Dhaval Jadav Joins the SETI Institute Board to Help Spearhead Novel Science and Technology Approaches in the Search for Extraterrestrial Life

January 20, 2026, Mountain View, CA and Houston, TX  — The SETI Institute announced that alliant Global CEO, Dhaval Jadav, joined its Board of Directors. Dhaval brings a deep lifelong passion for space science, a strong commitment to STEM education, and a shared belief in the SETI Institute’s mission to explore one of humanity’s most profound questions: Are we alone in the universe?

This marks the beginning of a strategic partnership that gives the SETI Institute the ability to leverage alliant’s resources and AI capabilities in the search for extraterrestrial life.

“As a kid nothing got me more excited to learn about space than the thought of extraterrestrials being out there,” said Dhaval. “I think we’ve lost some of that sense of wonder, the curiosity that drives people to look beyond their screens and ask big questions about the universe. I wholeheartedly believe in the SETI Institute’s mission, and I hope alliant can help the SETI Institute be a beacon that rekindles that curiosity and inspires people to seek answers to life’s biggest mysteries.”

Dhaval was elected to the board in part due to his longstanding leadership in promoting STEM education and space science. Through alliant’s Blue Heart Fund, he has funded millions of dollars in STEM scholarships for students and supported local science educators through alliant’s SPARK Awards. He also serves on the Space Center Houston Board of Directors and was honored by NASA’s Johnson Space Center with the naming of the Dhaval R. Jadav Learning Innovation Center in recognition of his contributions.

“Dhaval has an incredible passion for the Institute’s mission that evokes an infectious degree of excitement. His business acumen and commitment to science and STEM education are ideal attributes as the Institute embarks on a bold new era of space exploration and pursuit of the discovery of life and intelligence beyond Earth,” said SETI Institute President and CEO Bill Diamond.

“Dhaval understands that both science research and commercial activity are extremely complementary and often work in tandem to accelerate new discoveries and advancements. He is the ideal visionary to help us leverage the positive interaction between these two approaches,” said SETI Institute Board Member Amaresh Kollipara.

About the SETI Institute

Founded in 1984, the SETI Institute is a non-profit, multi-disciplinary research and education organization whose mission is to lead humanity’s quest to understand the origins and prevalence of life and intelligence in the Universe and share that knowledge with the world. Our research encompasses the physical and biological sciences and leverages data analytics, machine learning, and advanced signal detection technologies. The SETI Institute is a distinguished research partner for industry, academia, and government agencies, including NASA and the National Science Foundation.