In Memoriam: Dr. Marilyn Fogel

The astrobiology community has lost one of its best. Marilyn Fogel, a highly influential researcher and mentor, succumbed to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, on May 11, 2022, leaving behind an unmatched legacy of research, community service, and mentoring. The vast impact and breadth of Marilyn’s research are difficult to quantify, spanning across Earth history, climate, nutrient cycling, terrestrial ecosystems, astrobiology, marine sciences, microbial ecology, environmental sciences, and paleoecology—among many other themes. Her interest in life detection on other planetary bodies began in the late 1990s, building on decades of path-defining research in isotope geochemistry.

Read the full article about this incredible pioneer of astrobiology, written by Andrew Steele, Jennifer Eigenbrode, and Tim Lyons, on the NASA astrobiology website. The authors also invite all members of the astrobiology community to share their memories of Marilyn. Please email the NASA Astrobiology Program at the above link with the subject line “Memories of Marilyn”.