Professor Sara Seager, a Canadian-American astrophysicist and planetary scientist, finds inspiration in the vastness of space. Currently the Class of 1941 Professor of Planetary Science, Professor of Physics, and Professor of Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Seager pioneered numerous techniques for characterizing exoplanets, revolutionizing our ability to understand these distant worlds. From her pivotal roles in space missions such as the MIT-led NASA Explorer-class TESS and her CubeSat ASTERIA, to her leadership in conceptualizing astrobiology-focused missions to Venus, Seager’s innovative approaches have garnered global recognition, including a MacArthur Fellowship, the 2024 Kavli Prize in Astrophysics, appointment as an Officer of the Order of Canada, and has asteroid 9729 named in her honor. Beyond her scientific endeavors, she shares her journey in ‘The Smallest Lights in the Universe: A Memoir,’ offering a glimpse into the human side of scientific exploration.
