Andrew D. Czaja , Ph.D.

Precambrian Paleobiology, Astrobiology, and Biogeochemistry: Early evolution of life on Earth; Archean fossil record of South Africa and Australia; geologic record of microbial metabolic evolution; Mesoproterozoic terrestrial microbial ecosystems; kerogen geochemistry; in situ morphological and geochemical analyses of Precambrian microfossils.

Ph.D.: University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles, CA, 2006 (Geology (concentration: Paleobiology))

B.S.: University of Connecticut Storrs, CT, 1998 (Environmental Science and Biology)

2012 -2018 Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati, Dept. of Geology, Cincinnati, OH

2008 -2012 Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Dept. of Geoscience, Madison, WI

2007 - Lecturer, University of California, Los Angeles, Dept. of Earth, Planetary, and Space Sciences, Los Angeles, CA

2006 -2007 Lecturer, California State University, Fullerton, Dept. of Geological Sciences, Fullerton, CA

2018 -To Present Associate Professor, University of Cincinnati, Dept. of Geology, Cincinnati, OH

Grant: #URC Interdisciplinary AY2016-17 Investigators:Czaja, Andrew 03-28-2017 -06-30-2018 UC Water Quality and Its Impact on Pre-Industrial Civilization: Diatom, Microbiome and Microbotanical Analyses of Reservoir Sediments from the Ancient Maya City of Tikal Role:PI $49,838.00 Completed Level:University

Grant: #PaleoSoc2016 Investigators:Czaja, Andrew 10-14-2016 -10-15-2017 The Paleontological Society 5th Annual Midwest Geobiology Symposium Role:PI $1,000.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #BCS-1642547 Investigators:Czaja, Andrew; Dunning, Nicholas; Hamilton, Trinity; Lentz, David; Scarborough, Vernon 09-01-2016 -08-31-2017 National Science Foundation Novel Molecular and Geochemical Analyses of Reservoir Sediments at the Ancient Maya City of Tikal Role:Collaborator $34,937.00 Completed

Grant: #OSGC Student-Innovative-Creative-Hands-on Project (SICHOP) grant Investigators:Czaja, Andrew; Diefendorf, Aaron; Hamilton, Trinity; Havig, Jeff 06-06-2016 -12-31-2016 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Midwest Geobiology Conference Role:Collaborator $2,000.00 Awarded Level:Federal

Grant: #GRANT #W323-14 Investigators:Czaja, Andrew 06-09-2014 -05-31-2015 National Geographic Society Exploration of the 2.5-billion-year-old Biosphere of South Africa. Role:PI $10,680.00 Awarded Level:Private Non-Profit

Grant: #80NSSCZ0K0237 Investigators:Czaja, Andrew 11-05-2019 -11-04-2023 NASA Headquarters Searching for morphological and geochemical biosignatures on Mars to return to Earth Role:PI $91,027.00 Active Type:Grant Level:National

Grant: #EAR-2029521 Investigators:Czaja, Andrew 09-15-2020 -08-31-2023 National Science Foundation Life on an oxidizing planet: Microbial ecosystems of a Neoarchean carbonate platform Role:PI $311,760.00 Active Type:Grant Level:National

Grant: #Cost-Reimbursable Subcontract (CREI) Investigators:Czaja, Andy 11-01-2024 -09-27-2026 NASA Headquarters Contribute to the Mars 2020 mission Role:PI 60138.82 Hold Level:Federal

Grant: #2029521 / NNH20ZDA001N-EXO Investigators:Czaja, Andrew 12-16-2020 -12-15-2024 NASA Headquarters Oxidizing Oases in the Paleoarchean Moodies Group, Barberton Greenstone Belt, South Africa Role:Co-I $431,270.00 Active Type:Grant Level:National

Investigators:Andrew D. Czaja 2019 -2024 NASA Mars 2020 Participating Scientist Program Searching for morphological and geochemical biosignatures on Mars to return to Earth Role:PI $439,000 Active Type:Grant Level:National

Published Abstracts

Czaja, A. D.; Johnson, C. M.; Beard, B. L.; Van Kranendonk, M. J. (2010. ) Iron isotopes reveal an abiological origin for a 2.75 Ga BIF from the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia .[Abstract]Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 74 (12, S1 ) ,A201

Czaja, A. D.; Kudryavtsev, A. B.; Cody, G. D.; Schopf, J. W. (2008. ) Similar fossil ferns having dissimilar organic geochemical preservation .[Abstract]Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 72 (12, S1 ) ,A193

Czaja, A. D. (2006. ) Spectroscopic analysis of the thermal alteration of permineralized organic matter .[Abstract]Origins of Life and Evolution of the Biosphere, 36 (3 ) ,311

Czaja, A. D.; Cody, G. D.; Schopf, J. W. (2004. ) Turning ferns into fossils: biogeochemical alchemy .[Abstract]PaleoBios, 24 (S1 ) ,1–2

Czaja, A. D.; Cody, G. D.; Schopf, J. W. (2004. ) Turning ferns into fossils: biogeochemical alchemy .[Abstract]International Journal of Astrobiology, 3 (Suppl. S1 ) ,27

Peer Reviewed Publications

Vrazo, M.B., Diefendorf, A.F., Crowley, B.E., and Czaja, A.D. (2018. ) Late Cretaceous marine arthropods relied on terrestrial organic matter as a food source: geochemical evidence from the Coon Creek lagerstätte in the Mississippian embayment.Geobiology, , 16 ,160–178 More Information

Guo, Z., Peng, X., Czaja, A.D., Chen, S., and Ta, K. (2018. ) Cellular taphonomy of well-preserved Gaoyuzhuang microfossils: a window into the preservation of ancient cyanobacteria.Precambrian Research, , 304 ,88–98 More Information

Muscente, A.D., Czaja, A.D., Tuggle, J., Winkler, C., and Xiao, S. (2018. ) Manganese oxides resembling microbial fabrics and their implications for recognizing inorganically preserved microfossils.Astrobiology, , 18 (3 ) ,249–258 More Information

Czaja, A.D., Van Kranendonk, M.J., Beard, B.L., and Johnson, C.M. (2018. ) A multistage origin for Neoarchean layered hematite-magnetite BIF from the Weld Range, Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia.Chemical Geology, , 488 ,125–137 More Information

Smith, A.J.B., Beukes, N.J., Gutzmer, J., Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., and Nhleko, N. (2017. ) Oncoidal granular iron formation in the Mesoarchaean Pongola Supergroup, southern Africa: Textural and geochemical evidence for biological activity during iron deposition.Geobiology, , 15 ,731–749 More Information

Kang, J., Czaja, A.D., and Guliants, V.V. (2017. ) Carbon dioxide as feedstock in selective oxidation of propane.European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, , 2017 (40 ) ,4757–4762 More Information

Czaja, A.D., Beukes, N.J., and Osterhout, J.T. (2016. ) Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria prior to the Great Oxidation Event from the 2.52 Ga Gamohaan Formation of South Africa.Geology, , 44 (12 ) ,983–986 More Information

d'Abzac, F.-X., Czaja, A.D., Beard, B.L., Schauer, J.J. , and Johnson, C.M. (2014. ) Iron distribution in size-resolved aerosols generated by UV-femtosecond laser ablation: Influence of cell geometry and implications for in situ isotopic determination by LA-MC-ICP-MS .Geostandards and Geoanalytical Research, , 38 (3 ) ,293 -309

Wilmeth, D.T., Dornbos, S.Q., Isbell, J.L., and Czaja, A.D. (2014. ) Putative domal microbial structures in fluvial siliciclastic facies of the Mesoproterozoic (1.09 Ga) Copper Harbor Conglomerate, Upper Peninsula of Michigan, USA .Geobiology, , 12 ,99 -108

d'Abzac, F.-X., Beard, B.L., Czaja, A.D., Konishi, H., Schauer, J., and Johnson, C.M. (2013. ) Iron isotope composition of particles produced by UV-femtosecond laser ablation of natural oxides, sulfides, and carbonates. Analytical Chemistry, , 85 ,11885 -11892

Li, W., Czaja, A.D., Van Kranendonk, M.J., Beard, B.L., Roden, E.E, and Johnson, C.M. (2013. ) An anoxic, Fe(II)-rich, U-poor ocean 3.46 billion years ago .Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, , 120 ,65-79

Shen-Miller, J., Aung, L.H., Turek, J., Schopf, J.W., Tholandi, M., Yang, M., and Czaja, A.D. (2013. ) Centuries-old viable fruits of Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn var. China Antique .Tropical Plant Biology, , 6 (2-3 ) ,53-68

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., Roden, E.E., Li, W., and Moorbath, S. (2013. ) Biological Fe oxidation controlled deposition of banded iron formation in the ca. 3,770 Ma Isua Supracrustal Belt (West Greenland) .Earth and Planetary Science Letters, , 363 ,192-203

Czaja, A. D.; Johnson, C. M.; Roden, E. E.; Beard, B. L.; Voegelin, A. R.; Nägler, T. F.; Beukes, N. J.; Wille, M. (2012. ) Evidence for free oxygen in the Neoarchean ocean based on coupled iron–molybdenum isotope fractionation .Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, , 86 (1–2 ) ,118–137

Czaja, A. D.; Johnson, C. M.; Yamaguchi, K. E.; Beard, B. L. (2012. ) Comment on "Abiotic Pyrite Formation Produces a Large Fe Isotope Fractionation" .Science, , 335 (6068 ) ,538

Czaja, A. D.; Johnson, C. M.; Beard, B. L.; Eigenbrode, J. L.; Freeman, K. H.; Yamaguchi, K. E. (2010. ) Iron and carbon isotope evidence for ecosystem and environmental diversity in the ~2.7 to 2.5 Ga Hamersley Province, Western Australia .Earth and Planetary Science Letters, , 292 (1–2 ) ,170–180

Czaja, A. D.; Kudryavtsev, A. B.; Cody, G. D.; Schopf, J. W. (2009. ) Characterization of permineralized kerogen from an Eocene fossil fern .Organic Geochemistry, , 40 (3 ) ,353–364

Schopf, J. W.; Kudryavtsev, A. B.; Czaja, A. D.; Tripathi, A. B. (2007. ) Evidence of Archean life: stromatolites and microfossils .Precambrian Research, , 158 (3–4 ) ,141–155

Czaja, A. D.; Kudryavtsev, A. B.; Schopf, J. W. (2006. ) New method for the microscopic, nondestructive acquisition of ultraviolet resonance Raman spectra from plant cell walls .Applied Spectroscopy, , 60 (4 ) ,352–355

Schopf, J. W.; Kudryavtsev, A. B.; Agresti, D. G.; Czaja, A. D.; Wdowiak, T. J. (2005. ) Raman imagery: a new approach to assess the geochemical maturity and biogenicity of permineralized Precambrian fossils .Astrobiology, , 5 (3 ) ,333–371

Jones, C. S.; Cardon, Z. G.; Czaja, A. D. (2003. ) A phylogenetic view of low-level CAM in Pelargonium (Geraniaceae) .American Journal of Botany, , 90 (1 ) ,135–142

Schopf, J. W.; Kudryavtsev, A. B.; Agresti, D. G.; Wdowiak, T. J.; Czaja, A. D. (2002. ) Images of the Earth's earliest fossils? Reply .Nature, , 420 (3 ) ,477

Schopf, J. W.; Kudryavtsev, A. B.; Agresti, D. G.; Wdowiak, T. J.; Czaja, A. D. (2002. ) Laser-Raman imagery of Earth's earliest fossils .Nature, , 416 (3 ) ,73–76

Cardon, Z. G.; Czaja, A. D.; Funk, J. L.; Vitt, P. L. (2002. ) Periodic carbon flushing to roots of Quercus rubra saplings affects soil respiration and rhizosphere microbial biomass .Oecologia, , 133 ,215–233

Invited Publications

Czaja, A. D. (2010. ) Microbes and the rise of oxygen, .Nature Geoscience,, 3 ((3): ) ,522–523

Czaja, A. D. (2010. ) Review of "Astrobiology of Earth: The Emergence, Evolution, and Future of Life on a Planet in Turmoil", by Joseph Gale, .Quarterly Review of Biology,, 85 ((1): ) ,88

Book Chapter

Schopf, J. W.; Kudryaytsev, A. B.; Tripathi, A. B.; Czaja, A. D. (2011 ) Three-Dimensional Morphological (CLSM) and Chemical (Raman) Imagery of Cellularly Mineralized Fossils Taphonomy: Process and Bias Through Time, 2nd Ed. (pp. 457 -486).New York, Springer

Encyclopedia Article

Muscente, A.D., Czaja, A.D., Riedman, L.A., and Colleary, C. (2017. ) Encyclopedia of Geochemistry .White, W.M., Ed., Springer International Publishing

Invited Presentations

Czaja, A.D. (2018. ) Discovering the Mars 2020 Rover .UC Alumni Weekend, Explore UC program, University of Cincinnati. Level:University

Czaja, A.D. (2017. ) Geological fieldwork on another world: plans for Mars sample return and the search for extraterrestrial life .UC Undergraduate Astronomy Club meeting, University of Cincinnati. Level:University

Czaja, A.D. (2017. ) Selecting a field work site from 50 million kilometers away: the landing site selection process for the Mars 2020 mission .Department of Geography Colloquium Series, University of Cincinnati. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D. (2017. ) Mission to Mars: the landing site selection process for the Mars 2020 mission .College of Arts & Sciences, Dean’s Advisory Board Meeting , University of Cincinnati. Level:College

Czaja, A.D. (2017. ) Micron-scale organic geochemical and fluorescence imaging of Earth's most ancient life .UC School of Design, Art, Architecture, and Planning, Architecture colloquium, University of Cincinnati. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D. (2017. ) Sulfur oxidation, biodiversity, and oxygenation in the Archean .Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Geobiology Seminar, Harvard University. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D. (2016. ) Life in the Archean: Increasing the diversity .Department of Geological Sciences Colloquium, Ohio University. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D. (2016. ) Life in the Archean: Increasing the diversity .Department of Geology, Palmer Lecture Series, Kent State University. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D. (2015. ) Life in the Archean: Increasing the diversity .School of Geosciences Colloquium, University of South Florida. Level:College

Czaja, A.D. (2014. ) Possible large planktonic fossil microbes preserved in Neoarchean deep water sediments .Department of Geosciences Colloquium, Virginia Tech. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D. (2013. ) Geochemical and paleontological evidence for photosynthesis on the early Earth .Microbial Diversity Summer Course, Marine Biological Lab, Woods Hole, MA. Level:National

Czaja, A.D. (2013. ) Micron-scale organic geochemical and morphological analyses of Earth's ancient biosphere .School of Energy, Environment, Biological and Medical Engineering Colloquium, University of Cincinnati. Level:College

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Roden, E.E., Beard, B.L., Voegelin, A.R., Nägler, T.F., Beukes, N.J., and Wille, M. (2011. ) Evidence for significant free oxygen in the ocean prior to the Paleoproterozoic Great Oxidation Event .Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences Colloquium, University of Illinois, Chicago. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Roden, E.E., Beard, B.L., Voegelin, A.R., Nägler, T.F., Beukes, N.J., and Wille, M. (2011. ) Evidence for significant free oxygen in the ocean prior to the ~2.4 Ga Great Oxidation Event .Deparment of Geoscience Weeks Lecture, University of Wisconsin, Madison. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Roden, E.E., Beard, B.L., Voegelin, A.R., Nägler, T.F., Beukes, N.J., and Wille, M. (2011. ) Evidence for free oxygen in the Neoarchean ocean .Gordon Research Conference on Geobiology, Ventura, CA. Level:International

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., Eigenbrode, J.L., Freeman, K.H., and Yamaguchi, K.E. (2009. ) Iron and carbon isotope evidence for ecosystem and environmental diversity in the ~2.7 to 2.5 Ga Hamersley Province, Western Australia .Department of Geosciences Colloquium, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D., Kudryavtsev, A.B., Cody, G.D., and Schopf, J.W. (2006. ) Understanding the paleobiological afterlife: a modern approach to an ancient problem .Division of Geological and Planetary Science GeoClub Seminar, California Insitute of Technology. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D., Kudryavtsev, A.B., Cody, G.D., and Schopf, J. W. (2006. ) Understanding the paleobiological afterlife: a spectroscopic comparison of modern and permineralized plant axes .Carnegie Institution of Washington, Washinton, D.C.. Level:Department

Czaja, A.D., Cody, G.D., and Schopf, J.W. (2004. ) Illuminating the black box that is fossil kerogen .NASA Astrobiology Institute Forum for Astrobiological Research seminar series, Los Angeles, CA. Level:National

Poster Presentations

Czaja AD, Osterhout, JT, and Gangidine, AJ (2018. ) Mineralogical control of organic matter thermal alteration: Implications for biosignature preservation in returned martian samples .2nd International Mars Sample Return Conference, Berlin, Germany. . Level:International

Perfetta C, Czaja AD, and Lentz D (2017. ) Contaminated water and the collapse of the ancient Maya: Microbiome analyses of reservoir sediments from Tikal .Undergraduate Research Forum, University of Cincinnati. . Level:University

Gangidine AJ, Czaja AD, and Havig J (2016. ) Developing a trace element biosignature in modern and ancient silica deposits – implications for the search for ancient life on Mars .Fifth Annual Midwest Geobiology Symposium, Cincinnati, OH. . Level:Regional

Vrazo MB, Diefendorf AF, Crowley BE, and Czaja AD (2016. ) Late Cretaceous marine arthropods relied on terrestrial organic matter as a food source: geochemical evidence from the Coon Creek lagerstätte in the Mississippian embayment .Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO. . Level:National

Lorber KN, Czaja AD, and Lee P (2016. ) Variations in Biosignature Preservation: Geochemical Analysis of Kerogen Comparing Two Mars Analog Environments .Biosignature Preservation and Detection in Mars Analog Environments Conference, Lake Tahoe, NV. . Level:National

Osterhout JT and Czaja AD (2016. ) Organic geochemistry of a 1.4-billion-year-old evaporitic lake: insights for the Mars 2020 SHERLOC instrument .Biosignature Preservation and Detection in Mars Analog Environments Conference, Lake Tahoe, NV. . Level:National

Holbrook C, Czaja AD, and Boolchand P (2015. ) Topological phases in modified oxides .14th International Conference on the Physics of Non-Crystalline Solids, Niagra Falls, NY. . Level:National

Holbrook C, Boolchand P, and Czaja AD (2015. ) Onset of rigidity and thresholds in physical properties of barium-borate glasses .XXIV International Materials Research Congress, Cancun, Mexico. . Level:International

Holbrook C, Boolchand P, and Czaja AD (2015. ) Topological phases in Ba-borate glasses .American Physical Society March Meeting, San Antonio, TX. . Level:National

Czaja AD, Osterhout JT, and Beukes NJ (2015. ) Fossil evidence of possible contributors to the Great Oxidation Event: Exceptionally large Neoarchean microfossils from South Africa .Fourth Annual Midwest Geobiology Symposium, Bloomington, IN. . Level:Regional

Czaja AD, Osterhout JT, and Beukes NJ (2015. ) Large planktonic microfossils preserved in a deep water facies of the 2.52-Ga-old Gamohaan Formation, South Africa .NASA Astrobiology Science Conference, Chicago, IL. . Level:National

Czaja AD, Lorber KN, Beukes NJ (2014. ) Filamentous microfossils from the Neoarchean Gamohaan Formation of South Africa: Implications for the history of photoautotrophy .Origins2014 Meeting, Nara, Japan. . Level:International

Lorber KN, and Czaja AD (2014. ) Investigation of Archean microfossil preservation for defining science objectives for Mars sample return missions .American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting, San Francisco, CA. . Level:National

Lorber KN, and Czaja AD (2014. ) Current and future technologies employed in the search for Precambrian fossils with possible implications for astrobiology .Gordon Research Conference on the Origin of Life, Galveston, TX. . Level:National

Zambito JJ IV, Benison KC, Czaja AD, and Lorber KN (2013. ) Possibly ubiquitous preservation of microbes in Permian halite .Geological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO. . Professional Meeting. . Level:National

Czaja AD, Johnson CM, Beard BL, and Van Kranendonk MJ (2010. ) Iron isotope evidence for an abiological origin of a BIF from the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia .5th International Archean Symposium, Perth, Western Australia. . Level:International

Czaja AD, Kudryavtsev AB, Cody GD, and Schopf JW (2008. ) Geochemical characterization of permineralized kerogen: similar fossils having dissimilar degrees of preservation .NASA Astrobiology Science Conference, San Jose, CA. . Level:National

Czaja AD and Kudryavtsev AB (2006. ) Raman spectroscopic characterization of the thermal history of permineralized fossils .NASA Astrobiology Science Conference, Washington, DC. . Level:National

Czaja AD (2006. ) Spectroscopic analysis of the thermal alteration of permineralized organic matter .11th International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life Meeting, Tsinghua University, Beijing, PRC. . Level:International

Czaja AD, Kudryavtsev AB, and Cody GD (2005. ) Raman spectroscopic analysis of the thermal alteration of permineralized organic matter .NASA Astrobiology Institute Conference, Boulder, CO. . Level:National

Czaja AD, Cody GD, and Schopf JW (2004. ) Turning ferns into fossils: biogeochemical alchemy .Astrobiology Science Conference, Moffett Field, CA. . Level:National

Czaja AD, Schopf JW, Storrie-Lombardi MC, and Cody GD (2003. ) Multi-spectra analysis of geochemical alteration through natural and artificial fossilization .NASA Astrobiology Institute Conference, Tempe, AZ. . Level:National

Czaja AD, Schopf JW, Storrie-Lombardi MC, Kudryavtsev AB, and Bhartia R (2002. ) Laser Raman spectroscopic analysis of chemical changes caused by fossilization .10th International Society for the Study of the Origin of Life Meeting, Oaxaca, Mexico. . Level:International

Czaja AD, Schopf JW, Storrie-Lombardi MC, Kudryavtsev AB, and Bhartia R (2002. ) Laser Raman spectroscopic analysis of biochemical changes caused by fossilization .Astrobiology Science Conference, Moffett Field, CA. . Level:National

Paper Presentations

Czaja, A.D. (2018. ) Searching for signs of life: Morphological and geochemical biosignatures on Earth (and Mars?) .Galveston, TX. Professional Meeting. Level:International

Czaja, A.D. and Riedman, L.A. (2016. ) Mineralogical control on apparent thermal alteration of ancient organic matter as measured by Raman spectroscopy .Denver, CO. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Osterhout, J.T., and Beukes, N.J. (2015. ) Exceptionally large Neoarchean spheroidal microfossils from South Africa: possible contributors to the GOE .Baltimore, MD. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., and Lorber, K.N. (2014. ) In situ Raman spectroscopy and confocal microscopy of 2.5 billion-year-old fossil microorganisms: viable nondestructive techniques for the study of returned Martian samples .San Francisco, CA. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., Roden, E.E., Li, W., and Moorbath, S. (2013. ) Anoxygenic photosynthesis recorded in 3.8 Ga BIFs of the Isua Supracrustal Belt .Workshop. Level:International

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., and Moorbath, S. (2012. ) Early Archean Fe oxidation revealed by meso- and micron-scale Fe isotope analyses of the 3.7–3.8 Ga Isua BIFs .Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Professional Meeting. Level:International

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., and Beard, B.L. (2012. ) Meso- and micron-scale Fe isotope analyses of the 3.7–3.8 Ga Isua BIFs reveal Early Archean Fe oxidation .Atlanta, GA. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Roden, E.E., Beard, B.L., Voegelin, A.R., Nagler, T.F., Beukes, N.J., and Wille, M. (2011. ) Evidence for free oxygen in the Neoarchean ocean based on coupled iron–molybdenum isotope fractionation .San Francisco, CA. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Roden, E.E., Beard, B.L., Voegelin, A.R., Nagler, T.F., Beukes, N.J., and Wille, M. (2011. ) Evidence for free oxygen in the Neoarchean ocean .Ventura, CA. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., and Van Kranendonk, M.J. (2010. ) Iron isotopes reveal an abiological origin for a 2.75 Ga BIF from the Yilgarn Craton, Western Australia .Knoxville, TN. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., Eigenbrode, J.L., Freeman, K.H., and Yamaguchi, K.E. (2010. ) Iron and carbon isotope evidence for ecosystem and environmental diversity in the ~2.7 to 2.5 Ga Hamersley Province, Western Australia .League City, TX. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Johnson, C.M., Beard, B.L., Eigenbrode, J.L., Freeman, K.H., and Yamaguchi, K.E. (2010. ) Iron and carbon isotope evidence for ecosystem and environmental diversity in the ~2.7 to 2.5 Ga Hamersley Province, Western Australia .Portland, OR. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja, A.D., Kudryavtsev, A.B., Cody, G.D., and Schopf, J.W. (2007. ) Comparison of fossil fern kerogen from two Eocene cherts .Denver, CO. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja AD, Kudryavtsev AB, Cody GD, and Schopf JW (2007. ) Fine-scale analysis of permineralized kerogen .San Juan, Puerto Rico. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja AD (2006. ) Raman spectroscopic analysis of permineralized organic-walled fossils, Eocene to Archean .University of California, Riverside, CA. Conference. Level:Regional

Czaja AD, Kudryavtsev AB, and Cody GD (2005. ) Toward a better understanding of the paleontological afterlife: a spectroscopic comparison of modern and permineralized plant axes .Salt Lake City, UT. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja AD, (2005. ) Fossil organic matter: a better understanding of its history .Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA. Conference. Level:National

Czaja AD, Cody GD, Kudryavtsev AB, and Schopf JW (2004. ) Turning ferns into fossils: biogeochemical alchemy .Denver, CO. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Van Kranendonk M, Baumgartner R, Boyd E, Cady S, Campbell K, Czaja A, Damer B, Deamer D, Djokic T, Fiorentini M, Gangidine A, Havig J, Mulkidjanian A, Ruff S, Thordarson P (2018. ) Terrestrial hot springs and the origin of life: Implications for the search for life beyond Earth .The Woodlands, TX. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Porter S, Riedman LA, Czaja AD, Calver C (2017. ) Early Neoproterozoic biostratigraphy: life before the Cryogenian glaciations .Toulouse, France. Professional Meeting. Level:International

Returned Sample Science Board (Carrier BL, Beaty DW, McSween HY, Czaja AD, Goreva YS, Hausrath EM, Herd CDK, Humayun M, McCubbin FM, McLennan SM, Pratt LM, Sephton MA, Steele A, and Weiss BP) (2017. ) Strategies for investigating early Mars using returned samples .Flagstaff, AZ. Conference. Level:National

Smith AJB, Beukes NJ, Gutzmer J, Johnson CM, Czaja AD, and De Beer FC (2017. ) Insights into oncoidal morphology and sedimentology of a Mesoarchean granular iron formation from southern Africa using 3D X-ray computed tomography (µXCT) .Paris, France. Professional Meeting. Level:International

Farley KA, Williford KH, Beaty DW, McSween HY, Czaja AD, Goreva YS, Hausrath EM, Hays LE, Herd CDK, Humayun M, McCubbin FM, McLennan SM, Pratt LM, Sephton MA, Steele A, and Weiss BP (2017. ) Contamination knowledge strategy for the Mars 2020 sample-collecting rover .The Woodlands, TX. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Beaty DW, Weiss BP, McSween HY, Czaja AD, Goreva YS, Hausrath EM, Herd CDK, Humayun M, McCubbin FM, McLennan SM, Pratt LM, Sephton MA, Steele A, Hays LE, and Meyer MA (2016. ) Planning for the Paleomagnetic Investigations of Returned Samples from Mars .San Francisco, CA. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Beaty DW, McSween HY, Czaja AD, Goreva YS, Hausrath EM, Herd CDK, Humayun M, McCubbin FM, McLennan SM, Pratt LM, Sephton MA, Steele A, Weiss BP and Hays LE (2016. ) Planning for the collection of a compelling set of Mars samples in support of a potential future Mars sample return .Denver, CO. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Beaty DW, McSween HY, Czaja AD, Goreva YS, Hausrath EM, Herd CDK, Humayun M, McCubbin FM, McLennan SM, Pratt LM, Sephton MA, Steele A, Weiss BP and Hays LE (2016. ) Recommended maximum temperature for Mars returned samples .The Woodlands, TX. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Gangidine AJ, Czaja AD, Havig JR (2018. ) Developing a trace element biosignature for early Earth and Mars .Berlin, Germany. Conference. Level:International

Osterhout JT and Czaja AD (2017. ) Stable isotope geochemistry of a late Archean microbial ecosystem: Diversity in the pre-GOE oceans .Seattle, WA. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Gangidine AJ, Czaja AD, and Havig J (2017. ) A novel trace element biosignature for life on early Earth and Mars .Mesa, AZ. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Manning-Berg AR, Tuite M, Williford K, Czaja AD, and Kah LC (2017. ) Exceptional preservation of biomarkers in the 1.2 Ga Angmaat Formation chert, Bylot Supergroup, Baffin Island .Mesa, AZ. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Osterhout JT, Czaja AD, and Beukes NJ (2015. ) Isotopic evidence of photoautotrophy in an open marine ecosystem preceding the Great Oxygenation Event .Baltimore, MD. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Lorber KN, Czaja AD, and Beukes NJ (2015. ) Geochemical analysis of 2.5 billion-year-old microfossils exhibiting varying degrees of preservation .Bloomington, IN. Conference. Level:Regional

Osterhout JT, Czaja AD, and Fralick, PW (2015. ) Organic geochemistry of stromatolites in a 1.4 billion-year-old evaporitic lacustrine ecosystem .Bloomington, IN. Conference. Level:Regional

Lorber KN, Czaja AD, and Beukes NJ (2015. ) Preservational variations of 2.5 billion-year-old filamentous microfossils from the Gamohaan Formation of South Africa .Chicago, IL. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Osterhout JT, Czaja AD, and Beukes NJ (2015. ) Morphological and geochemical diversity of deep water microfossils from the 2.52 Ga-old Gamohaan Formation, South Africa .Chicago, IL. Professional Meeting. Level:National

Czaja AD, Kudryavtsev AB, Cody GD, and Schopf JW (2008. ) Similar fossil ferns having dissimilar organic geochemical preservation .Vancouver, Canada. Professional Meeting. Level:International

2010 Lewis and Clark Field Scholar in Astrobiology, American Philosophical Society

2005 Dissertation Year Fellowship, University of California, Los Angeles

2005 Eugene Waggoner Scholarship for Sustained Academic Achievement, UCLA, Department of Earth and Space Sciences

2004 Student Research Grant, Geological Society of America

2002 Grant-in-Aid of Research, Sigma Xi

2000 -2003 Graduate Research Fellowship, National Science Foundation

2000 National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (declined)

2000 -2002 Center for the Study of Evolution and the Origin of Life Fellowship, Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics, UCLA

1999 Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher of the Year, University of Connecticut, Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology

1997 Phi Beta Kappa, Inducted into Epsilon of Connecticut Chapter

Academic - University of Cincinnati
Department of Geology
Cincinnati  Ohio, 45221-0013
Phone: 513-556-3574
andrew.czaja@uc.edu