SETI Institute to Honor Dr. Matthew Tiscareno with 2026 Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award

Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award

May 13, 2026, Mountain View, CA – Dr. Matthew Tiscareno will receive the 2026 Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award in recognition of his scientific leadership and dedication to advancing planetary science at the SETI Institute. As director of the SETI Institute REU (Research Experience for Undergraduates) internship program and manager of the PDS Ring-Moon Systems Node, he mentors emerging scientists and leads a team working to ensure outer planets data are preserved and accessible worldwide.

The Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award honors SETI Institute scientists for outstanding achievements in astrobiology, technology and the exploration of life in the universe. In addition to scientific excellence, awardees demonstrate a commitment to mentoring and educating the next generation of scientists, and to sharing the excitement of exploration and discovery with the public.

The SETI Institute’s Science Council selects the recipient, who is recognized annually during the Drake Awards celebration. This year’s event will take place on May 14 at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, California.

The award recognizes the legacy of Carl Sagan, a former SETI Institute Board member whose work in space science continues to inspire scientists and the public.

Tiscareno’s research has advanced the understanding of solar system orbital dynamics and planetary rings. As a Cassini Imaging Team associate, he planned key observations of Saturn’s rings, identified “propeller” moons embedded in the rings, and observed impact ejecta clouds. His discoveries have reshaped knowledge of ring dynamics and small-body interactions. He also helped demonstrate that Saturn’s moon Enceladus has a global subsurface ocean, a breakthrough for astrobiology.

Tiscareno has also provided significant leadership to the scientific community, including chairing a division of the American Astronomical Society and editing a definitive scholarly work on planetary rings. He continues to apply his expertise to the study of giant planets and ring systems through groundbreaking missions.

This award recognizes both Tiscareno’s scientific achievements and his vital role in mentoring future scientists.

“It’s a great honor to receive this award,” said Tiscareno. “The SETI Institute is a workplace that values both excellence and community, and I love working with my colleagues every day to pursue those ideals.”

"Dr. Matt Tiscareno’s work has profoundly expanded our understanding of planetary ring systems, ocean worlds, and the dynamical processes that shape our solar system,” said Dr. Nathalie Cabrol, Director of the Carl Sagan Center at the SETI Institute. “Through both his scientific leadership and his deep commitment to mentoring the next generation of researchers, Matt embodies the spirit of the SETI Institute Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award, and we are honored to recognize his extraordinary contributions.”

SETI Institute Board member Elizebeth Varghese and Matthew Veedon are the sponsors of this year’s Carl Sagan Center Director’s Award.

Recognizing Emerging Scientists

Building on the recognition of established leaders like Dr. Tiscareno, the Drake Awards event also honors emerging scientific talent. This year, undergraduate students will receive the SETI Forward Award and the SETI Institute REU Award of Excellence. In addition, Dr. Lori Marino will receive this year’s Drake Award in recognition of her pioneering work on the evolution of intelligence on Earth and beyond.

SETI Forward Award

The SETI Forward Award is presented to undergraduate researchers in recognition of outstanding research. This year’s recipients, Maria Calderon-Marrero and Matti Weiss, are honored for their research projects: Calderon-Marrero explored extremophiles in hydrothermal environments, while Weiss assessed stellar populations within radio-telescope fields of view, both of which contributed valuable insights to SETI and astrobiology.

Established by Lew Levy, SETI Forward committee founder and member of the SETI Institute’s Council of Advisors, the award supports promising young scientists by connecting them with opportunities that foster their passion for SETI and astrobiology and guide them toward impactful scientific careers.

SETI Institute REU Award of Excellence

More information about the Drake Awards can be found here: https://www.seti.org/research/drake-award/

About the SETI Institute

Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe and to share that knowledge with the world. Our research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages expertise in data analytics, machine learning and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia and government agencies, including NASA and NSF.

Contact information

Rebecca McDonald
Director of Communications
SETI Institute
[email protected]

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