ORIGIM · Organic's genesis on Mars

What is the origin of the organic molecules recently found on Mars? And the organics and dark rims of iron and phosphorus recently found by Perseverance? Could they have a biological origin? Are we closer to finding life beyond the Earth? These challenging questions form the basis of the ORganIc GenesIs on Mars (ORIGIM) project. Inspired by the exciting and recent discoveries of organic compounds and phosphorus on Mars and asteroids Benu and Ryugu, ORIGIM aims to constrain the geological and biological processes behind the different mineral and chemical signatures detected, which may hold the key to understanding the possibility of life beyond our planet.The ORIGIM project is interdisciplinary research between the NASA Goddard Space Flight Centre (GSFC, USA) and the Centre for Astrobiology (CAB, Spain). Fieldwork, geochemical and cosmochemical simulations, and real-time monitoring of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory and Mars2020 missions will involve leading biologists, geologists, chemists, physicists and engineers. ORIGIM aligns with the growing interest in detecting life beyond Earth, led by NASA and JAXA (Japan), and the upcoming ESA ExoMars and NASA-ESA Mars Sample Return (MSR) missions, which will position the European Union prominently in the space exploration arena. The ORIGIM project is timely and novel, as it will contribute to the challenging task of identifying biological vs non-biological signatures in extraterrestrial materials, ultimately addressing the long-standing question of whether life has ever existed beyond Earth. Dr. Cañadas will lead the project with a strong focus on international and interdisciplinary collaboration. The fellowship provides a unique opportunity for her to develop leadership skills in dynamic scientific environments, enhancing her geochemical expertise with new methodologies and personal growth. This will position her as a highly visible and independent EU scientist in the rapidly expanding field of Astrobiology