Sherry L. Cady, Ph.D., Named Editor-in-Chief of New Astrobiology Journal To Be Launched by Mary Ann Liebert Inc., in 2001.

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LARCHMONT, N.Y.--(BW HealthWire)--Sept. 20, 2000

Sherry L. Cady, Ph.D. Assistant Professor in the Department of Geology of Portland State University, Portland, Ore., has accepted the post of Editor-in-Chief of an innovative new peer-reviewed journal, ASTROBIOLOGY, which will be published in 2001 by Mary Ann Liebert Inc. (www.liebertpub.com).

"Astrobiology, in its broadest sense, is developing as an area of distinct academic endeavor," said Mary Ann Liebert. "This Journal will provide a home for multidisciplinary studies and play an important role in the growth of the field. It will be published both in print and online."

Astrobiology brings together research scientists from around the world to advance theories and methodologies that provide a better understanding of biodiversity, and the ways in which life interacts with its environment, particularly those considered extreme by human standards.

Spurred by the search for life beyond Earth, astrobiology focuses on a common goal: discovering the thread of life in the universe. A new wave of technological innovations in space and life sciences promises to bring us closer to determining whether evidence of life can be found on other planets. As a new field of study, astrobiology promises to make inroads into other critical disciplines, such as proteomics, evolutionary biology, paleobiology, biogeochemistry, planetary geology, meteoritics and cosmochemistry.

"Because of its connection to the most fundamental questions about the origins, evolution and distribution of life as we know it," explained Dr. Cady, "scientists are intrigued by the questions posed by astrobiology and its implications for addressing complex environmental and possible health concerns in this new millennium. Advances in biomedical research, biotechnology, genomics and bioinformatics will make contributions to this field."

Dr. Cady, Assistant Professor and head of the Geomicrobiology Electron Microscopy Laboratory in the Department of Geology at Portland State University, earned both her bachelor's degree and doctorate in geology from the University of California at Berkeley, Dr. Cady was a research associate for the National Research Council at the National Aeronautics & Space Administration's Ames Research Center for two years and a principal investigator and research scientist for the SETI Institute in Menlo Park, also in California, before moving to Oregon.

She has worked on various projects connected to the search for life on Mars and the investigation of how microorganisms leave their biosignatures in extreme environments like the thermal springs in Yellowstone National Park. She received the National Science Foundation's National Research Council Associateships Program Award from 1994 through 1996 and was elected a member of the International Committee of Environmental Biogeochemistry in 1999.

"I am delighted that Dr. Cady has accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief of this important new journal," Liebert said. "She is an acknowledged leader in Astrobiology and has both the scientific knowledge and the vision that is essential to move the field forward."

Mary Ann Liebert Inc., a privately held, fully integrated media company based in Larchmont, N.Y., publishes Genetic Engineering News (GEN), the most widely read biotechnology publication worldwide. Peer-reviewed journals include Human Gene Therapy, Cloning and Microbial & Comparative Genomics. For more information about the company and a full list of its publications, visit www.liebertpub.com or call 914/834-3100.