The Extra-Terrestrial Chemist

Visit https://www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast/ to access the extended video version of this episode and the guest content sheet, which contains links to recent publications and additional content recommendations for our guest. You can also access the extended video version of this episode via our YouTube channel to hear, and see, more of the conversation!

Visit https://thermofisher.com/bctl and use the codes below to register for your free Bringing Chemistry to Life T-shirt (April = BCTLshirt, May = Scienc3Fwd). 

Among the various chemical disciplines we have discussed so far, astrochemistry is by far the most surprising. And Chris Shingledecker is a surprisingly charming member of this relatively new and growing scientific niche. He’s managed to naturally balance his passions for chemistry, born from a chemical set received as a gift in his childhood, and for astronomy, that grew in him during middle school. This is a great story of someone who took his education and professional path in his own hands and gave it the shape he wanted to follow his interests and passions. 

Chris is now living the excitement of a new science. So many things to understand and explain given such fast progress in the field. We learn about what a young discipline astrochemistry is, where until three or four decades ago it was thought chemistry could not occur in outer space, and hear how Chis and his colleagues are quickly showing that chemistry beyond the boundaries of planet Earth is in fact extremely rich, diverse, and complex. 

This is a fascinating discussion about the story and the future of astrochemistry, a jump into new ideas about the origins of life on our planet and hypothetical other worlds. 

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us!