On March 13th 2024, the Biochemistry and Biophysics department was proud to host Dr. Sara Imari Walker from Arizona State University for the distinguished Tsoo King Memorial Lecture. Held annually, this lecture series honors the legacy of Dr. Tsoo King, a former BB faculty member whose work profoundly impacted the scientific community. Dr. Walker, an esteemed astrobiologist, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on "Life as No One Knows It," engaging the audience with the profound enigmas surrounding life’s origins and its existence beyond our planet.
In her lecture, Dr. Walker challenged traditional definitions of life and highlighted the necessity for radical approaches to understand and contextualize life beyond the biochemical framework that exists on Earth. She introduced the cutting-edge 'assembly theory', a novel framework designed to define life through universal physical laws, applicable to both terrestrial and extraterrestrial life forms. This theory suggests innovative methods for experimentally detecting and studying alien life in laboratory settings.
Dr. Walker was also excited to share insights from her upcoming book, also titled "Life as No One Knows It," which promises to expand on the ideas discussed and explore the implications of her theories in greater depth.
The audience, a mix of students and faculty, was thoroughly captivated, leaving the lecture inspired by the potential of astrobiological research to redefine our understanding of life. Dr. Walker’s discussion underscored Oregon State University's commitment to nurturing scientific inquiry that pushes the boundaries of traditional disciplines and explores new frontiers in science, continuing the visionary spirit of Dr. Tsoo King.
