Meet Sofia Dominesey

My INDS Degree

My degree integrates elements of chemistry, planetary science, and selected areas of biology to support my scientific interest in understanding how chemistry becomes biology and how life first emerged from nonliving matter. My degree is designed in such a way that combines these disciplines into one focus of Astrobiology and Abiogenesis. Astrobiology, defined by Space to be, “The field of science concerned with the study of life in the universe and attempting to solve the mystery of how life emerged on Earth.” Under the umbrella of Astrobiology lies my particular interest and focus of my degree, which is Abiogenesis – “the chemical process by which simplest life emerged from inanimate beginnings.” (NIH). Rather than focusing on modern and complex life, I want to study the chemical and environmental processes that make biology possible in the first place.

Degree Mentors

• Dr. Stephen Freeland| Associate Dean, UMBC  Undergraduate Academic Affairs
• Dr. Dillon Mahmoudi| GES GIS Graduate Program Director & Associate Professor, UMBC Department of Geography & Environmental Systems 
• Steven McAlpine| Assistant Teaching Professor Individualized Study 

Post Graduation Plans

I plan to go to graduate school after graduating. I want to further my skills in GIS and remote sensing especially. I would love to go into research that surveys the surface of Mars, and maybe even one day what its subsurface looks like. From my work experience during my time here, I’ve also discovered I really enjoy helping students learn that the career world isn’t cookie cutter. I see myself mentoring students somewhere down the line and have considered becoming an academic advisor, using my lived experience to help students find their passion as my advisors did for me.

Courses In My INDS Degree

✅Geochemistry, Remote Sensing, & Geospatial Analysis:This area of my degree focuses on understanding planetary environments by using computing and imaging techniques in geospatial science and analysis. The techniques taught in these classes will enable me to study planetary surfaces, reconstruct past environments, and assess potential habitats for life beyond our own planet.

(GES 286, 302, 381, 663, 778, CHEM 490)

✅ Prebiotic Chemistry: This area of concentration focuses on the molecular foundations of life from both a biological and chemical lens. By studying and understanding organic and biochemical processes, I will be able to develop skills that connect molecular structure, reactivity, and analytical techniques that are essential to study both the origins of life on Earth, as well as processes that could enable biological systems elsewhere to develop.

(BIOL 303, 430, 463, STAT 350, CHEM 351, 352, 405)

✅Philosophy and Ethics:This part of my degree plan dives into my interest in the philosophical side of science. Ethics is incredibly important when it comes to all scientific research, and I am very interested in the ethical complications of finding life elsewhere. Questions such as “Do we have a right to the Universe?” fuel my interest in the subject as it relates to my degree. Considering ethics and philosophy is incredibly important in conducting my research, whether in the lab for research in the form of gamifying learning.

(PHIL 359, 384, 478)

✅ Individualized Study: These courses are the core curriculum of the INDS program. By taking these courses, I have developed my degree from start to finish with the help of my mentors, as well as conduct my own research and explore astrobiology itself by participating in the Missions to Europa and Mars RPGs.

(INDS 330, 335, 400, 430, 480, 490)