Ishaan Madan
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Ishaan Madan / Scientist & curious human

Exploring other worlds.
Discovering myself.

I’m Ishaan, a PhD student in Planetary Science and Astrobiology at Purdue. I explore life’s beginnings through research, share science through teaching, and practice meditation as a way to understand myself.

Read my story

Purdue University NSF Graduate Research Fellow

Ishaan Madan standing in front of a chemistry whiteboard.
At Purdue, August 2025
John Underwood / Purdue University (opens in a new tab)

Research

The chemistry of life’s beginnings on Earth and its possibilities on other worlds.

Meditations & Reflections

Weekly meditation circles, guided practices, and personal reflections.

Courses & Resources

Science lessons, presentations, and fellowship materials to support your own path.

Latest from Ish

Preview of the TSC 2026 poster on the origins of life's genetic alphabet

TSC 2026 · October 2026 · Research poster

Why Did Life Choose A, C, G, U, and T in RNA and DNA?

A poster comparing the formation energetics of 21 nucleobase families to ask why life uses its familiar genetic alphabet.

With Ben K. D. Pearce · Manuscript in preparation

Download poster (PDF, 16 MB)
Life Beyond and Within course flyer, with the five lesson titles and Ishaan Madan.

September 2026 · Free video course · 5 lessons

Life Beyond and Within

Explore the science of life, from atoms and early Earth to other worlds and the wonder of being alive.

No scientific background required.

Watch the course (opens in a new tab)

Let’s have a conversation.

A question, a shared curiosity, or something you’re working through.

Book a conversation