Benjamin Hayworth

PhD Geoscience & Astrobiology (2022) - Penn State

BS Physics & Philosophy (2017) - University of Nebraska

Adjunct Professor at Aurora University (Chicago, IL)                                                         Jan. - July 2021

• Led several sections of asynchronous and synchronous online-courses in the physical sciences.
• Developed curriculum to transition in-person courses to an online format during COVID. 

Visiting Scholar at the University of Chicago                                                               Jun. 2019 - Present

• Collaborated on a team of 9 UChicago and NASA scientists to develop a statistical framework exploring life detection on Earth-like planets
• Resulted in 1 co-authored paper published in the high-impact Astronomical Journal

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at the Pennsylvania State University        Jun. 2017 - Present

• Developed simple and complex atmospheric models to study Martian paleo-climate, the longterm habitability of waterworlds, and the effects of space weather on the origin of life
• Published a total of 6 peer-reviewed papers (3 first-author ones) in high-impact journals that were cited 26 times
• Conducted 2 invited hour-long seminars, including one at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
• Presented my work at 7 major conferences, including a talk at the University of Oxford
• Led classes of 20-1000 students in subjects such as earth science and oceanography, both in person and remote. 
• Developed course curriculum for a large, asynchronous course with over 1000 students. 
• Supervised 2 undergraduate astrophysics and geobiology students in their thesis work

Pennsylvania State University (State College, PA): Ph.D., Geosciences and Astrobiology                      2022

• Thesis: “Space Weather Can Trigger the Origin of Life on Habitable Zone Planets” 
• Received 3 awards: FEGR Top-Up Incentive Award from NASA Ames, Krynine Travel Award, NExSS Habitable Worlds Workshop Travel Award from NASA Ames

University of Nebraska at Omaha (Omaha, NE): B.S., Physics and Philosophy                                        2017

• Graduated Magna Cum Laude and from the Honors Society
• Received 5 awards and scholarships: Goodrich Scholarship, Cedarbloom Scholarship, FUSE Grant, 2 Outstanding Undergraduate Major Awards in Physics and Philosophy