The speaker will discuss the methods for first identifying planets that have the right conditions for life as we know it (especially water); some of the possible life-forms that might be encountered (touching on life found in extreme locations on earth, and the history of life on earth); and what signs of life will be sought via telescopes already built and under construction.  He will also talk about the philosophical/religious meaning of actually finding life on other planets in our solar system or around nearby stars.  Sherwood earned a Ph.D. from Harvard University in Biochemistry and has held numerous university teaching and administrative positions. He was a Scientific Review Administrator at the National Cancer Institute when he retired.