Gabby Rizzo is an incoming first year Ph.D. student in the Genetics, Cellular & Molecular Biology program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her current research in the Holden Lab at UMass Amherst involves characterizing a new thermophilic methanogen isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent and its implications for detecting extraterrestrial life. As an aspiring astrobiologist, her career interests entail discovering traces of ancient microbial life in the Martian subsurface, understanding early life on Earth, and investigating the potential habitability of icy moons. Aside from academia, Gabby enjoys hiking, reading and volunteering in her local community. Gabby is the Vice President and Treasurer of Agnostic Life Finding Association Inc., (ALFA).