Neal Devaraj receives NSF CAREER Award to investigate the chemical origins of life

Prof. Neal Devaraj received an award of $650,000 from the National Science Foundation to investigate how small, reactive molecules may have sparked the earliest forms of life. His project, which began September 1, will develop chemical systems that create fatty-acid vesicles from non-biological molecules. These synthesized vesicles can grow and compete for resources in their environment, activities driven by catalytic reactions that are also a focus of this investigation. Knowledge gained from this work could guide future efforts to synthesize ever more lifelike forms from non-living materials. Successes, and failures, in that effort will reveal key principles governing living systems and suggest ways life on Earth might have begun, which remains a mystery. Devaraj will also work with CREATE, a UC San Diego program to help San Diego youth prepare for college and succeed once admitted. The outreach project will introduce teachers and students to supramolecular chemistry and the study of the origin of life as part of the center's STEM Initiative, which began in July. The National Science Foundation's Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Program supports junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.