Sarah Johnson Named Roy Chapman Andrews Society Distinguished Explorer for 2023

Sarah Johnson, a planetary scientist with a focus on the search for life in the universe, has been awarded the Roy Chapman Andrews Society Distinguished Explorer for 2023. The award recognizes Johnson’s outstanding contributions to the field of planetary exploration.

Johnson was recently promoted to Full Professor in both the Biology Department and Science, Technology, and International Affairs Program at Georgetown. She is a leading expert on the search for life on Mars as well as the moons of the outer Solar System, including Europa, Enceladus, and Titan. She has served on the science teams for several NASA missions, including the Opportunity, Spirit, and Curiosity rovers. Her book, The Sirens of Mars: Searching for Life on Another World, was selected as one of The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2020 and also received the Whiting Award for Nonfiction in 2021.

Johnson is the 20th recipient of the Roy Chapman Andrews Society Distinguished Explorer Award. Previous recipients include Bob Ballard, who discovered the Titanic, and Sylvia Earle, the legendary marine biologist.

In a statement, the Roy Chapman Andrews Society praised Johnson for her “outstanding contributions to the field of planetary exploration.” The Society said that Johnson’s research “has helped to advance our understanding of Mars and the potential for life on other planets.”

Johnson said that she was “incredibly honored” to receive the award, and that she was “proud to be a part of a community of explorers who are committed to understanding our universe.”

Johnson’s work is helping to pave the way for future missions to Mars and beyond and inspiring the next generation of scientists along the way.  

Congratulations to Sarah Johnson on this well-deserved award!