Astronomy Assistant Professor Ji Wang has received a prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Program (CAREER) Award from the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Wang’s research project, “CAREER: Searching For Biosignatures in Exoplanet Atmospheres,” searches for signs of life on planets and seeks to promote advancements in astronomical instrumentation and community outreach. The project will develop a proof-of-concept instrument to address imaging and spectroscopy issues in current ground-based telescopes, eventually leading to a new instrument on the Large Binocular Telescope that will serve as a pathfinder for future use on the upcoming generation of Extremely Large Telescopes. Wang’s project also connects Ohio State and the Center of Science and Industry (COSI) for a future exhibition and a series of events on exoplanet discoveries.

The NSF’s CAREER Program offers the foundation’s most prestigious awards in support of early-career faculty who have the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education and to lead advances in the mission of their department and organization.

Read the Arts & Sciences news release.