Brief Bio

Dr. Milam works in the Astrochemistry Laboratory at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (Greenbelt, Maryland USA). She is an expert in rotational spectroscopy, observations, and laboratory modeling of astrochemistry and molecular astrophysics of the interstellar medium, evolved stars, star formation regions, and comets with an emphasis on isotopic fractionation and astrobiology of primitive materials. Dr. Milam maintains a renowned observational program with radio telescopes around the world, and with space-based observatories, to routinely observe comets as part of an international collaboration. Additionally, she conducts high resolution spectroscopic studies of evolved stars, star forming regions, and the Galactic interstellar medium, specializing in isotopes. Her key research objective is to study the isotope composition of evolved stars to determine the nucleosynthetic processes that have taken place, chemical enrichments that may occur in the mass-loss process, and how the enrichment is distributed to the interstellar medium, star forming regions, and planetary systems. She also has a laboratory dedicated to simulate interstellar/cometary/planetary ices and detect trace species employing the same techniques used for remote observations to help constrain the chemical complexity of the ices, the amount of processing that occurs, and interpret past and present data from missions that observe ice features. In March of 2012, Dr. Milam was selected as the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Planetary Science Liaison. Under this role she helped establish the next generation space telescope as a planetary science resource, engaged the community in future observations and preparations, and assisted the project to ensure the capabilities of the observatory were suitable for solar system observations. In July 2014, Dr. Milam was appointed as the JWST Deputy Project Scientist for Planetary Science to continue her role through launch in 2018.
 

 

Positions/Employment

Education

• B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) in Chemistry, May 11, 2002, Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, KS 67401
  
• Ph.D. in Chemistry, December 15, 2007, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721
  
  

Professional Societies

Professional Service

Journal Referee:
Astronomical Journal
Astrophysical Journal
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Journal of Chemical Physics
Astrophysics and Space Science
Reports on Progress in Physics
Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society
Icarus

Committees:
GSFC Science Director’s Committee (2013-2015)
HST Solar System Advisory Committee (2013-current)
GSFC Planetary Science Strategic Fellow (2012-current)

Selected Professional Activities:

• SOC for Frontiers of ACS Astrochemistry Symposium: Solar System Chemistry - Planets to Comets and Beyond, Aug. 2016, Philadelphia, PA.
• JWST televised interviews on “Super Brains” and “How Stuff Works”.
• Keynote speaker and guest lecturer at UNISA Summer School on Power Oct. 26-30, 2015 in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• SOC/LOC and chair for “From interstellar ices to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: A symposium to honor Lou Allamandola's contributions to the molecular Universe”, Sept. 13-17, 2015, Annapolis, MD.
• ALMA Cycle 3-5 Time Allocation Committee
• Principle organizer of Astrobiology Science Conference Session: How to Build a Habitable Planet: Determining the Origin and Nature of Prebiotic Species in Comets, June 15-19, 2015, Chicago, IL.
• SOC for FarIR Surveyor Workshop, June 3-5, 2015, Beckman Institute at Caltech.
• Session Chair 249th ACS Carbon in the Galaxy Astrochemistry Symposium, March 22-26, 2015.
• Organized JWST workshop on Potential Science Investigations in the Solar System at the 46th Annual DPS Meeting November, 2014.
• Session Chair DPS 2014.
• Science Analysis Group #9 to the Cosmic Origins Program Analysis Group (COPAG) regarding Spitzer and JWST.
• LOC for International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions, Nov 4-7, 2014, GSFC.
• SOC and Session Chair for Ground and space observatories: a joint venture to the Solar System and exoplanets, March 2015, Chile.
• Session Chair LPSC 2014.
• Coordinated ground-based observing campaigns for cometary apparitions at NRAO GBT, ARO SMT, JCMT, APEX, and ALMA for comets C/2009 P1 (Garradd), C/2011 L4 (PanSTARRS), C/2012 F6 (Lemmon), C/2012 S1 (ISON), C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy).
• External Ephemeris tracking Commissioning for ALMA – Science Verification Proposal
• Developed six Science Fliers for JWST: “MIRI and NIRSpec observations of Asteroids” and “JWST Observations in the Solar System”.
• Organized NRAO Community Day at GSFC (October 2013).
• Organized two Townhalls (DPS 2013 and LPSC 2014) on “Solar System Observations with JWST”.
• Organized three workshops (DPS 2012, LPSC 2013, DPS 2014) on “Planning your Solar System Observations with JWST”.
• NASA Project Science Training (2013).
• Funded through NASA’s ROSES programs: ADAP, APRA, PAST, PATM, OSS, NAI.
• Participant in the Goddard Diversity Dialogue Project, Phase V.
• Served as a reviewer for NASA ROSES programs (PATM, OSS, APRA, ADAP, EW, XRP), NASA Earth and Space Sciences Fellowship, United States-Israel Binational Science Foundation, NSF astronomy, Discovery Red Team, and GSFC Internal Research and Development (IRAD) proposals.
• Principle organizer of Astrobiology Science Conference Session “Extraterrestrial Biomolecules in the New Age of Astronomical Instrumentation”.
• Organizer (PI) of Lorentz Center Workshop “Isotopes in Astrochemistry: An Interstellar Heritage for Solar System Materials?” Leiden, NL, December 2011.
• SOC for Workshop on Cometary Taxonomy, Annapolis, MD, March 2011.
• Participation in the Ground Based Observing Team for NASA’s EPOXI mission in November 2010.
• SOC for a workshop on Cometary Radio Astronomy, Greenbank, VA, 16-19 May, 2010.
• Participation in planning and carrying out observations using numerous telescopic facilities (ALMA, Herschel Space Observatory, SOFIA, ARO 12m and Submillimeter telescopes, NRAO GBT, JCMT, APEX, and IRAM 30m) from 2002-present.
• Part of commissioning team for the new ALMA Band 6 receiver to the Arizona Radio Observatory Submillimeter Telescope in 2006/2007.
• Participation in the Ground Based Observing Team for NASA’s DEEP IMPACT in July 2005.
   

Awards

2015 Robert H. Goddard Honor Award – Exceptional Achievement in Science (Individual)
2015 Robert H. Goddard Honor Award – Exceptional Achievement in Science (JWST Project Science Team)
2013-2015 NASA GSFC Distinguished Performance Award
2012 NASA GSFC Science Innovation Fund
2008 Young Alumni Award, Kansas Wesleyan University
2005-2007 Achievement Rewards for College Scientist (ARCS) - Phoenix Chapter
2005-2006 Galileo Circle Scholarship, University of Arizona
2001-2002 Alpha Chi Honor Society (President), Kansas Wesleyan University
1999-2002 Eisenhower Scholarship, Kansas Wesleyan University
 

Other Professional Information

Publications
1. Cordiner, M.A., Charnley, S.B., Hily-Blant, P., Wirstrom, E.S., Milam, S.N. (2016), Nitrogen isotope chemistry in protostellar envelope of Chamaeleon MMS1, ApJ, in preparation.
2. Milam, S.N., Haynes, L., Stenborg, M., DiSanti, M.A., Villanueva, G. (2016), Characterizing Abundances of Volatiles in Comet C/2009 R1(McNaught) Through Multiwavelength Observations, ApJ, in preparation.
3. Milam, S.N. & Charnley, S.B. (2016) Isotope Fractionation Studies in Prestellar Cores: The Case of Nitrogen, ApJ, in preparation.
4. Norwood, J., Hammel, H., Milam, S.N. et al. (2016) Solar System Observations with JWST, PNAS, in press.
5. Milam, S.N., Stansberry, J., Sonneborn, G., Thomas, C. (2016) The James Webb Space Telescope’s plan for operations and instrument capabilities for observations in the Solar System, PNAS, in press (arXiv:1510.04567).
6. Santos-Sanz, P., et al., (2016) the JWST occultations focus group, JWST observations of stellar occultations by solar system bodies and rings, PNAS, in press (arXiv:1510.06575).
7. Villanueva, Geronimo L., et al., (2016) Unique Spectroscopy and Imaging of
Mars with JWST, PNAS, in press (arXiv:1510.04619).
8. Biver, N. Bockelee-Morvan, D., Moreno, R., Crovisier, J., Colom, P., Lis, D.C., Sandqvist, A., Boissier, J., Despois, D., & Milam, S. (2015) Ethyl alcohol and sugar in comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy), Science Advances, Vol. 1, no. 9, e1500863.
9. Gicquel, A., Milam, S.N., et al. (2015) The Evolution of Volatile Production in comet C/2009 P1 (Garradd) During its 2011-2012 Apparition. ApJ, 807,19.
10. Willacy, K., Alexander, C., Ali-Dib, M., Ceccarelli, C., Charnley, S. B., Doronin, M., Ellinger, Y., Gast, P., Gibb, E., Milam, S. N., et al., (2015) The Composition of the Protosolar Disk and the Formation Conditions for Comets, Space Science Reviews, Online First.
11. Cordiner, M. A., Nixon, C. A., Teanby, N. A., Serigano, J., Charnley, S. B., Milam, S. N., Mumma, M. J., Irwin, P. G. J., Lis, D. C., Villanueva, G., Paganini, L., Kuan, Y.-J., Remijan, A. J., ALMA measurements of the HNC and HC3N distributions in Titan's atmosphere. ApJ Letters, 795, L30.
12. Gicquel, A., Milam, S.N. et al. (2014) Ground-based Multiwavelength Observations of Comet 103P/Hartley 2, ApJ, 794,1.
13. Cordiner, M.A., Remijan, A.J., Boissier, J., Milam, S.N. et al. (2014) Mapping the release of volatiles in the inner comae of comets C/2012 F6 (Lemmon) and C/2012 S1 (ISON) using the Atacama Large Millimeter/Submillimeter Array, ApJ Letters, 792, L2.
14. Norwood, J., Hammel, H., Milam, S.N. et al. (2014), Solar System Observations with JWST, (arXiv: 1403.6845).
15. Bockelee-Morvan, D. et al. (2014) Searches for HCl and HF in comets 103P/Hartley 2 and C/2009 P1 (Garradd) with the Herschel Space Observatory, A&A, 562, 5.
16. De Gregorio, B. et al. (2013) Isotopic and Chemical Variation of Organic Nanoglobules in Primitive Meteorites, M&PS, 1, 25.
17. Wirström, E.S., Charnley, S.B., Cordiner, M.A., Milam, S.N. (2012) Isotopic Anomalies in Primitive Solar System Matter: Spin-state Dependent Fractionation of Nitrogen and Deuterium in Interstellar Clouds, ApJ, 757, 2.
18. Nuevo, M., Milam, S.N., Sandford, S.A. (2012) Nucleobases and Prebiotic Molecules in Organic Residues Produced from the Ultraviolet Photo-Irradiation of Pyrimidine in NH3 and H2O+NH3 Ices, Astrobiology, 12, 295.
19. Meech, K.J., et al. (2011) EPOXI: Comet 103P/Hartley 2 Observations from a Worldwide Campaign. ApJ, 734, L1.
20. Nuevo, M., Milam, S.N., Sandford, S.A., De Gregorio, B.T., Cody, G.D., & Kilcoyne, A.L.D. (2011) XANES analysis of organic residues produced from the UV irradiation of astrophysical ice analogs, AdSpRev, 48, 1126.
21. Milam, S. (2011) Interstellar Chemical Processes. Encyclopedia of Astrobiology, Part 9, 826-832.
22. Zolensky, M., et al. (2010) Mineralogy and Petrography of the Almahata Sitta Ureilite. M&PS, 45, 1618.
23. Sandford, S.A., Milam, S.N., Nuevo, M., Jenniskens, P., & Shaddad, M.H. (2010) The Mid-Infrared Transmission Spectra of Multiple Stones from the Almahata Sitta Meteorite. M&PS, 45, 1821.
24. Bera, P.P., Nuevo, M., Milam, S.N., Sandford, S.A., & Lee, T.J. (2010) Mechanism for the abiotic synthesis of uracil via UV-induced oxidation of pyrimidine in pure H2O ices under astrophysical conditions. JChPh, 133, 104303
25. Tenenbaum, E.D., Dodd, J.L., Milam, S.N., Woolf, N.J., & Ziurys, L.M. (2010) The Arizona Radio Observatory 1 mm Spectral Survey of IRC +10216 and VY Canis Majoris (215-285 GHz). ApJS, 190, 348.
26. Tenenbaum, E.D., Dodd, J.L., Milam, S.N., Woolf, N.J., & Ziurys, L.M. (2010) Comparative Spectra of Oxygen-rich Versus Carbon-rich Circumstellar Shells: VY Canis Majoris and IRC +10216 at 215-285 GHz. ApJ, 720, L10
27. Tenenbaum, E.D., Milam, S.N., Woolf, N.J., & Ziurys, L.M. (2009) Molecular Survival in Evolved Planetary Nebulae: Detection of H2CO, c-C3H2, and C2H in the Helix. ApJ, 704, L108.
28. Nuevo, M., Milam, S.N., Sandford, S.A., Elsila, J.E., & Dworkin, J.P. (2009) Formation of Uracil from the UV Irradiation of Pyrimidine in Water Ice. Astrobiology, 9, 683
29. DiSanti, M.A., Villanueva, G.L., Milam, S.N., Zack, L.N., Bonev, B.P., Mumma, M.J., Ziurys, L.M., Anderson, W.M. (2009) The Interesting Volatile Organic Composition of Comet C/2006 M4 (SWAN). Icarus, 203, 589.
30. Ziurys, L.M., Tenenbaum, E.D., Pulliam, R.L., Woolf, N.J., & Milam, S.N. (2009) Carbon Chemistry in the Envelope of VY Canis Majoris: Implications for Oxygen-Rich Evolved Stars, ApJ, 695, 1604.
31. Jenniskens, P. et al. (2009) The Impact and Recovery of Asteroid 2008 TC3. Nature, 458, 485.
32. Milam, S.N., Woolf, N.J. & Ziurys, L.M. (2009) A Survey of Circumstellar 12C/13C Isotope Ratios Derived from CN and CO: Nucleosynthesis in Various Types of Stars. ApJ, 690, 837.
33. Remijan, A. et al. (2008) The Distribution, Excitation and Formation of Cometary Molecules: Methanol, Methyl Cyanide and Ethylene Glycol. ApJ, 689, 613.
34. Milam, S.N. et al. (2008) Constraining Phosphorus Chemistry in Carbon- and Oxygen-Rich Circumstellar Envelopes: Observations of PN, HCP, and CP. ApJ, 684, 618.
35. Milam, Stefanie Nicole (2007) Following carbon's evolutionary path: From nucleosynthesis to the solar system. Proquest Dissertations And Theses 2007. Section 0009, Part 0494 281 pages; [Ph.D. dissertation].United States -- Arizona: The University of Arizona; 2007. Publication Number: AAT 3284347. Source: DAI-B 68/11, May 2008.
36. Milam, S.N. et al. (2007) Oxygen-Rich Mass Loss with a Pinch of Salt: NaCl in the Circumstellar Gas of IK Tau and VY CMa. ApJ, 668, L131.
37. Ziurys, L.M., Milam, S.N., Apponi, A.J., & Woolf, N.J. (2007) Chemical Complexity in the Winds of the Oxygen-Rich Supergiant Star VY Canis Majoris. Nature, 447, 1094.
38. Milam, S.N. et al. (2006) Formaldehyde in Comets C/1995 O1 (Hale-Bopp), C/2002 T7 (LINEAR) and C/2001 Q4 (NEAT): Investigating the Cometary Origin of H2CO. ApJ, 649, 1169.
39. Milam, S.N. et al. (2005) The 12C/13C Isotope Gradient Derived From Millimeter Transitions of CN: The Case for Galactic Chemical Evolution. ApJ, 634, 1126.
40. Milam, S.N. et al. (2004) HCO+ Observations towards Comet Hale-Bopp (C/1995 O1): Ion-Molecule Chemistry and Evidence for a Volatile Secondary Source. ApJ, 615, 1054.

Invited Presentations (2010 – present)
Cometary Radio Astronomy Workshop (May 2010)
• “Extended Sources for Various Species in Cometary Comae”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
The ALMA Telescope: Heralding a new era of Astrochemistry (May 2010)
• “Probing Cometary Chemistry with ALMA”, Stefanie Milam
Spectroscopy 2011: Extending the Limits of Astrophysical Spectroscopy (Jan. 2011)
• “Anticipated Advances in Astrobiology with ALMA”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
University of Victoria Astronomy Seminar Series (Jan. 2011)
• “Interstellar Prebiotic Chemistry: Searching for the Building Blocks of Life in Our Galaxy”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
University of Maryland Planetary Astronomy Series (Apr. 2012)
• “Observations of Nitrogen Fractionation in Prestellar Cores: Implications for Meteoritic Hot Spots”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
Carnegie Institution Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (Apr. 2012)
• “Observations of Nitrogen Fractionation in Prestellar Cores: Implications for Meteoritic Hot Spots”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
National Taiwan University (Nov. 2012)
• “Recent Observations of Comets at Multiple Wavelengths: A Taxonomy Effort”, Milam, S.N. et al. – INVITED
Department of Astronomy at the National Central University of Taiwan (Nov. 2012)
• “Submillimeter measurements of photolysis products in Interstellar Ice Analogs: A new experimental technique”, Milam – INVITED
7th NAASC workshop: Transformational Science with ALMA: From Dust to Rocks to Planets – the Formation and Evolution of Planetary Systems (Apr. 2013)
• “What do millimeter continuum and spectral line observations tell us about solar system bodies?”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED (sequestered)
Southeast Regional Meeting of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS) (Nov. 2013)
• “Multiwavelength Observations of Comets: Constraining the Molecular Evolution of the Solar System”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
Carnegie Institution Department of Terrestrial Magnetism (Jan. 2015)
• “Science with the James Webb Space Telescope”, Jane Rigby and Stefanie Milam – INVITED
Universidad Diego Portales, Auditorium Facultad Ingeniería (Department of Engineering) in coordination with the U.S. Embassy of Chile (Mar. 2015)
• "My Journey as a Women in Science and working at NASA", Stefanie Milam – INVITED
• “Science with the James Webb Space Telescope”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
American Chemical Society (ACS) Astrochemistry Symposium, "Carbon in the Galaxy: The Formation of Complex Organics from the Outflow of Carbon Stars and their Evolution" (Mar. 2015)
• “Radio/submm observations of organic molecules in the dense ISM”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
San Jose State University Department of Physics and Astronomy Seminar (May 2015)
• "Science with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)", Stefanie Milam – INVITED
Far Infrared Surveyor Workshop (June 2015)
• “Observing the Solar System with a Far-Infrared Space Telescope”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
GBT High Frequency Science Workshop (Sept. 2015)
• “The Solar System at Millimeter wavelengths”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
UNISA Summer School on Power (Oct. 2015)
• “Recent Studies of Comets: The Hairy Stars of Antiquity”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED
U.S. Radio/Millimeter/Submillimeter Science Futures in the 2020s (Dec. 2015)
• “Solar System Observations with Radio/Millimeter/Submillimeter Assets in the 2020s”, Stefanie Milam – INVITED