Eleanor Rose Conway

Eleanor Rose Conway is an American astrophysicist and prominent science communicator renowned for her pioneering research on the atmospheric composition of exoplanets. Her work, primarily conducted at the Space Telescope Science Institute and later at the California Institute of Technology, has significantly advanced the understanding of biosignature detection in distant planetary systems. Conway is also celebrated for her extensive public engagement, having served as a host for PBS's *Nova* and authored the bestselling book *Starlight Guests*.

Early life and education

Born in Boston, Conway developed an early fascination with astronomy during visits to the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. She pursued her undergraduate studies in physics at Harvard University, graduating *summa cum laude* in 2000. Awarded a Rhodes Scholarship, she then attended the University of Oxford, where she earned a Master of Science and later a Doctor of Philosophy in astrophysics under the supervision of renowned astronomer Didier Queloz. Her doctoral thesis, which analyzed data from the CoRoT space telescope, formed the foundation for her subsequent research on gas giant exoplanets.

Career

Conway began her professional career as a postdoctoral fellow at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, working closely with the science teams for the Hubble Space Telescope and the then-developing James Webb Space Telescope. In 2010, she joined the faculty of the California Institute of Technology as an assistant professor, where her research group made key contributions to interpreting spectroscopic data from missions like Kepler and TESS. A pivotal 2014 paper she co-authored in *Nature* on the detection of water vapor in the atmosphere of HD 209458 b was widely cited. Alongside her academic work, she became a leading figure in science communication, hosting several episodes of PBS's *Nova* and serving as a scientific consultant for the National Geographic Society. In 2019, her public service was recognized with the NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal.

Personal life

Conway is married to Michael Thorne, a professor of geology at Stanford University; the couple resides in Pasadena, California. An avid mountaineer, she has summited major peaks including Denali and the Matterhorn, often drawing parallels between exploration on Earth and in space. She is a trustee of the Planetary Society and actively supports the SETI Institute and initiatives to increase diversity in STEM fields, frequently speaking at events for the Society of Women Engineers.

Legacy

Eleanor Rose Conway's interdisciplinary research has fundamentally shaped the methodologies used to characterize exoplanet atmospheres, directly influencing the observational strategies for the James Webb Space Telescope. Her ability to translate complex astrophysical concepts for the public, through television, her bestselling book *Starlight Guests*, and frequent lectures at institutions like the American Museum of Natural History, has inspired a generation of students. The American Astronomical Society's early-career Annie Jump Cannon Award, which she received in 2015, underscores her lasting impact on both the scientific community and the broader public understanding of the cosmos.

Category:American astrophysicists Category:American science communicators Category:1978 births Category:Living people