Dr. Eric Parker is an Astrochemist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. His areas of interest span the fields of analytical chemistry, astrochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, environmental chemistry, prebiotic chemistry, astrobiology, origins of life, and Earth sciences.
Applying liquid chromatography- and mass spectrometry-based analytical tecniques to analyze complex mixtures for biomolecules considered to be important for life. This includes analyzing extraterrestrial samples (e.g., meteorites and micrometeorites) and samples resulting from laboratory simulations of prebiotic environments. Molecules of interest in these studies include amino acids and peptides.
Ph.D., Chemistry - Georgia Institute of Technology
M.S., Earth System Science - University of California at Irvine
B.S., Environmental Chemistry - University of California at San Diego
2017
• American Chemical Society’s Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation in Astrochemistry
2016
• First Runner-Up, Suddath Memorial Award for Most Outstanding Graduate Student, Presented by Georgia Tech Parker H. Petit Institute for Bioengineering & Bioscience
2015
• Astrobiology Science Conference Grant
• Georgia Tech College of Sciences Graduate Research Award
• Georgia Tech Career, Research, and Innovation Scholarship
2014
• First Place, Research Talk Competition, Georgia Tech School of Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Student Research Symposium
• NASA Astrobiology Early Career Collaboration Award
• Center for Chemical Evolution (CCE) Service Award for Education, Outreach, and Diversity
• NASA Astrobiology Program Origins Grant
2013
• NASA Astrobiology Institute Nordic Scholar
• Georgia Tech Research and Innovation Fellowship
2012
• NASA Astrobiology Institute Santander Scholar
• NASA Planetary Biology Research Fellowship
2011
• NASA Astrobiology Institute Origins Grant
2007
• UCSD Undergraduate Research Scholar
2006
• UCSD Physical Sciences William M. Hawkins, Jr. Award
• UCSD Physical Sciences Dean’s Undergraduate Award for Excellence
• California Water Environment Association Kirtland Brooks Scholarship
Aponte, J. C., J. E. Cook, J. E. Hein, et al. J. P. Dworkin, D. P. Glavin, H. L. Mclain, E. T. Parker, T. Cao, E. L. Berger, and A. S. Burton. 2020. "Analysis of amino acids, hydroxy acids, and amines in CR chondrites." Meteoritics & Planetary Science, [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13586]
Parker, E. T., M. Karki, D. P. Glavin, J. P. Dworkin, and R. Krishnamurthy. 2020. "A Sensitive Quantitative Analysis of Abiotically Synthesized Short Homopeptides using Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry." Journal of Chromatography A, 461509 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461509]
Glavin, D. P., H. L. McLain, J. P. Dworkin, et al. E. T. Parker, J. E. Elsila, J. C. Aponte, D. N. Simkus, C. I. Pozarycki, H. V. Graham, L. R. Nittler, and C. M. Alexander. 2020. "Abundant extraterrestrial amino acids in the primitive CM carbonaceous chondrite Asuka 12236." Meteoritics & Planetary Science, maps.13560 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13560]
Aponte, J. C., H. L. McLain, D. N. Simkus, et al. J. E. Elsila, D. P. Glavin, E. T. Parker, J. P. Dworkin, D. H. Hill, H. C. Connolly, and D. S. Lauretta. 2020. "Extraterrestrial organic compounds and cyanide in the CM2 carbonaceous chondrites Aguas Zarcas and Murchison." Meteoritics & Planetary Science, 55 (7): 1509-1524 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13531]
Glavin, D. P., J. E. Elsila, H. L. McLain, et al. J. C. Aponte, E. T. Parker, J. P. Dworkin, D. H. Hill, H. C. Connolly, and D. S. Lauretta. 2020. "Extraterrestrial amino acids and L-enantiomeric excesses in the CM2 carbonaceous chondrites Aguas Zarcas and Murchison." Meteoritics & Planetary Science, [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13451]
Simkus, D., J. C. Aponte, J. E. Elsila, et al. E. T. Parker, D. P. Glavin, and J. P. Dworkin. 2019. "Methodologies for Analyzing Soluble Organic Compounds in Extraterrestrial Samples: Amino Acids, Amines, Monocarboxylic Acids, Aldehydes, and Ketones." Life, 9 (47): 30 pages [Full Text (Link)] [10.3390/life9020047]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, J. L. Bada, and F. M. Fernández. 2016. "Quantitation of α-hydroxy acids in complex prebiotic mixtures via liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry." Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry, 30: 2043-2051 [10.1002/rcm.7684]
Cleaves, H. J., C. Neish, M. P. Callahan, et al. E. Parker, F. M. Fernández, and J. P. Dworkin. 2014. "Amino acids generated from hydrated Titan tholins: Comparison with Miller–Urey electric discharge products." Icarus, 237: 182-189 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1016/j.icarus.2014.04.042]
Parker, E. T., J. H. Cleaves, A. S. Burton, et al. D. P. Glavin, J. P. Dworkin, J. P. Zhou, J. L. Bada, and F. M. Fernández. 2014. "Conducting Miller-Urey Experiments." Journal of Visualized Experiments , 83: 1-13 [Full Text (Link)] [10.3791/51039 ]
Parker, E. T., M. Zhou, A. S. Burton, et al. D. P. Glavin, J. P. Dworkin, R. Krishnamurthy, F. M. Fernndez, and J. L. Bada. 2014. "A Plausible Simultaneous Synthesis of Amino Acids and Simple Peptides on the Primordial Earth." Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 53: 8132-81336 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1002/ange.201403683]
Liu, J., X. Zhang, E. T. Parker, et al. P. R. Veres, J. M. Roberts, J. A. de Gouw, P. L. Hayes, J. L. Jimenez, J. G. Murphy, R. A. Ellis, L. G. Huey, and R. J. Weber. 2012. "On the gas-particle partitioning of soluble organic aerosol in two urban atmospheres with contrasting emissions: 2. Gas and particle phase formic acid." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 117: [10.1029/2012jd017912]
Zhang, X., J. Liu, E. T. Parker, et al. P. L. Hayes, J. L. Jimenez, J. A. de Gouw, J. H. Flynn, N. Grossberg, B. L. Lefer, and R. J. Weber. 2012. "On the gas-particle partitioning of soluble organic aerosol in two urban atmospheres with contrasting emissions: 1. Bulk water-soluble organic carbon." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, 117: [10.1029/2012jd017908]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, M. P. Callahan, et al. J. P. Dworkin, D. P. Glavin, A. Lazcano, and J. L. Bada. 2011. "Prebiotic synthesis of methionine and other sulfur-containing organic compounds on the primitive Earth: a contemporary reassessment based on an unpublished 1958 Stanley Miller experiment." Orig. Life Evol. Biosph., 41: 201-212 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1007/s11084-010-9228-8]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, J. P. Dworkin, et al. D. P. Glavin, M. P. Callahan, A. D. Aubrey, A. Lazcano, and J. L. Bada. 2011. "Primordial synthesis of amines and amino acids in a 1958 Miller H2S-rich spark discharge experiment." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 108 (14): 5526-5531 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1073/pnas.1019191108]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, M. P. Callahan, et al. J. P. Dworkin, D. P. Glavin, A. Lazcano, and J. L. Bada. 2011. "Enhanced synthesis of alkyl amino acids in Miller's 1958 H2S experiment." Orig. Life Evol. Biosph. , 41: 569-574 [ 10.1007/s11084-011-9253-2]
Glavin, D. P., A. Aubrey, M. P. Callahan, et al. J. P. Dworkin, J. E. Elsila, E. T. Parker, J. L. Bada, P. Jenniskens, and M. H. Shaddad. 2010. "Extraterrestrial amino acids in the Almahata Sitta meteorite." Meteoritics and Planetary Science, 45 (10-11): 1695-1709 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/j.1945-5100.2010.01094.x ]
Expanding Our Knowledge of the Ranges of Environmental Conditions that May Have Been Able to Support Peptide Synthesis on the Primitive Earth and Elsewhere
8 / 2017Parker, E.T. (2017) 254th American Chemical Society National Meeting. Abstract #550.
An Evaluation of the Prebiotic Plausibility of Depsipeptide Synthesis Under Possible Primitive Conditions
7 / 2017Parker, E.T.; Forsythe, J.G.; Fernández, F.M. (2017) International Societey for the Study of the Origin of Life Conference. Abstract #4163.
Investigating L-Amino Acid Enantiomeric Excess in CM and CR Carbonaceous Chondrites
12 / 5 / 2018Parker, E.T. et al. (2018) The Ninth Symposium on Polar Science
Synthesis of Di-depsipeptides Under Possible Solar System Environments
4 / 2017Parker, E.T.; Forsythe, J.G.; Fernández, F.M. (2017) 253rd American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exhibition, Abstract # 2644609.
An Assessment of Amino Acid Stability in the Early Oceans by Analyzing Archived Seawater Samples with Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry
3 / 2016Parker, E.T.; Brinton, K.L.; Burton, A.S.; Glavin, D.P.; Dworkin, J.P.; Bada, J.L. (2016) Pittcon 2016, Abstract #360-3.
Amino Acid Stability in the Early Oceans
6 / 2015Parker, E.T.; Brinton, K.L.; Burton, A.S.; Glavin, D.P.; Dworkin, J.P.; Bada, J.L. (2015) Astrobiology Science Conference, Abstract #7019.
A Plausible Simultaneous Synthesis of Amino Acids and Simple Peptides on the Primordial Earth
7 / 2014Parker, E.T.; Zhou, M.; Burton, A.S.; Glavin, D.P.; Dworkin, J.P.; Krishnamurthy, R.; Fernández, F.M.; Bada, J.L. (2014) Origins 2014-2nd ISSOL-The International Astrobiology Society and Bioastronomy Joint International Conference, Abstract #1131188.
Mass Spectrometric-Based Investigations of Polymerized Biomolecules Synthesized in Miller’s Unreported Cyanamide Spark Discharge Experiment
5 / 2013Parker, E.T.; Zhou, M.; Burton, A.S.; Glavin, D.P.; Dworkin, J.P.; Fernández, F.M.; Bada, J.L. (2013) American Society for Mass Spectrometry Annual Conference, Abstract #505.
Stanley Miller’s Cyanamide Spark Discharge Experiment
5 / 2013Parker, E.T. (2013) Astrobiology Graduate Conference.
The Production of Gaseous Species in a Primitive Atmosphere: Gas Phase Chemistry in Spark Discharge Experiments
4 / 2012Parker, E.T.; Cleaves, H.J.; Bada, J.L.; Orlando, T.M.; Fernandez, F.M. (2012) Astrobiology Science Conference, Abstract # 1342863.
New Insights into Prebiotic Chemistry from Old Archived Miller Extracts
7 / 2011Parker, E.T.; Cleaves, H.J.; Dworkin, J.P.; Glavin, D.P.; Callahan, M.P.; Aubrey, A.D.; Lazcano, A; Bada, J.L. (2011) Origins 2011-ISSOL and Bioastronomy Joint International Conference, Abstract #249.
Dr. Eric Parker is an Astrochemist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. His areas of interest span the fields of analytical chemistry, astrochemistry, atmospheric chemistry, environmental chemistry, prebiotic chemistry, astrobiology, origins of life, and Earth sciences.
Aponte, J. C., J. E. Cook, J. E. Hein, et al. J. P. Dworkin, D. P. Glavin, H. L. Mclain, E. T. Parker, T. Cao, E. L. Berger, and A. S. Burton. 2020. "Analysis of amino acids, hydroxy acids, and amines in CR chondrites." Meteoritics & Planetary Science [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13586]
Parker, E. T., M. Karki, D. P. Glavin, J. P. Dworkin, and R. Krishnamurthy. 2020. "A Sensitive Quantitative Analysis of Abiotically Synthesized Short Homopeptides using Ultraperformance Liquid Chromatography and Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry." Journal of Chromatography A 461509 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1016/j.chroma.2020.461509]
Glavin, D. P., H. L. McLain, J. P. Dworkin, et al. E. T. Parker, J. E. Elsila, J. C. Aponte, D. N. Simkus, C. I. Pozarycki, H. V. Graham, L. R. Nittler, and C. M. Alexander. 2020. "Abundant extraterrestrial amino acids in the primitive CM carbonaceous chondrite Asuka 12236." Meteoritics & Planetary Science maps.13560 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13560]
Aponte, J. C., H. L. McLain, D. N. Simkus, et al. J. E. Elsila, D. P. Glavin, E. T. Parker, J. P. Dworkin, D. H. Hill, H. C. Connolly, and D. S. Lauretta. 2020. "Extraterrestrial organic compounds and cyanide in the CM2 carbonaceous chondrites Aguas Zarcas and Murchison." Meteoritics & Planetary Science 55 (7): 1509-1524 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13531]
Glavin, D. P., J. E. Elsila, H. L. McLain, et al. J. C. Aponte, E. T. Parker, J. P. Dworkin, D. H. Hill, H. C. Connolly, and D. S. Lauretta. 2020. "Extraterrestrial amino acids and L-enantiomeric excesses in the CM2 carbonaceous chondrites Aguas Zarcas and Murchison." Meteoritics & Planetary Science [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/maps.13451]
Simkus, D., J. C. Aponte, J. E. Elsila, et al. E. T. Parker, D. P. Glavin, and J. P. Dworkin. 2019. "Methodologies for Analyzing Soluble Organic Compounds in Extraterrestrial Samples: Amino Acids, Amines, Monocarboxylic Acids, Aldehydes, and Ketones." Life 9 (47): 30 pages [Full Text (Link)] [10.3390/life9020047]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, J. L. Bada, and F. M. Fernández. 2016. "Quantitation of α-hydroxy acids in complex prebiotic mixtures via liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry." Rapid Communications in Mass Spectrometry 30 2043-2051 [10.1002/rcm.7684]
Cleaves, H. J., C. Neish, M. P. Callahan, et al. E. Parker, F. M. Fernández, and J. P. Dworkin. 2014. "Amino acids generated from hydrated Titan tholins: Comparison with Miller–Urey electric discharge products." Icarus 237 182-189 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1016/j.icarus.2014.04.042]
Parker, E. T., J. H. Cleaves, A. S. Burton, et al. D. P. Glavin, J. P. Dworkin, J. P. Zhou, J. L. Bada, and F. M. Fernández. 2014. "Conducting Miller-Urey Experiments." Journal of Visualized Experiments 83 1-13 [Full Text (Link)] [10.3791/51039 ]
Parker, E. T., M. Zhou, A. S. Burton, et al. D. P. Glavin, J. P. Dworkin, R. Krishnamurthy, F. M. Fernndez, and J. L. Bada. 2014. "A Plausible Simultaneous Synthesis of Amino Acids and Simple Peptides on the Primordial Earth." Angewandte Chemie International Edition 53 8132-81336 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1002/ange.201403683]
Liu, J., X. Zhang, E. T. Parker, et al. P. R. Veres, J. M. Roberts, J. A. de Gouw, P. L. Hayes, J. L. Jimenez, J. G. Murphy, R. A. Ellis, L. G. Huey, and R. J. Weber. 2012. "On the gas-particle partitioning of soluble organic aerosol in two urban atmospheres with contrasting emissions: 2. Gas and particle phase formic acid." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 117 [10.1029/2012jd017912]
Zhang, X., J. Liu, E. T. Parker, et al. P. L. Hayes, J. L. Jimenez, J. A. de Gouw, J. H. Flynn, N. Grossberg, B. L. Lefer, and R. J. Weber. 2012. "On the gas-particle partitioning of soluble organic aerosol in two urban atmospheres with contrasting emissions: 1. Bulk water-soluble organic carbon." Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres 117 [10.1029/2012jd017908]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, M. P. Callahan, et al. J. P. Dworkin, D. P. Glavin, A. Lazcano, and J. L. Bada. 2011. "Prebiotic synthesis of methionine and other sulfur-containing organic compounds on the primitive Earth: a contemporary reassessment based on an unpublished 1958 Stanley Miller experiment." Orig. Life Evol. Biosph. 41 201-212 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1007/s11084-010-9228-8]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, J. P. Dworkin, et al. D. P. Glavin, M. P. Callahan, A. D. Aubrey, A. Lazcano, and J. L. Bada. 2011. "Primordial synthesis of amines and amino acids in a 1958 Miller H2S-rich spark discharge experiment." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 108 (14): 5526-5531 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1073/pnas.1019191108]
Parker, E. T., H. J. Cleaves, M. P. Callahan, et al. J. P. Dworkin, D. P. Glavin, A. Lazcano, and J. L. Bada. 2011. "Enhanced synthesis of alkyl amino acids in Miller's 1958 H2S experiment." Orig. Life Evol. Biosph. 41 569-574 [ 10.1007/s11084-011-9253-2]
Glavin, D. P., A. Aubrey, M. P. Callahan, et al. J. P. Dworkin, J. E. Elsila, E. T. Parker, J. L. Bada, P. Jenniskens, and M. H. Shaddad. 2010. "Extraterrestrial amino acids in the Almahata Sitta meteorite." Meteoritics and Planetary Science 45 (10-11): 1695-1709 [Full Text (Link)] [10.1111/j.1945-5100.2010.01094.x ]