Renowned exoplanet researcher, Sara Seager, is set to return to Canada after spending about two decades at MIT. Seager, known for her work in searching for Earth 2.0 and extraterrestrial life, will be joining the University of Toronto, her alma mater, in September 2026.
Excited about her homecoming, Seager expressed gratitude for the warm welcome she has always received in Canada, including various awards and invitations to visit. She will be joining the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics (CITA) as a professor, aiming to inspire future researchers and bring her ongoing projects to Canada.
One of Seager’s ambitious projects includes investigating the potential for life in the clouds of Venus. The discovery of phosphine in Venus’s clouds, a chemical associated with biological activity, sparked interest in exploring the planet further. Seager is also involved in the Morning Star project, which plans to send missions to Venus to gather samples from its atmosphere.
Seager’s career trajectory, from the early days of exoplanet discovery to her pioneering work in Project Starshade, reflects her dedication to pushing scientific boundaries. Her return to Canada is seen as a significant opportunity for advancing research and attracting top talent to the field of astrophysics. Seager’s interdisciplinary approach, combining exoplanetary science with chemistry and engineering, aligns with CITA’s mission of innovative theoretical astrophysics.
As Seager prepares to embark on this new chapter at the University of Toronto, she looks forward to contributing to the scientific community and fostering collaboration across various disciplines. Her passion for exploring the unknown and seeking answers to fundamental questions about our universe continues to drive her groundbreaking research efforts.