Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Dr. Samantha Thompson is a leading figure in the search for habitable exoplanets, specializing in the detection and atmospheric characterization of temperate, Earth-sized worlds. Her primary research focuses on the SPECULOOS (Search for habitable Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars) project, a network of robotic telescopes designed to hunt for terrestrial planets transiting the smallest and coolest stars in our solar neighborhood—ultracool dwarfs. Thompson’s major contributions include spearheading the design, deployment, and scientific operation of the SPECULOOS-South observatory at ESO Paranal, Chile, which began its hunt for rocky planets in 2019. Her work has been instrumental in demonstrating that these faint, low-mass stars are prime targets for next-generation atmospheric studies, particularly with the James Webb Space Telescope. With over 200 cumulative citations, her most influential paper (105 citations) outlines the survey’s potential to revolutionize our understanding of temperate exoplanets. She also leads the ABORAS project, developing a solar polarimeter to achieve 10 cm/s radial velocity precision, advancing stellar variability studies. Thompson’s dedication to building cutting-edge robotic observatories and her strategic vision for exoplanet science make her a pivotal researcher in the quest to find life beyond Earth.