Hi, my name is Maria Kalambokidis and I'm the teaching assistant
for the Origin of Life course at Santa Fe Institute.
My background is in biology with an emphasis on astrobiology
and I'm broadly interested in the processes that led to the diversity
and complexity of life on Earth.
As well as the possibility of life emerging elsewhere.
My past research includes studying the habitability of exoplanets,
looking at meltwater ponds from Antarctica, and
I'm currently working at the National Autonomous University in Mexico City
studying microbial mats from the Chihuahuan Desert.
I've really enjoyed helping to develop this course
and I'm really excited for all of the discussions and questions that will arise
as the summer progresses.
I hope you enjoy the course!