Wolf Geppert, Dr.

Wolf Geppert image

Director of Studies

Stockholm University
AlbaNova University Center
Department of Physics
Molecular Physics Division
S-10691 Stockholm
Sweden

(Visiting address: Roslagstullbacken 21)

Phone: ++46-(0)8-55378649
Fax: ++46-(0)8-55378601


Background

After my undergraduate studies at the University of Vienna (where my M. Sc. thesis focused on radiolysis of chlorinated aromatic compounds in water), I embarked on a Ph.D. course in physical chemistry, working in the field of spectroscopy of van der Waals-clusters of phenols at the University of York (UK). In 1999 I joined the European TMR Network "Astrochemistry" and have been working in this subject since then– and not been looking back. Performing first research into molecular dynamics of reactions of atomic carbon with different hydrocarbons I then switched to the investigation on astrophysically important ion-electron reactions, since I had obtained a Marie Curie Individual Fellowship at Stockholm University. In this field I am still active and currently hold a Senior Researcher's position funded by the Swedish Research Council.

Research Group

http://www.mol.physto.se/index2.htm

Interests Within Astrobiology

My own interests focus on the following questions: To which extent can biomolecules and their precursors be formed already in space and from which stage of the biochemical evolution planetary conditions are necessary? Furthermore: Is there a possibility to synthesise the basic building stones of life already under very extreme conditions.

Interesting new results and observations have been obtained from space missions (e.g. m nitrogen-containing compounds that could serve as biomolecule precursors have been detected by the Cassini-Huygens mission in a much higher abundance than previously expected). These findings could deliver new insights into the primeval solar system and the origin of life on our own planet.

Some Key Papers Within Astrobiology

Dissociative recombination of protonated methanol.
W. D. Geppert, M. Hamberg, R. D. Thomas, F. Österdahl, F. Hellberg, V. Zhaunerchyk, A. Ehlerding, T. J. Millar, H. Roberts, J. Semaniak, M. af Ugglas, A. Källberg, A., Simonsson, M. Kaminska, M. Larsson;
Faraday Discussions, 133, 177 (2006)

Dissociative recombination of nitrile ions: DCCCN+ and DCCCND+.
W. D. Geppert, A. Ehlerding, F. Hellberg, J. Semaniak, F. Österdahl, M. Kaminska, A. Al-Khalili, V. Zhaunerchyk, R. Thomas, M. af Ugglas, A. Källberg, A. Simonsson, M. Larsson;
Astrophys. J., 613, 1302 (2004)

Faculty

Postdocs

PhD Students