UNI Researchers Study Caves for Clues to Life Beyond Earth

(CEDAR FALLS, IA) -- Students and professors at the University of Northern Iowa are researching how life could survive in extreme environments by studying caves. Led by chemistry professor Joshua Sebree, the team has been exploring South Dakota’s fluorescent Wind Cave to find chemical “fossils” using black light technology. Sebree says caves offer one of the best Earth-based models for where life might exist on planets like Mars, Europa, or Enceladus. Their research is being shared with NASA and aims to help guide future space missions. Funding for the project comes from NASA and the Iowa Space Grant Consortium.