Supervisor: Sergio Ioppolo

Embark on a cosmic odyssey as we unravel the mysteries of life's origins in the depths of the universe. Join me in this colloquium, where we will explore "Cosmic Chemistry: Glycine and the Quest for Life Beyond Earth.".

In this colloquium, we will navigate the cosmic cradle, shedding light on the intricate processes that lead to the synthesis of celestial amino acids through a complex net of chemical reactions occurring on the surface of interstellar ice grains in dense molecular clouds. Rather than seeking life as an endpoint, we will focus on understanding pre-bioactivity and the unfolding of life's origins throughout the process of star formation. Let's delve into the scientific nuances of our exploration of the formation and destruction pathways of complex organic molecules (COMs) in the interstellar medium.

Since our journey extends beyond Earth's boundaries, we will focus on spaceborne missions like JWST and Rosetta. The JWST has not only recently detected ice in the coldest corners of the universe but also hints at the potential presence of COMs on ice grains.