Grad pursues search for life beyond Earth
Aubrey Yanagisawa. Photo by Andy DeLisle/ASU
Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of profiles of notable spring 2026 graduates.
Before enrolling at Arizona State University, Aubrey Yanagisawa faced significant personal challenges, navigating an unstable home environment and financial troubles that made it difficult to focus on school.
She began her higher education journey at Estrella Mountain Community College, later working in a nursing facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. There, Yanagisawa witnessed end-of-life care unfold over Zoom calls between patients and their families, which she said took a toll on her mental health.
Her introduction to ASU’s Biodesign Institute came as an employee. After securing a position through a community college pathway, Yanagisawa began working in a Biodesign lab, gaining hands-on exposure to research before formally pursuing a degree. With the support of ASU’s tuition assistance program, she was able to continue her education while working.
In Michael Lynch’s lab in the Biodesign Center for Mechanisms of Evolution, Yanagisawa became involved in research spanning genetic, cellular and developmental biology, including a months-long mutation experiment, while building connections with mentors and peers who encouraged her to think beyond traditional boundaries.
“I always thought I had some odd opinions about life,” she said. “But being at Biodesign, I realized that many people share those ideas. It’s a place where people think outside the box.”
Yanagisawa secured a remote internship with NASA, bringing her one step closer to her long-term aspirations. Her research interests now center on extremophilesExtremophiles are organisms that can survive in extreme conditions that are fatal to most life. and how life adapts to harsh environments, knowledge that could one day help scientists better understand the potential for life elsewhere in the universe. Now finishing up her bachelor's degree in biological sciences this May, she has learned to embrace the uncertainty that comes with scientific work.
“Research is a whole lot of learning and making mistakes,” she said. “If you don’t make mistakes, you won’t learn.”
Read more about Yanagisawa’s experience at ASU below.
Note: Answers have been edited for length and clarity.
Question: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?
Answer: While growing up, I looked at the stars and just couldn’t believe we were the only ones out there. I decided to study biology so that when I eventually work at NASA, I’ll be able to compare environments where extremophiles thrive to other worlds in our solar system. In doing this, maybe we will find that life may not be so rare, and maybe it is an intrinsic quality of our universe.
Q: Why did you choose to work at the Biodesign Institute?
A: Biodesign is filled with incredibly brilliant faculty, staff and students. It was an honor to be asked to be a part of the research being done here. I have made so many connections and friends while working here, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Q: What is an important lesson your mentor at the Biodesign Institute has taught you?
A: My mentor taught me that just because I don’t quite understand something, that doesn’t mean I will never understand it. Research is a whole lot of learning and making mistakes, and if you don’t make mistakes, you won’t learn! Imposter syndrome is a beast we all face.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: Your GPA does not define who you are or what your prospects are; the ability to pick yourself up after falling is what does. Perseverance is key in this life, and as long as you keep pushing through, you’ll get anywhere you want to.
Q: What was your favorite spot at ASU, whether for studying, meeting friends, or just thinking about life?
A: Definitely near Biodesign and Skyspace, there's a big area with trees and squirrels. It's nice to hide away and watch them run around while listening to the leaves in the wind.
Q: What are your plans after graduation?
A: I hope to pursue a PhD and work with extraterrestrial samples, or more extreme environmental samples, whether that's the deep ocean or microgravity. I plan on working with like-minded scientists to help elucidate the mysteries of life in our universe. One ultimate goal of mine is to become an astronaut, but that comes after!
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I don’t know if $40 million could solve any really big problems, but with that money, I would make vaccines and health care more available to impoverished countries and people. I don’t think money should dictate whether someone gets health care or not. The thought of a loved one dying from something preventable due to lack of money is horrific, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
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