Tiny microorganisms here on Earth could provide clues for how life started on our planet, and what it could look like in other areas of the universe.
During this hour-long, interactive webinar, we will hear from two experts studying extremophiles and furthering our understanding of their unique adaptations.
She has over a hundred scientific publications, two TED talks, is a Sloan Research Fellow, Nasa Early Career Fellow, and Simons Early Career Fellow.
She is the author of Intraterrestrials: discovering the strangest life on Earth, which won a PROSE Award and was longlisted for the PEN EO Wilson Literary Award.
Her work has been recognised through numerous awards, such as Forbes 30 Under 30 and Top 100 Women in Aerospace and Aviation.
Join us on 30 July to learn how some of the tiniest organisms thrive in the harshest environments
Event details and registration
30 July 2026, 16.00 – 17.00 BST Register now
It’s hard to imagine what life forms could be out beyond the confines of our Milky Way. Images of green humanoid organisms or tentacled beasts come to mind, but the reality may be much smaller than we imagine. Tiny microorganisms here on Earth could provide clues for how life started on our planet, and what it could look like in other areas of the universe.
Extremophiles are organisms that can survive in unimaginably hostile environments. From the deepest ocean depths to the peaks of the highest mountains, or deep in the arctic chill to the intense heats of our planet’s volcanoes, the microscopic world is filled with unique adaptations that foster life in otherwise uninhabitable places.
During this hour-long, interactive webinar, we will hear from two experts studying extremophiles and furthering our understanding of their unique adaptations. We will cover topics including:
How low-energy, life-sustaining environments here on Earth could mimic conditions on other planets
A new class of ‘time-loving’ microbes that could be considered to be a unique class of extremophile
An introduction to the field of astrobiology, and how extremophiles are informing this unique discipline
Karen G Lloyd Karen G Lloyd is the Wrigley professor of earth sciences, and marine and environmental biology at the University of Southern California, US. Her work discovers strange types of microbial life deeply buried inside Earth’s crust, taking her on adventures to the deep sea, volcanoes, Arctic fjords, deep gold mines and ancient permafrost. She has over a hundred scientific publications, two TED talks, is a Sloan Research Fellow, Nasa Early Career Fellow, and Simons Early Career Fellow. She is the author of Intraterrestrials: discovering the strangest life on Earth, which won a PROSE Award and was longlisted for the PEN EO Wilson Literary Award. Michaela Musilova Michaela Musilova is an award-winning astrobiologist, explorer, professional speaker and author. She has been conducting space-related research at institutions around the world, including Nasa, Esa, CalTech, Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope and many others. She was the commander of over 30 simulated missions to the Moon and Mars – the most missions led to date. She is the president and founder of the non-profit XtremeFrontiers, through which she performs scientific research, educational and outreach activities on all continents. Her work has been recognised through numerous awards, such as Forbes 30 Under 30 and Top 100 Women in Aerospace and Aviation.
Event details and registration
30 July 2026, 16.00 – 17.00 BST Register now
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