Zachary Garvin
Assistant Professor of the Practice
Zachary (Zack) Garvin is an Assistant Professor of the Practice in Space Studies within the Science, Technology, and International Affairs (STIA) program. He is an Astrobiologist and Planetary Scientist, currently focused on preparing life-detection capabilities for future planetary missions. He is a member of the MOMA science team for the upcoming ESA ExoMars Rosalind Franklin Rover.
Garvin studied Microbiology and Organic Geochemistry at Brown University and received his Ph.D. in Geomicrobiology from Princeton University. His research combines techniques from analytical chemistry, traditional microbiology, and metagenomics to study microorganisms living in "extreme" terrestrial environments and the strategies life might employ to survive under the challenging conditions on Mars and beyond. His work has brought him to some of the most unique environments on Earth, from 3.2 km below the Earth's surface in South African gold mines to 4.8 km above sea level in the Atacama Desert and Chilean Andes.
At Georgetown, Garvin is active in building the Space Studies program and serves as Coordinating Professor for the gateway course, Foundations of Space Studies. He is also a member of the Johnson Biosignatures Lab.