really looking forward to meeting you all soon!

Email me: costanzamariamartella (at) gmail.com

Eduardo Alonso Pintado

I am currently a PhD student at the Center for Astrobiology (INTA-CSIC) in Madrid, Spain. My research is focused on understanding what the first polymers on prebiotic Earth could have been and how to detect them elsewhere in the Solar System. Polymers are fundamental for life and amino acids, in particular, the monomers of proteins, have been found in meteoritic material, asteroids and in prebiotic chemistry experiments. Therefore, the presence of amino acid polymers in sites that may have hosted prebiotic chemistry such as Mars, Europa or Enceladus is conceivable. We are carrying out a series of polymerization experiments in different simulated prebiotic scenarios aimed to the production of simple peptides from the most frequent amino acids found in space. To detect these peptides, a series of antibodies have been developed with the aim of implementing them in the LDChip (Life Detector Chip). And besides being a science geek, I also love history, nature, adventure sports, road trips and beer.

Email me: eduardo.alonso (at) edu.uah.es

Inês Figueiredo

Hello there, I’m Inês and I am a PhD student at the University of Edinburgh, working on a biotechnology set-up that uses space residues as nutrient sources for fungi, to produce life support essentials for future long-term space missions. From the lab to the Moon, I’m exploring how microorganisms can make space missions more self-sustainable and practical!
I’m also very passionate about science communication, which led me to co-create a portuguese astrobiology students’ group with other portuguese students. Through our social media, workshops, and talks, we share the wonders of astrobiology with younger portuguese students! Besides this, I love watching series, going to the beach, and spending long afternoons in a nice café with friends! I hope to see you at the next AbGradE event!

Email me: pereiraines2000 (at) gmail.com

Luise Jumpertz

Hey, it’s Luise! I am a master student from the black forest in Germany! I just finished my master program in Earth Sciences at Utrecht University, where I did my thesis on prebiotic chemistry. During this project, I investigated the effect of UV-irradiation on glycine in prebiotic ferrocyanide ponds. I had the chance to collaborate with three other AbGradE members: Salomé, Alexandra, and Nina, and they are truly what I loved the most about this project. I would love to continue with a PhD, but am still looking for the perfect opportunity. Besides, I enjoy biking, hiking, playing the french horn, crocheting, or going for a swim in the river. The city life really isn’t for me, so if you’re looking for me, you’ll find me in the mountains or by the sea… or maybe at the next AbGradE event!

Email me: luise.jumpertz (at) univ-amu.fr

Mariano Battistuzzi

I am a postdoctoral researcher currently working in the Plant Biotechnology and Physiology Laboratory of the Department of Biology, University of Padua, Italy.  I study oxygenic photosynthetic organisms (cyanobacteria, microalgae, plants) under niche light regimes and non-terrestrial atmospheric compositions. My PhD thesis regarded the study of the survival, growth and acclimation of cyanobacteria under simulated conditions mimicking those of an exoplanet orbiting the Habitable Zone of an M-dwarf star, with the aim of evaluating the potentiality of these organisms to produce biosignatures detectable from remote. During my free time I enjoy running, playing on the PC, and tabletop or card games.

Email me: mariano.battistuzzi (at) unipd.it

Pablo L. Finkel

Hello! I am Pablo, from Spain – currently a postdoctoral researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Solar System Research in Göttingen, Germany. My work here focuses on lipid biomarkers, which are not only the cheeky molecules that contribute to our beloved body fat, but also the integral components of the cellular plasma membrane, a fundamental barrier that separates the most basic units of life from the rest of the universe. The hydrocarbon cores of lipids are incredibly resistant molecules, capable of upholding their integrity for billions of years if preserved under the right conditions. Because of their remarkable durability and their universal role in life (as we know it), lipid biomarkers stand out as prime targets in the search for life on Mars – making them a central focus of the Mars Organic Molecule Analyser (MOMA) mass spectrometer aboard ESA’s Rosalind Franklin rover, a mission I am proud to contribute to. Beyond research, I really value science communication, and my favourite activity in the world is mountaineering. Also, I love penguins with all my heart.

Email me: plfinkel (at) cab.inta-csic.es

Stella Marie Timofeev

I did my Bachelors in Biological Sciences with focus in Nanobiotechnology at the University of Münster (Germany). After that, I very luckily found my way to the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cologne where I am currently finishing my Master thesis in Space Microbiology. I will soon start a PhD in the same research group. My scientific focus is on fungal decontamination approaches and the search for antifungal materials, which can be applied as built material in space crafts for longterm manned space flights. Despite being in the lab, I have a passion for cooking and being active outside, preferably hiking in the woods, collecting mushrooms!

Email me: stella.timofeev (at) dlr.de