Our Roy Chapman Andrews Society
Distinguished Explorer 2023
Dr. Sarah Stewart Johnson
American biologist, geochemist, astronomer, and planetary scientist.
Principal investigator, Johnson Biosignatures Lab, Georgetown University
Award presentation and keynote lecture
Free event will be held in-person.
Friday, April 14, 2023
4:30 p.m. CT
Beloit Public Library
605 Eclipse Center
The DEA lecture will be livestreamed on
Followed by the fund-raising celebratory dinner at the Beloit Club.
Keynote Lecture:
“Contending with the Truly Alien”
Dr. Johnson is the Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor of Planetary Science at Georgetown University and a visiting scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
She holds a B.A. in mathematics and environmental studies from Washington University in St. Louis, a second B.A. in philosophy, politics, and economics and M.Sc. in biology from Oxford University, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar, and a Ph.D. in planetary science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Prior to joining the Georgetown faculty, she was a Junior Fellow in the Harvard Society of Fellows. Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on understanding the presence and preservation of biosignatures within planetary environments. She is also involved in planetary exploration, analyzing data from current spacecraft, and devising new techniques for future missions.
Some of her recent projects include searching for signs of habitability on Mars with the Curiosity Rover, studying the limits of life in Antarctica, assessing how biology affects patterns of mineralization in Mars analog environments, and helping to develop sequencing as a tool for spaceflight.
A virtual presentation to area schools:
Thursday April 20, 9:30 am CST
“The Search for Life on Mars”
Award presentation and keynote lecture
“Contending with the Truly Alien”
Free event will be held in-person.
Friday, April 14, 2023
4:30 p.m. CT
Beloit Public Library
605 Eclipse Center
Followed by the fund-raising celebratory dinner at the Beloit Club
Dr. Johnson is the Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor of Planetary Science at Georgetown University and a visiting scientist at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center.
She holds a B.A. in mathematics and environmental studies from Washington University in St. Louis, a second B.A. in philosophy, politics, and economics and M.Sc. in biology from Oxford University, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar, and a Ph.D. in planetary science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Prior to joining the Georgetown faculty, she was a Junior Fellow in the Harvard Society of Fellows. Dr. Johnson’s research focuses on understanding the presence and preservation of biosignatures within planetary environments. She is also involved in planetary exploration, analyzing data from current spacecraft, and devising new techniques for future missions.
Some of her recent projects include searching for signs of habitability on Mars with the Curiosity Rover, studying the limits of life in Antarctica, assessing how biology affects patterns of mineralization in Mars analog environments, and helping to develop sequencing as a tool for spaceflight.
A virtual presentation to area schools:
Thursday April 20, 9:30 am CST
“The Search for Life on Mars”
In order to ensure capacity, a Zoom link will be required and can be reserved by email to ruth@roychapmanandrewssociety.org
Celebratory Fund-raising Dinner:
Immediately following the free Acceptance Lecture above,
Beloit Club
2327 S. Riverside Dr.
Beloit WI 53511
Reception Dinner
A celebratory reception and dinner honoring Sarah Stewart Johnson will be held immediately following the acceptance lecture.
6:30 p.m. reception
7:00 p.m. dinner
Reservations are required and deadline is March 31 (ABSOLUTE)
This is a popular event and is known to sell out. Advance reservations and tickets are required for this event.
Reservation Options
- Members – $70/person
- Non-members – $80/person
- Corporate tables of 8: $560
Dinner Options
- 8 oz. New York Strip drizzled with red wine jus and served with mashed potatoes.
- 6 oz. Chicken Picatta served with garlic mashed potatoes and a cream caper sauce (gluten free)
- Gemelli pasta with asparagus and summer squash tossed in a sun-dried tomato Alfredo sauce and topped with Parmesan cheese.
All are Served with veg du chef, assorted roll basket, salad selection, Chef’s seasonal dessert selection, coffee and tea service.
Take advantage of membership pricing and benefits.
Join or renew first.
Questions: ruth@roychapmanandrewssociety.org
Print & Mail Option
– Reservations and payment must be received by March 31st, ABSOLUTE.
– Check and mail info on the PDF.
Celebratory Fund-raising Dinner:
Immediately following the free Acceptance Lecture above,
Beloit Club
2327 S. Riverside Dr.
Beloit WI 53511
Dinner Reservations
Advanced reservations required.
Deadline is March 31st.
The Roy Chapman Andrews Society is a 501(c)(3) organization. To comply with the IRS requirements regarding charitable donations for contributions/donations in excess of any value of property or services, your payment is considered a tax-deductible donation.
Print & Mail Option
– Reservations and payment must be received by March 31st, ABSOLUTE.
– Check and mail info on the PDF linked below.
Positions / Education / Honors
CURRENT POSITIONS
- Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor, Department of Biology/Science, Technology, and International Affairs Program, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 2021 – present (Associate Prof. of Planetary Science, 2020-2021; Assistant Prof. of Planetary Science, 2014-2020)
- Visiting Scientist, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, Code 699/Planetary Environments Laboratory, Greenbelt, MD, 2016 – present
- NASA Mars Science Laboratory Mission Science Team/Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on the Curiosity Rover, 2016 – present
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. in Planetary Science, MIT, May 2008
- M.Sc. in Biology, University of Oxford, September 2005
- 2nd B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University of Oxford, June 2003
- B.A. in Mathematics and Environmental Studies, Washington University in St. Louis, May 2001
SELECTED HONORS
- Athelstan Spilhaus Award and Carl Sagan Lecture, AGU, 2022
- Department of Biology Outstanding Mentor Award, 2021
- Whiting Award, 2021
- SFS Excellence in Mentoring Award, 2019
- Article of the Year, Journal of Biomolecular Techniques, 2018
- NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars Science Laboratory Extended Mission, 2017
- White House Fellow, 2009
- Dwornik Prize, 2007
- National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, 2004
- Rhodes Scholarship, 2001
Available at the award presentation
An opportunity to purchase a signed copy!
“Sarah Stewart Johnson interweaves her own coming-of-age story as a planetary scientist with a vivid history of the exploration of Mars in this celebration of human curiosity, passion, and perseverance.” — Alan Lightman, author of Einstein’s Dreams
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review – Times (UK) – Library Journal
“Lovely… Johnson’s prose swirls with lyrical wonder, as varied and multi-hued as the apricot deserts, butterscotch skies and blue sunsets of Mars.” — Anthony Doerr, The New York Times Book Review
Mars was once similar to Earth, but today there are no rivers, no lakes, no oceans. Coated in red dust, the terrain is bewilderingly empty. And yet multiple spacecraft are circling Mars, sweeping over Terra Sabaea, Syrtis Major, the dunes of Elysium, and Mare Sirenum — on the brink, perhaps, of a staggering find, one that would inspire humankind as much as any discovery in the history of modern science.
In this beautifully observed, deeply personal book, Georgetown scientist Sarah Stewart Johnson tells the story of how she and other researchers have scoured Mars for signs of life, transforming the planet from a distant point of light into a world of its own.
Positions / Education / Honors
CURRENT POSITIONS
- Provost’s Distinguished Associate Professor, Department of Biology/Science, Technology, and International Affairs Program, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, 2021 – present (Associate Prof. of Planetary Science, 2020-2021; Assistant Prof. of Planetary Science, 2014-2020)
- Visiting Scientist, NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center, Code 699/Planetary Environments Laboratory, Greenbelt, MD, 2016 – present
- NASA Mars Science Laboratory Mission Science Team/Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) instrument on the Curiosity Rover, 2016 – present
EDUCATION
- Ph.D. in Planetary Science, MIT, May 2008
- M.Sc. in Biology, University of Oxford, September 2005
- 2nd B.A. in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, University of Oxford, June 2003
- B.A. in Mathematics and Environmental Studies, Washington University in St. Louis, May 2001
SELECTED HONORS
- Athelstan Spilhaus Award and Carl Sagan Lecture, AGU, 2022
- Department of Biology Outstanding Mentor Award, 2021
- Whiting Award, 2021
- SFS Excellence in Mentoring Award, 2019
- Article of the Year, Journal of Biomolecular Techniques, 2018
- NASA Group Achievement Award, Mars Science Laboratory Extended Mission, 2017
- White House Fellow, 2009
- Dwornik Prize, 2007
- National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship, 2004
- Rhodes Scholarship, 2001
Available at the award presentation
An opportunity to purchase a signed copy!
“Sarah Stewart Johnson interweaves her own coming-of-age story as a planetary scientist with a vivid history of the exploration of Mars in this celebration of human curiosity, passion, and perseverance.” — Alan Lightman, author of Einstein’s Dreams
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY The New York Times Book Review – Times (UK) – Library Journal
“Lovely… Johnson’s prose swirls with lyrical wonder, as varied and multi-hued as the apricot deserts, butterscotch skies and blue sunsets of Mars.” — Anthony Doerr, The New York Times Book Review
Mars was once similar to Earth, but today there are no rivers, no lakes, no oceans. Coated in red dust, the terrain is bewilderingly empty. And yet multiple spacecraft are circling Mars, sweeping over Terra Sabaea, Syrtis Major, the dunes of Elysium, and Mare Sirenum — on the brink, perhaps, of a staggering find, one that would inspire humankind as much as any discovery in the history of modern science.
In this beautifully observed, deeply personal book, Georgetown scientist Sarah Stewart Johnson tells the story of how she and other researchers have scoured Mars for signs of life, transforming the planet from a distant point of light into a world of its own.
Special thanks to these 2023 Roy Chapman Andrews Society Sponsors
Larry & Karen Arft
Michael & Kathy Egan
Amy Lokrantz
Jeff & Linda Perrigo
Steve Vavrus & Susan Swanson
Tom & Mim Warren
John & Becky Wong
Special thanks to these 2023 Roy Chapman Andrews Society Sponsors
Larry & Karen Arft
Michael & Kathy Egan
Amy Lokrantz
Jeff & Linda Perrigo
Steve Vavrus & Susan Swanson
Tom & Mim Warren
John & Becky Wong
Patron Sponsors
Sara Appelbee
Larry & Karen Arft
Robert Atwater
Ann Bausum
Carol Mankiewicz & Carl Mendelson
Lonnie Carrier
Joe & Ingrid Chamberlain
Jo & Scott Christofferson
Nancy Clark-Mather
Kelly Cluer
Annabelle Collins
Philip Currie
Gary & Vicki Dencker
Rick Dexter
John & Michele Erikson
Shannon Fie
Matt & Anne Forbeck
Jane E. Fossum Fossum
Jamison & Sherry Geiger
Charles & Prudy Harker
Tom & Marline Holmes
Steven & Mary Howland
Jim & Donna Spude
Eva Koppelhus
Curt & Barb Lansbery
Tom & Aara Lasse
Steve Lekson
Bill Green Linda Forman
Elizabeth Magnus
Bill Mathis
Frank & Jean Marie McKearn
Jeannie & Jim Rippl
Joe & Dawn Stadelman
Jerry & Connie Sveum
Gail Taylor
Gene & Connie Van Galder
Frances Vavrus
Tom & Mim Warren
Paul & Fern Wheeless
Patron Sponsors
Sara Appelbee
Larry & Karen Arft
Robert Atwater
Ann Bausum
Carol Mankiewicz & Carl Mendelson
Lonnie Carrier
Joe & Ingrid Chamberlain
Jo & Scott Christofferson
Nancy Clark-Mather
Kelly Cluer
Annabelle Collins
Philip Currie
Gary & Vicki Dencker
Rick Dexter
John & Michele Erikson
Shannon Fie
Matt & Anne Forbeck
Jane E. Fossum Fossum
Jamison & Sherry Geiger
Charles & Prudy Harker
Tom & Marline Holmes
Steven & Mary Howland
Jim & Donna Spude
Eva Koppelhus
Curt & Barb Lansbery
Tom & Aara Lasse
Steve Lekson
Bill Green Linda Forman
Elizabeth Magnus
Bill Mathis
Frank & Jean Marie McKearn
Jeannie & Jim Rippl
Joe & Dawn Stadelman
Jerry & Connie Sveum
Gail Taylor
Gene & Connie Van Galder
Frances Vavrus
Tom & Mim Warren
Paul & Fern Wheeless