Dr Andew Siemion

Breakthrough Listen Director

Andrew Siemion is an astrophysicist specializing in the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and radio astronomy. He is a Research Scientist at the University of Oxford and the Principal Investigator of the Breakthrough Listen Initiative, the most ambitious and comprehensive SETI program ever undertaken. Dr. Siemion also holds affiliations with the University of California, Berkeley, where he has been a key figure in advancing SETI science and next-generation radio astronomy. His research focuses on the detection of technosignatures, observable indicators of extraterrestrial technology, as well as broadband radio spectroscopy, high-performance computing applications in astrophysics, and the development of novel instrumentation for radio telescopes.   

Dr. Siemion has led groundbreaking observational programs using some of the world's most powerful radio telescopes, including the Green Bank Telescope, the Parkes Radio Telescope, MeerKAT, and the Allen Telescope Array. His work has resulted in several notable advances in SETI science, including the largest and most sensitive searches for radio technosignatures ever conducted. His team has pioneered the use of cutting-edge machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques to analyze vast datasets, improving sensitivity to potential signals of extraterrestrial origin. In 2023, he led the a team that investigated an intriguing narrowband radio signal detected in the direction of Proxima Centauri, an event that gained significant media attention and underscored both the promise and challenges of modern SETI efforts.   

In recognition of his contributions to astrophysics and SETI science, Dr. Siemion has received numerous awards and honours.  His work has been featured in leading scientific journals, including Nature and The Astrophysical Journal, as well as in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Scientific American, and BBC News. In addition to his research, he is an active advocate for international collaboration in SETI, serving on advisory boards and working groups aimed at advancing the scientific search for extraterrestrial intelligence. Through both his scientific leadership and public engagement, Dr. Siemion continues to push the boundaries of one of the most profound questions in science: Are we alone in the universe?