Dr. Ben K. D. Pearce joins the College of Science Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science Department
12-19-2024
The College of Science EAPS Department welcomes Dr. Ben K. D. Pearce to the faculty in the fall of 2024. Dr. Pearce’s research investigates the chemical processes that give rise to life on planets.
“We explore the chemistry that leads to life on planetary bodies, with a focus on early Earth, Titan, and habitable exoplanets,” says Dr. Pearce. “Our tools are a novel experimental setup called SPAARK that mimics various planetary conditions, a liquid chromatography Orbitrap mass spectrometer that allows us to determine the biomolecules produced in our experiments, and various theoretical models to help guide the way.”
Dr. Pearce will be teaching Astrobiology, Applied Planetary Science, as well as The Origins of Life. “Purdue offered me my dream job! I get to research what I'm passionate about in a great work environment, surrounded by a supportive and diverse community,” says Dr. Pearce.
His graduate training was in astrophysics at McMaster University in Ontario, Canada. He also completed a three-year postdoc at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where he worked in a lab that experimentally produced organic haze similar to what is seen in Titan's atmosphere.
Dr. Pearce is a Canada native from Calgary, Alberta. He says the area is next to the Rocky Mountains and resembles Denver, Colorado.
While Dr. Pearce is out and about, he is “big into rock climbing and powerlifting,” he says. He loves to trail run and meditate every day. He finds that keeping his body moving and mindful meditation helps ease any anxiety! “I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Purdue faculty and community,” says Dr. Pearce.
About the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences at Purdue University
The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences (EAPS) combines four of Purdue’s most interdisciplinary programs: Geology & Geophysics, Environmental Sciences, Atmospheric Sciences, and Planetary Sciences. EAPS conducts world-class research, educates undergraduate and graduate students, and provides our college, university, state and country with the information necessary to understand the world and universe around us. Our research is globally recognized, our students are highly valued by graduate schools, employers, and our alumni continue to make significant contributions in academia, industry, and federal and state government.
Written by: David Siple, Communications Specialist for the Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Science Department at Purdue University