Michael Wong
@miquai.bsky.social
Planetary scientist by day 🪐 podcaster by night 🎙 photographer at all times 📷 philosopher in my dreams 💭 https://miquai.myportfolio.com/
Pinned
Time’s Second Arrow is one of Apple Books’ most anticipated books of winter 2026! Pre-order your copy today! wwnorton.com/books/978132...
I'll be co-convening four sessions at #AbSciCon26 on topics ranging from AI-driven discovery to the origins of life to the intersection of astrobiology and philosophy.
Please consider submitting your abstracts to any and all of them!
Please consider submitting your abstracts to any and all of them!
November 24, 2025 at 7:35 PM
I'll be co-convening four sessions at #AbSciCon26 on topics ranging from AI-driven discovery to the origins of life to the intersection of astrobiology and philosophy.
Please consider submitting your abstracts to any and all of them!
Please consider submitting your abstracts to any and all of them!
“In life you have to learn to count the good days. You have to tuck them in your pocket and carry them around with you. So I’m putting today in my pocket and I’m off to bed.”
—Richard Osman
—Richard Osman
November 24, 2025 at 7:32 AM
“In life you have to learn to count the good days. You have to tuck them in your pocket and carry them around with you. So I’m putting today in my pocket and I’m off to bed.”
—Richard Osman
—Richard Osman
Reposted by Michael Wong
One of the great things about being a scientist with an interview-style podcast is that I get to "play dumb" and ask questions that I'm supposed to know the answer to. Nobody has to know whether I actually do know the answer.
November 22, 2025 at 4:32 PM
One of the great things about being a scientist with an interview-style podcast is that I get to "play dumb" and ask questions that I'm supposed to know the answer to. Nobody has to know whether I actually do know the answer.
Reposted by Michael Wong
Organic Geochemical Evidence For Life In Archean Rocks Identified By Pyrolysis–GC–MS and Supervised Machine Learning
astrobiology.com/2025/11/orga... #astrobiology #tricorder #AI #biosignature
astrobiology.com/2025/11/orga... #astrobiology #tricorder #AI #biosignature
Organic Geochemical Evidence For Life In Archean Rocks Identified By Pyrolysis–GC–MS and Supervised Machine Learning - Astrobiology
To tackle this problem, we analyzed 406 diverse ancient and modern samples and used supervised machine learning to discriminate samples of biogenic vs. abiogenic origin
astrobiology.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Organic Geochemical Evidence For Life In Archean Rocks Identified By Pyrolysis–GC–MS and Supervised Machine Learning
astrobiology.com/2025/11/orga... #astrobiology #tricorder #AI #biosignature
astrobiology.com/2025/11/orga... #astrobiology #tricorder #AI #biosignature
Come for the ancient biomolecules, stay for the wasp nests.
Thanks for covering our latest paper for @sciam.bsky.social, @leebillings.bsky.social!
Thanks for covering our latest paper for @sciam.bsky.social, @leebillings.bsky.social!
Now on @sciam.bsky.social: A machine-learning breakthrough in detecting ancient biomolecules could lift the veil on Earth’s early history—and supercharge the search for alien life.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-u...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/ai-u...
AI Uncovers Oldest-Ever Molecular Evidence of Photosynthesis
A machine-learning breakthrough could lift the veil on Earth’s early history—and supercharge the search for alien life
www.scientificamerican.com
November 21, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Come for the ancient biomolecules, stay for the wasp nests.
Thanks for covering our latest paper for @sciam.bsky.social, @leebillings.bsky.social!
Thanks for covering our latest paper for @sciam.bsky.social, @leebillings.bsky.social!
Reposted by Michael Wong
Dr. Munazza Alam, an assistant astronomer at STScI, was named in The City University of New York's 50 Under 50 alumni awards in 2025. Each year the school celebrates a class of distinguished graduates who have made headway in their respective fields over the past year. 👏
Munazza Alam – The City University of New York
26 Colleges. One University.
www.cuny.edu
November 21, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Dr. Munazza Alam, an assistant astronomer at STScI, was named in The City University of New York's 50 Under 50 alumni awards in 2025. Each year the school celebrates a class of distinguished graduates who have made headway in their respective fields over the past year. 👏
Thanks for covering our recent scientific findings in the @economist.com, @eaterofsun.bsky.social!
I wrote this short piece www.economist.com/science-and-... about this interesting paper
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
A better way to look for signs of ancient biology
It could also be useful in finding life on other planets
www.economist.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Thanks for covering our recent scientific findings in the @economist.com, @eaterofsun.bsky.social!
“Ancient rocks are full of interesting puzzles that tell us the story of life on Earth, but a few of the pieces are always missing. Pairing chemical analysis and machine learning has revealed biological clues about ancient life that were previously invisible.”
—Katie Maloney
—Katie Maloney
Unexpected Evidence of Life Found in 3.3-Billion-Year-Old Rocks Using AI
Learn how researchers traced chemical evidence of early life in ancient rocks and found signs of photosynthesis nearly a billion years earlier than expected.
www.discovermagazine.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:22 PM
“Ancient rocks are full of interesting puzzles that tell us the story of life on Earth, but a few of the pieces are always missing. Pairing chemical analysis and machine learning has revealed biological clues about ancient life that were previously invisible.”
—Katie Maloney
—Katie Maloney
Hey, that's our study! 😄
Using a machine learning technique that compares molecular fingerprints left behind by living organisms, researchers have detected signs of photosynthetic life in rocks 2.5 billion years old— about 800 million years older than previously confirmed evidence cen.acs.org/physical-che... #chemsky 🧪
Researchers report earliest molecular evidence of photosynthetic life
Machine learning analysis of bimolecular fragments pushes back time frame for detection of life
cen.acs.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Hey, that's our study! 😄
Time’s Second Arrow is one of Apple Books’ most anticipated books of winter 2026! Pre-order your copy today! wwnorton.com/books/978132...
November 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Time’s Second Arrow is one of Apple Books’ most anticipated books of winter 2026! Pre-order your copy today! wwnorton.com/books/978132...
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been much more interested in what was above my head than what was below my feet. But this project showed me that looking down and back in time can be an important step toward the future of how we study worlds beyond.
New PNAS study shows that life’s signature lingers in rocks long after the original biomolecules are gone. Hazen, Wong (@miquai.bsky.social) & Prabhu (@anirudhprabhu.bsky.social) found chemical traces of ancient life in 3.3 BYO rocks.
Let’s get into it. (1/6)
👉 carnegiescience.edu/chemical-evi...
Let’s get into it. (1/6)
👉 carnegiescience.edu/chemical-evi...
Chemical evidence of ancient life detected in 3.3-billion-year-old rocks
New study shows life’s signature still exists in rocks long after the original biomolecules are gone.
carnegiescience.edu
November 18, 2025 at 8:03 PM
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always been much more interested in what was above my head than what was below my feet. But this project showed me that looking down and back in time can be an important step toward the future of how we study worlds beyond.
We haven’t yet, but I’d absolutely love to!
November 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
We haven’t yet, but I’d absolutely love to!
This discussion is based on our brand-new paper: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Organic geochemical evidence for life in Archean rocks identified by pyrolysis–GC–MS and supervised machine learning | PNAS
Throughout Earth’s history, organic molecules from both abiogenic and biogenic sources
have been buried in sedimentary rocks. Most of these organic...
www.pnas.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:42 PM
This discussion is based on our brand-new paper: www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
Reposted by Michael Wong
A must listen…!
New podcast episode! 🪨🧪🤖🎙🖖
Dr. @anirudhprabhu.bsky.social joins me to discuss how we use machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the "whispers" of life—specifically photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
Dr. @anirudhprabhu.bsky.social joins me to discuss how we use machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the "whispers" of life—specifically photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
Episode 192: Whispers of Life in Ancient Rocks
Guest: Dr. Anirudh Prabhu
Mike brings aboard Dr. Anirudh Prabhu to discuss an exciting new study of theirs that uses machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the
soundcloud.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
A must listen…!
New podcast episode! 🪨🧪🤖🎙🖖
Dr. @anirudhprabhu.bsky.social joins me to discuss how we use machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the "whispers" of life—specifically photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
Dr. @anirudhprabhu.bsky.social joins me to discuss how we use machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the "whispers" of life—specifically photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
Episode 192: Whispers of Life in Ancient Rocks
Guest: Dr. Anirudh Prabhu
Mike brings aboard Dr. Anirudh Prabhu to discuss an exciting new study of theirs that uses machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the
soundcloud.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:43 PM
New podcast episode! 🪨🧪🤖🎙🖖
Dr. @anirudhprabhu.bsky.social joins me to discuss how we use machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the "whispers" of life—specifically photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
Dr. @anirudhprabhu.bsky.social joins me to discuss how we use machine learning trained on organic chemical data to detect the "whispers" of life—specifically photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
Our new biosignatures paper is out in @pnas.org! This time we're using machine learning trained on organic chemical data to identify signs of life—including photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
Organic geochemical evidence for life in Archean rocks identified by pyrolysis–GC–MS and supervised machine learning | PNAS
Throughout Earth’s history, organic molecules from both abiogenic and biogenic sources
have been buried in sedimentary rocks. Most of these organic...
www.pnas.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Our new biosignatures paper is out in @pnas.org! This time we're using machine learning trained on organic chemical data to identify signs of life—including photosynthetic life—in ancient rocks.
#OverheardOnZoom: "Sometimes the less you know about something, the more you yell about it."
November 17, 2025 at 8:15 PM
#OverheardOnZoom: "Sometimes the less you know about something, the more you yell about it."
Thanks, Dr. @calebscharf.bsky.social, for visiting @carnegiescience.bsky.social earlier this month to share why space is the next frontier in the evolution of life!
📷 Katy Cain / Carnegie Science
📷 Katy Cain / Carnegie Science
November 16, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Thanks, Dr. @calebscharf.bsky.social, for visiting @carnegiescience.bsky.social earlier this month to share why space is the next frontier in the evolution of life!
📷 Katy Cain / Carnegie Science
📷 Katy Cain / Carnegie Science
#OverheardOnZoom: "I can't say no to someone with such a cool Zoom background."
November 14, 2025 at 8:15 PM
#OverheardOnZoom: "I can't say no to someone with such a cool Zoom background."
This is lunacy. The Chinese scholars I know are among the hardest working, most selfless people I've ever encountered. They want to contribute to our intellectual endeavors, and they make our research teams better.
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
This is lunacy. The Chinese scholars I know are among the hardest working, most selfless people I've ever encountered. They want to contribute to our intellectual endeavors, and they make our research teams better.
Book swap with Professor @dagomardegroot.bsky.social, whose new book “Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean” tells the story of how environmental change throughout the cosmos has shaped human civilization 💫📖
November 14, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Book swap with Professor @dagomardegroot.bsky.social, whose new book “Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean” tells the story of how environmental change throughout the cosmos has shaped human civilization 💫📖
#OverheardOnZoom: "Try not to miss the random forest for the trees."
November 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
#OverheardOnZoom: "Try not to miss the random forest for the trees."
Reposted by Michael Wong
Great to join @miquai.bsky.social and the folks at @carnegiescience.bsky.social this morning to talk about Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean and, among other things, the existential risk of #SolarStorms. Check out Mike’s forthcoming book - an argument for a new force of nature! #Space
November 13, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Great to join @miquai.bsky.social and the folks at @carnegiescience.bsky.social this morning to talk about Ripples on the Cosmic Ocean and, among other things, the existential risk of #SolarStorms. Check out Mike’s forthcoming book - an argument for a new force of nature! #Space
Reposted by Michael Wong
New video! My full presentation about The Giant Leap to a live audience at @carnegiescience.bsky.social is now online! We grappled with science, philosophy, and the meaning of life! www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG1V...
The Giant Leap
YouTube video by Carnegie Science
www.youtube.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
New video! My full presentation about The Giant Leap to a live audience at @carnegiescience.bsky.social is now online! We grappled with science, philosophy, and the meaning of life! www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG1V...