Thomas Drant

Thomas Drant pursued his undergraduate studies at Sorbonne University in Paris, France, specialising in physics, geoscience, and planetary science. With a strong interest in climate science, atmospheric chemistry, and planetary habitability, he continued his academic path with a cotutelle PhD between the University of Paris-Saclay and Ludwig Maximilian University. He specifically designed this joint PhD to develop expertise in both experimental and modeling approaches. His doctoral research focused on atmospheric chemistry, investigating the diversity of atmospheric compositions shaped by volcanic outgassing and the formation of solid organic hazes. These atmospheric hazes are believed to have played a crucial role in shaping early Earth's climate and may have contributed to the emergence of life. As part of his work, Thomas initiated a cross-laboratory collaboration with NASA Ames, conducting detailed analyses of the composition, morphology, and optical properties of organic haze analogs produced in laboratory experiments. In parallel, he used modeling techniques to explore the conditions under which methane-rich atmospheres could form through volcanic degassing, identifying planetary environments where active organic chemistry may be ongoing.

Within the fellowship, Thomas Drant further develops the current photochemistry setup to investigate the formation of prebiotic precursors such as hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and formaldehyde (H₂CO). These compounds, produced by photochemical processes in planetary atmospheres, likely played a key role in the synthesis of more complex organic molecules necessary for the origin of life. His research focuses on understanding how the production of these precursors varies across different oxidation states and temperature regimes, identifying the conditions most favorable for their accumulation. By integrating atmospheric modeling with photochemical experiments, Thomas aims to explore how these processes interact with planetary climate and transport mechanisms, ultimately shedding light on their influence on planetary habitability.