Eleonora Alei, Ph.D.
NASA Postdoctoral Fellow @ NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
I specialize in the characterization of terrestrial, habitable exoplanets and their atmospheric modeling. My research focuses on defining science requirements for future space missions aimed at detecting habitable worlds and potential biosignatures. I model both atmospheres and expected noise to help scientists and technologies make reasonable architecture trades.
Key Roles and Affiliations:
- LIFE (Large Interferometer For Exoplanets) Mission: Science Team Lead
- Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO): Coronagraph Exposure Time Calculator Lead Developer
- NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP): Current Fellow
- Astronomy & Computing: Member of the Early Career Board of Editors
Experience
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2023 - PresentNASA Postdoctoral FellowNASA Goddard Space Flight CenterLeading the development of the coronagraph exposure time calculator (ETC) with 2 publications in preparation. Leading the LIFE Science Team with monthly meetings and community papers. Collaborating with international scientists on atmospheric retrievals and radiative transfer intermodel comparisons. Maintaining exoplanet catalog used as source by the PLATO and LIFE teams for their input catalogs. -
2020 - 2023Postdoctoral ResearcherETH ZurichLed the atmospheric modeling team for the LIFE mission concept, resulting in 5 high-impact publications by the core team. Developed the official LIFE atmospheric retrieval routine. Supervised 8 students and performed teaching duties for 6 semesters. -
2016 - 2019Doctoral ResearcherUniversità degli Studi di Padova - INAF Osservatorio di PadovaDeveloped software for: handling exoplanet catalog data; modeling radiative-convective transfer and ozone photochemistry for terrestrial planets. The results of the models then recreated by biologists in the laboratory, to study the behavior of photosynthetic bacteria under exotic conditions.
Research Highlights
Exo-MerCat: Advancing Exoplanet Data Management
Alei et al. (2025)
I have developed an enhanced, open-source tool that efficiently merges exoplanet data from multiple catalogs, including newly added sources like TESS and K2. This offers researchers a more comprehensive, accurate, and user-friendly resource for exoplanet studies, thus advancing our ability to analyze and understand the diverse population of known exoplanets.
Read PaperFinding Earth with LIFE and HWO
Alei et al. (2024)
Combining observations from future space missions like HWO and LIFE, operating in complementary spectral ranges (UV/VIS/NIR and MIR) significantly enhances our ability to characterize Earth-like exoplanets and detect potential biosignatures, paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries in the search for extraterrestrial life.
Read PaperRefining Atmospheric Retrieval for LIFE Mission
Alei et al. (2022)
Variations in opacity data and modeling choices can impact atmospheric retrievals for Earth-like exoplanets as observed by the LIFE mission, emphasizing the crucial need for standardized modeling approaches and improved laboratory data to ensure accurate characterization of exoplanet atmospheres in future space missions.
Read PaperExoplanet Atmospheric Characterization with Future Space Missions
I focus on exploring the potential of future space missions, such as LIFE (Large Interferometer For Exoplanets) and HWO (Habitable Worlds Observatory), for characterizing terrestrial exoplanets. This work involves developing atmospheric retrieval techniques, assessing the detectability of biosignatures, and defining science requirements for next-generation observatories aimed at finding life in the universe.
View Related PapersAtmospheric Modeling and Retrieval Techniques
I develop and apply advanced models for studying exoplanet atmospheres, with a focus on terrestrial planets. This includes work on radiative transfer models, atmospheric retrieval frameworks, and the study of atmospheric stability in terrestrial planets. I'm also involved in the development and enhancement of open-source tools like petitRADTRANS, which are crucial for the exoplanet research community.
View Related PapersExoplanet Data Management and Catalog Development
I create tools and methodologies for managing and analyzing exoplanet data. This includes the development of Exo-MerCat, a merged exoplanet catalog with Virtual Observatory connections. My work in this area aims to improve the accessibility and interoperability of exoplanet data, facilitating more efficient research and collaboration within the exoplanet science community.
View Related PapersHWO Coronagraph ETC
Lead Developer | 2023 - Present
Developing Exposure Time Calculator for HWO coronagraph. Coordinating existing software and standards into a new user-friendly and flexible code.
LIFE Atmospheric Retrieval Framework
Lead Developer | 2020 - Present
Coordinated developer team and oversaw development of official LIFE atmospheric retrieval routine, resulting in 5 high-impact publications.
ReferenceSkills & Interests
Atmospheric Modeling of Terrestrial Planets
Atmospheric Spectra Simulation
Atmospheric Retrievals
Future Generation Telescopes
Noise Modeling
Architecture Trades
Catalogs
Virtual Observatory Standards
Python
FORTRAN
C
HTML/CSS
Problem Solving
Scientific Writing
Project Management
Teaching
Mentoring
Public Outreach
Science Communication
Out of this World - Girls In Space
Robinson Nature Center, MD, USA, 2024 & 2025
Exoplanets in Italy: status and perspectives
Accademia dei Lincei, Rome, Italy, 2025
Lectures for 1st-5th Grade Students
Scuola Amore Misericordioso, Rome, Italy, 2025
Get in Touch
Feel free to reach out for collaborations, research inquiries, or any questions about my work.
- eleonora.alei@nasa.gov
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, 8800 Greenbelt Rd, Greenbelt, MD 20771, USA
- Office Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (EST)
Location
I'm based at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, where I conduct my research on exoplanet characterization and atmospheric modeling.