UT Grad Beams Up for Astrobiology

May 8, 2025 by ljudy

Starry nights inspire Opal Cianciolo for a career in planetary sciences.

Opal Cianciolo traces her inspiration to study astrobiology directly to a lifelong affinity for starry nights and Star Trek.

The Knoxville native and Hardin Valley High School alumna boldly reached for those stars and completes her four-year undergraduate mission in the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Planetary Sciences (EEPS)—with a second major in physics (astronomy concentration)—at the spring 2025 commencement ceremony.

Cianciolo first engaged her interstellar interests during cross-country camping trips with her “very outdoorsy” family, visiting natural wonders from the Badlands to the Grand Canyon to the Grand Tetons and more.

“No matter where we were, the thing that never changed was the night sky,” said Cianciolo. “I always loved to gaze out of the tent and see the constellations make their effortless dance around Polaris (the North Star). Some of my earliest and most foundational memories were on these trips.”

She imagined that those stars could also have other Earths revolving around them, and that another kid on one of those planets might be looking back in her direction.

“That thought was the spark that started me towards astrobiology,” she said. “And that spark was fueled by the world’s greatest television show: Star Trek. It changed the world with its revolutionary portrayal of the future, and it also changed me—a little girl who wanted nothing more than explore the distant stars and ‘seek out new life and new civilizations.’”

Enthusiasm Inspires Research

Cianciolo incorporated her fascination into a high-school research project on the Fermi Paradox, a concept that the universe should be teeming with extraterrestrial life—but why do we not encounter these lifeforms? One accepted answer is that natural disasters or cultural impediments could prevent intelligent alien civilizations from reaching the ability for space travel. The odds of someday finding life out there did not seem good.

“I was researching all of this for class, and quickly my dreams of a Star Trek type universe were fading,” said Cianciolo.

Then Cianciolo saw a newspaper interview with Linda Kah, the Kenneth R. Walker Professor in EEPS, who was highlighted for her work as a co-investigator with the Mars 2020 Perseverance science team.

“As part of my research paper, I reached out to Professor Kah,” said Cianciolo. “I got to ask her about the paleo-habitability of Mars. My dreams were quickly rekindled hearing her excitedly talk about lakes on Mars during a time when life on Earth was first developing.”

Cianciolo knew that she wanted to work in Kah’s lab when she came to UT, and got the chance as a sophomore, further realizing her childhood dreams of searching the stars for life while working on multiple undergraduate research projects, two of these as part of the NASA Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover team.

“She has been one of the top students in every course she has taken in our department,” said Kah. “On top of this, she is truly loved by our whole department.”

Cianciolo avidly returns the appreciation.

“Linda—who refused to let me call her Dr. Kah—was the best mentor, advisor, and professor I could have asked for,” said Cianciolo. “I got to look at real photos taken by the Perseverance rover and officially become a member of the Mars 2020 science team and a NASA affiliate. I knew for sure I had the coolest job on campus!”

Cianciolo dug deep into research projects on Martian geology, took opportunities for international fieldwork, and presented research at major conferences like the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston.

“I was nervous to be performing real research, but Linda always helped me see that my work was important and that I was a valued member of her team,” said Cianciolo. “She invited me to Paris for the Mars 2020 science team meeting, where I got to meet scientists of all backgrounds and disciplines and listen to all the new research. Everyone was so supportive—eventually what started as something I was afraid of became something I took pride in: I am an undergrad researcher!”

Climbing Walls and Career Plans

Outside of the lab, Cianciolo connected to the wider Big Orange community by working at the VolWall, UT’s campus climbing gym, where she took on a role as student supervisor. The experience increased her confidence in her leadership skills, and led to the opportunity to help organize and run the annual Rocky Top Climbing Competition.

“My time there and my incredible team helped me build up the experience and confidence to make this happen,” she said. “The VolWall has been a space where I feel at home.”

Cianciolo also took a volunteer opportunity at the Muse Knoxville interactive children’s science museum. She found new inspiration while speaking to a kindergarten class about the solar system and what it is like to be an astronomer.

“I was hooked immediately,” said Cianciolo. “The kids were so curious about the nature of space and asked such amazing questions, some that I hadn’t even thought to ask before.”

She recognized her own curiosity in their questions and now looks to share her knowledge and enthusiasm through science education.

“After graduation I am very excited to work towards becoming a high school science teacher,” said Cianciolo. “I hope to inspire the next generation of planetary scientists!”

By Randall Brown