Our lab aims to understand life’s origins and distribution. We are particularly interested on autocatalytic and pre-genetic evolutionary processes, and on developing strategies for biosignature detection in space exploration. One of our most recent projects is a simulation of Jupiter’s moon Europa to better understand how organic molecules from meteorites that reach its surface change over time under extreme conditions – this project is funded thanks to a NASA Research Initiation Award. The results of which will be key to deciphering the data obtained by NASA’s flagship mission Europa Clipper which launched in 2024. Our team designed a closed-environment ultra-high vacuum system – dubbed Boreas in honor of the ancient Greek god of the north cold wind – to simulate the surface of Europa and other cold, icy moons such as Enceladus and Titan.