On February 10-12, 2003 the ASU Astrobiology program hosted the 2003 NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI) General Meeting. Approximately 500 scientists from around the world gathered on the ASU campus to attend a host of presentations on leading edge research from top scientists in the field, share research with their peers through poster sessions and help guide the direction of the Institute through special interest meetings.

Although meetings were the main focus, attendees were offered many other activities. On Sunday, February 9, scientists were invited to attend their choice of two pre-meeting activities - Science Primer Sessions or a field trip to the Apache Trail and Superstition Mountains. The primer sessions were presented by Ken Nealson from University of Southern California, Bruce Jakosky from University of Colorado, Boulder and Alan Boss from Carnegie Institution of Washington. The sessions were designed to facilitate interdisciplinary interaction among Astrobiologists.  Each speaker is an internationally known scientist who presented the basics of each major Astrobiology field to non-experts. Attendees were also invited to tour the Dietz Geology Museum and the Space Photography Laboratory as well as some of
the Astrobiology research laboratories.

The field trip was guided by Dr. Jack Farmer, ASU Astrobiology Program Director and Dr. Malcolm Comeaux from the ASU Department of Geography. The trip had two basic goals: 1) to introduce visitors to the aspects of the cultural history and regional geology of the Phoenix Basin area, and 2) to provide a brief geologic tour of one of the most scenic areas in Central
Arizona.

Sunday evening kicked off the meeting festivities with a Welcome Reception held at the ASU Nelson Fine Arts Museum. Scientists were treated to a cocktail hour style party with access to the Museum and gift shop and were entertained by a band.

Science meetings kicked off on Monday with welcome remarks from Dr. Jack Farmer, ASU President Dr. Michael Crow, and Dr. Rosalind Grimes, acting director of the NAI. The remainder of the week encompassed science meetings as well as special topic sessions such as the NAI Virtual Institute, the NAI Minority Institution program and Focus Group Meetings. Tuesday afternoon a select group of Arizona science teachers were invited to campus for a workshop and dinner with scientists. Also that evening Dr. Antonio Lazcano gave a public lecture at ASU Gammage Auditorium. Wednesday concluded the meeting with a Town Hall meeting and a public lecture from ASU's Dr. Donald Johanson.