Dr. Dimitar Sasselov

Biography

Professor Dimitar Sasselov is a leading astrophysicist whose work focuses on the interaction of light and matter, specifically in the fields of radiative transfer, stars, and exoplanets. He is the director of the Harvard Origins of Life Initiative, an interdisciplinary institute that combines the expertise of biologists, chemists, and astronomers to explore the origins of life on Earth and potentially other planets. He manages a photochemistry lab where he conducts research into the building blocks of life, employing photochemical and photodynamic experiments to better understand how life originated. His research interests also encompass astrobiology, seeking to understand the fundamental mechanisms that may lead to the emergence of life in various environments.

Research Interests