Professor Sara Seager is a preeminent Canadian-American astrophysicist and planetary scientist whose pioneering work has revolutionized the field of exoplanet research. She currently holds the prestigious Class of 1941 Professor chair at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where she maintains triple appointments as Professor of Physics, Professor of Planetary Science, and Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Born in Toronto, Canada in 1971, she earned her BSc in mathematics and physics from the University of Toronto before completing her PhD in astronomy at Harvard University in 1999. Her distinguished academic career includes postdoctoral research at the Institute for Advanced Study, senior research positions at the Carnegie Institution of Washington, and rapid advancement at MIT where she achieved tenure within six months of joining and became a full professor by 2010.
Professor Seager's groundbreaking theoretical work established the foundation for the entire field of exoplanet atmosphere characterization, developing models that enabled the first detection of an exoplanet atmosphere using the Hubble Space Telescope. Her comprehensive framework for interpreting planetary transit observations includes critical parameters for calculating planet density and detecting potential biosignature gases, transforming exoplanet research from a speculative endeavor into a rigorous scientific discipline. As a visionary theorist, she pioneered the concept that exoplanet atmospheric composition could be discerned during eclipses when stellar and planetary light signatures are most distinguishable, leading to transformative observational techniques now standard in the field. Her influential textbooks on exoplanets and their atmospheres have educated an entire generation of planetary scientists while her work continues to be celebrated by leading scientific publications including Nature and TIME Magazine for its paradigm-shifting impact.
As a leader in space exploration innovation, Professor Seager serves as Deputy Science Director for NASA's TESS mission while spearheading advanced mission concepts like the Starshade Rendezvous Mission for direct imaging of Earth-like planets. She pioneered the development of ExoplanetSat, a revolutionary fleet of nanosatellites that demonstrates a cost-effective paradigm for space science missions, and currently leads efforts investigating potential habitability in Venus's atmosphere. Recognized for her exceptional contributions with officer status in the Order of Canada and membership in the National Academy of Sciences, she continues to inspire the scientific community with her maxim that 'for exoplanets, anything is possible under the laws of physics and chemistry.' Her current research remains singularly focused on the profound quest to discover another Earth and identify unambiguous signs of life beyond our solar system.
