Dr. Jason P Dworkin

Photo of JASON DWORKIN

Dr. Jason P Dworkin

  • Chief, Astrochemistry Laboratory
  • 301.286.8631 | 301.286.1683
  • Org Code: 691
  • NASA/GSFC
  • Mail Code: 691
  • Greenbelt, MD 20771
  • Employer: NASA
  • Brief Bio

    Jason Dworkin is responsible for the research direction of the Astrobiology Analytical Laboratory. Since arriving at Goddard in 2002 he has worked to purchase and maintain the equipment in the lab and ensure that all who work there maximize their research efforts while maintaining relevance to Astrobiology and NASA.

    Research Interests

    Current Projects

    OSIRIS-REx

    Goddard Center for Astrobiology

    NASA Cosmochemistry Program

    NASA Exobiology Program

    Sample Analysis at Mars

    Positions/Employment

    Intern 1985 - 1987
    Department of Biochemical and Biophysical Sciences & Biology, University of Houston, Houston, TX
    Pre-doctoral fellow 1991 - 1997
    NASA Specialized Center of Research and Training (NSCORT) Exobiology, San Diego, CA
    Research Scientist 1997 - 2002
    SETI Institute: Center for the Study of Life in the Universe/NASA's Ames Research Center: Astrochemistry Lab, Mountain View, CA
    Research Scientist 2002 - 2008
    NASA, Greenbelt, MD
    Supervisory Research Scientist 2008 - Present
    NASA, Greenbelt, MD
    Project Scientist for OSIRIS-REx 7/2011 - Present
    NASA, GSFC

    Education

    1991 - A.B. (Biochemistry, with Distinction) Occidental College
    1997 - Ph.D. (Biochemistry) University of California, San Diego (UCSD)
    Dissertation "Alternatives to Uracil in the Pre-RNA World."

    Professional Societies

    Meteoritical Society, 2010- Present
    International Society for the Study of the Origins of Live, 1993- Present
    American Chemistry Society, 1991- Present
    Alpha Chi Sigma, 1988- Present

    Professional Service

    Awards

    • Robert H. Goddard Leadership Award (2009)
    • NASA GSFC Internal Research and Development Innovator of the Year (Team) Awards (2007, 2009)
    • Goddard Group Achievement Award (2007)
    • Goddard Exceptional Achievement Award (Individual) (2007)
    • NASA Group Achievement Award (2002, 2011)
    • NSCORT Exobiology Adjunct Fellow (1996-1997)
    • NSCORT Exobiology Pre-doctoral Fellow (1992-1996)
    • Merck Award for Best Graduating Biochemistry Major, Occidental College (1991)

    Brief Bio

    Jason Dworkin is responsible for the research direction of the Astrobiology Analytical Laboratory. Since arriving at Goddard in 2002 he has worked to purchase and maintain the equipment in the lab and ensure that all who work there maximize their research efforts while maintaining relevance to Astrobiology and NASA.

                                                                                                                                                                                            
    NASA Logo, National Aeronautics and Space Administration