Andrew Steele
Astrobiologist
NASA
Washington, DC USA
“Your life is a gift. No one has the right to tell you how to use that gift. And no one has the right to try and place you into a mold or into a position that they see right for you.”
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Milestones
My road in life has been direct.
He doesn't consider his job a "job"; calls it his "hobby," something he loves to do and think about.
Had been doing high-powered imaging of bacteria while working on his Ph.D.
Saw NASA's images of what they claimed were traces of bacteria on a meteorite from Mars.
Tracked down the names of the scientists on the project, swore he could give them better microscopic images.
They sent him a piece of the meteorite, he followed through on his claim, and they offered him a job.
Big proponent of "fake it 'til you make it" - dealt with NASA as "Dr. Steele," had only had his Ph.D. for three weeks.
Never dreamed he'd be working for NASA or "changing the world"; he just always liked what he studied.
Stresses our great gift is life; we're all made up of "exploding stardust," and you had a "ridiculously" low probability of being human, of being you.
Education
High School
Bachelor
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Central Lancashire, England
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Central Lancashire, England
Graduate
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Portsmouth, England
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Portsmouth, England
Career
Astrobiologist
I search for microbial life in astrobiology and solar system exploration.
Career Roadmap
My work combines:
My work combines:
Science
Technology
Problem Solving
Interviewed By
