Gordon Research Conferences

We Request Here to Support a Gordon Conference and an Associated Gordon Research Seminar on the Origins of Life to Be Held Jan 13-19 2018 in Galveston Texas. This Conference Is One of the ?big Three? International Astrobiology Conferences Hosted in the Us Along With Abscicon and Issol (occasionally) and as Such Is One of the Principal Venues for Disseminating Recent Findings in Astrobiology. the Gordon Conference Is by Design Much Smaller Than Abscicon and Issol and Focuses on the Presentation of New and Unpublished Research in Both Talk and Poster Form. the Origins of Life Gordon Conference Has Been Going Since 1982 and Has Spawned Many Collaborations Hosted Several Nobel Laureates and Featured Multiple Debates in the Field. in 2018 Several Nasa Researchers and Exobiology-funded Pis Are Scheduled to Present and Key Nasa Missions Including Osiris-rex Will Be Able to Share Their Findings and Mission Plans as the Keynote Talk With the Astrobiology Community. the Subject Theme This Year Is "from Milieu to Evolution" and Covers Nasa-relevant Subjects Such as the Transition of Prebiotic Chemistry to the Origin of Life the Organic Inventory of the Early Earth Including by Delivery of Extraterrestrial Material and the Formation of Habitable Planets All of Which Are Goals Stated in the Nasa Astrobiology Roadmap. the Conference Chair Is Matthew Pasek and the Vice-chair Is Nicolle Zellner Who Will Be Chair in 2020. This Conference Meeting Is Preceded by the Gordon Research Seminar Which Brings Grad Students Postdocs and Young Researchers to the Meeting Where They Can Present and Discuss With Colleagues in a Low-stress Environment and Build a Cohort Prior to the Main Week-long Meeting. the Gordon Seminar Attendees Will Also Serve as Discussion Leaders and a Few Will Also Be Selected as Presenters for a Special Thursday Night Session Connecting the Two Meetings So That Young Scientists May Join and Discuss Findings With Their Senior Peers. the Seminar Is Led by Chairs Aaron Engelhart and Bruce Damer. the Subjects Covered at This Conference Include Meteorites and the Origin of Life Prebiotic Environments Prebiotic Assembly Phosphorus and Prebiotic Chemistry and Habitable Worlds Among Others. the Meeting Presenters Are a Diverse Lot With Over a Third Coming From Foreign Countries and With a Range of Seniority and Familiarity With the Astrobiology Field. Notably a Majority of the Planned Speakers Are Female a First for This Gordon Conference. Support of This Conference Will Be Used for Young Scientists to Attend the GRS and GRC Covering Registration and Travel When Possible. Currently Elsi Templeton and Life Journal Have Offered Support for the Conference and We Anticipate Supporting About Fifty to Sixty Attendees at Least Partially.