Chris received his Ph.D. in AstroGeophysics from the University of Colorado in 1982 and has been a research scientist with the NASA Ames Research Center since then. His current research focuses on the evolution of the solar system and the origin of life. He is also actively involved in planning for future Mars missions, including eventual human missions. Chris been involved in research in Mars-like environments on Earth, traveling to the Antarctic dry valleys, Siberia, the Canadian Arctic, and the Atacama Desert to study life in these harsh locales. He has been or is currently a co-Investigator on the Titan Huygens probe in 2005, the recently-landed Phoenix Mars Lander mission, and the Mars Science Lander mission for 2009.

Dr. McKay has won numerous NASA awards, including the 2004 NASA Exceptional Leadership Medal, the 2004 NASA Group Achievement Award - ARES project, the 2005 NASA Ames Honor Award - Mentor, and many others. McKay has authored numerous technical papers and serves in leadership positions with many professional organizations.

To hear the latest results of Dr. McKay's research, join us at the 11th Annual International Convention at the University of Colorado at Boulder, August 14-17, 2008.

REGISTER NOW FOR A SPECTACULAR CONVENTION!
WHERE: Back to where it all began in 1998: University Memorial Center, University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.
WHEN: August 14-17, 2008
REGISTRATION: Available online
HOTEL INFORMATION: Available online
SPEAKERS: We have an impressive list of knowledgeable, inspiring speakers already scheduled:

• J. Michael Straczynski (Creator of Babylon 5)
• Elon Musk (Founder and CEO of SpaceX)
• Dr. Jim Garvin (Chief Scientist, NASA Goddard)
• Dr. Carolyn Porco (Cassini Imaging Team Leader)
• Dr. Chris McKay (NASA Ames Research Center)
• Dr. Carol Stoker (NASA Ames Research Center)
• Dr. Bill Clancey (NASA Ames Research Center)
• Dr. Matt Mountain (Director of the Space Telescope Science Institute)
• Geoffrey Yoder (NASA - Director, Directorate Integration Office - Exploration Systems Mission Directorate)
• Joe Cassady (Aerojet: Director for Business Development in Emerging Space markets)
• George Whitesides (Executive Director, National Space Society)
• Dr. Robert Zubrin (President and Founder, The Mars Society)
• Dr. Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) Tentative
• Brother Guy Consolmagno (Vatican Observatory; Curator, Vatican Meteorite Collection)
• Dr. Ted Peters (Co-Editor: Theology and Science; The CTNS Journal of Science and Religion)
• Dr. David Spires (Senior Instructor, University of Washington)
• Dr. Michael Simpson (President, International Space University)