McGill
Main Header ImageMain Header ImageMain Header Image

Investigators

Astrobiology by its very nature requires highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research approaches containing elements of geology, chemistry, physics, astronomy, microbiology, and robotics. Thus. a broad-based, integrative multidisciplinary training program envisioned by CATP must have two fundamental assets to succeed – a research team with wide-ranging scientific interests and the research resources to permit the training. The CATP has both in abundance.

CATP will be offered by leading scientists from 2 of the major nodes of astrobiology and planetary research in Canada: Quebec (McGill) and Ontario (UWO, McMaster, University of Toronto) as well the U. Winnipeg. CATP members possess a wide range of expertise and are currently performing astrobiology research at the a large number of Canadian analogue sites and have established collaborations with leading scientists at international agencies, including NASA and ESA.

CATP researchers represent a critical mass and breadth of scientific expertise encompassing the 4 thematic domains and are highly complementary. All possess established records of research achievements and prior training success.

The CATP Investigators, Institutes, and Expertises are as follows:

Principal Investigator:

Dr. Lyle Whyte McGill University Cryomicrobiology

Co - Investigators

McGill University

Dr. J. Nadeau Biophysics
Dr. W. Pollard Cryogeomorphology
Dr. H. Vali Biosignatures
Dr. B. Wing Precambrian biogeochemistry, Stable isotopes

McMaster University

Dr. R. Pudritz Astrophysics, Exoplanets
Dr. G. Slater Isotope biogeochemistry, Extremophiles

University of Toronto

Dr. B. Sherwood Lollar Methane Biosignatures, Stable Isotope Geochemistry

University of Western Ontario

Dr. N. Banerjee Biosignatures, Stable isotope biogeochemistry
Dr. G. Osinski Mars Habitats, polar analogues

University of Winnipeg

Dr. E. Cloutis Planetary Spectroscopy