2026 LIFE RCN Seminar Series Episode 3: Dr. Caleb Scharf

Wednesday, March 11th, 8AM PT/11AM ET

Caleb Scharf is an astrobiologist whose research explores the formation, evolution, and habitability of planets, with particular emphasis on the origins and persistence of life. He is the Senior Scientist for Astrobiology at NASA Ames Research Center, advancing interdisciplinary efforts at the interface of astronomy, planetary science, and biology. His scholarship investigates how physical and chemical processes shape planetary systems and constrain the emergence and evolution of life. In parallel, Scharf contributes to broader scientific discourse through widely recognized academic and public writing on astrobiology, evolution, and the future of life in the universe. His work advances a systems-level perspective on life as a planetary and cosmic phenomenon, aligning closely with core themes of the NASA Astrobiology program.

Featured Book — The Giant Leap

In The Giant Leap: Why Space Is the Next Frontier in the Evolution of Life, Scharf examines human space exploration through the framework of evolutionary transitions and planetary-scale processes. The book argues that the expansion of technological life beyond Earth represents a continuation of life’s long-term evolutionary trajectory, shaped by both biological and environmental constraints. Drawing on principles from astrobiology, evolutionary biology, and planetary science, Scharf situates humanity’s emergence within a broader continuum of life–environment interactions. He explores how technological systems may function as extensions of biological processes, enabling life to persist and propagate beyond its planet of origin. This perspective provides a rigorous and interdisciplinary foundation for understanding space exploration as a natural extension of life’s evolution.

Website: https://www.calebscharf.com

You can attend the meeting here: https://cuboulder.zoom.us/j/96506145424