Project at AIAS

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous molecules in space and on Earth, primarily formed through combustion processes. They lock up a large fraction of cosmic carbon and are thought to act as templates for RNA formation. By employing quantum chemistry and machine learning methods, with the support of experimental collaborations, I aim to investigate the formation of an RNA building block by studying the reaction of PAHs with nitrogenous radicals on interstellar grains. This research holds promise for clarifying the role of PAHs in the origin of life and chemical applications.

Short Bio

Dario Campisi is a postdoc with a PhD in Astronomy from Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands. His work spans astronomy and chemistry, exploring the universe through computer simulations. He helped clarify the role of interstellar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons—molecules thought to initiate life—in hydrogen formation and dust preservation. After research experiences at the University of Chicago, the University of Stuttgart as a Humboldt Fellow, and the University of Perugia, he will study interstellar RNA formation as an AIAS Fellow.