Joshua Sebree

Joshua Sebree serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at the University of Northern Iowa's College of Humanities Arts and Sciences, specializing in astrochemistry and astrobiology with dual research focuses on Titan's atmospheric chemistry and Earth-based cave ecosystems as extraterrestrial life analogs.

His academic foundation includes:

• Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from Purdue University (2011) under Timothy Zwier
• NASA Goddard Space Flight Center postdoctoral research (2011-2013) with Melissa Trainer
• B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Kansas (2006)

Dr. Sebree's research program bridges two critical domains:

• Titan Aerosol Chemistry: Investigating trace species (acetylene, HCN, benzene) in Titan's atmosphere and their role in aerosol formation, with direct applications to Cassini mission data interpretation and prebiotic chemistry pathways.
• Extremophile Cave Systems: Conducting field studies in Wind Cave National Park's 300-million-year-old ecosystem, where nutrient-limited deep-cave lakes serve as accessible analogs for extraterrestrial oceans on Enceladus and Europa.

His publication record demonstrates consistent advancement in laboratory simulations of planetary atmospheres, particularly through spectroscopic analysis of organic aerosols and reaction pathways relevant to Titan's complex chemistry. Key trends include isotopic fractionation studies, aromatic compound interactions in aerosol formation, and connections between experimental astrochemistry and space mission data.

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Information regarding student advising and grant funding was not provided in the available materials.

Dr. Sebree leads a research group conducting both laboratory aerosol experiments and extreme-access fieldwork in Wind Cave, requiring 3km underground expeditions through 20cm-wide passages to collect samples from isolated aquifer lakes that represent one of Earth's most pristine analogs for extraterrestrial aqueous environments.