For centuries, humanity has been grappling with the fundamental question: are we alone in the universe? The origins of life on Earth and the search for life on other planets are important scientific topics now within our grasp to potentially answer.

These questions rely on a multitude of disciplines, including physics, astronomy, planetary science, geoscience, chemistry, and biochemistry, etc. In this talk, I will examine our place in the universe, first by zooming out from our local environment (Earth and the Solar System) to the edge of the observable universe, describing the astrophysical phenomena that underpin our universe. Then, we will zoom back into the planetary scale, discussing the aspects that could dictate the possible habitability of planets. Finally, I will discuss our prospects for finding other life in our universe. 

Zoe Todd is an Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Astronomy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Before arriving at UW-Madison, she was a NASA Sagan Fellow Postdoc at the University of Washington, where she worked with Prof. David Catling in the Department of Earth and Space Sciences. Prior to that, she completed her PhD at Harvard University in Astronomy and Astrophysics, working with Prof. Dimitar Sasselov and Prof. Jack Szostak. Zoe attended Penn State University for her undergraduate studies, where she majored in Astronomy & Astrophysics, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, and Physics. At UW-Madison, the Todd group focuses on understanding how life could have originated on Earth, and what these results mean for the search for life elsewhere. In her spare time, Zoe enjoys riding her pony, Peter.

Location: MAS is in the process of arranging a brand new meeting location. Watch this space for info on where meetings will be held in July 2026 and beyond.