Prof. Debra Fischer spoke at TEDxYale. The event, held on February 23, 2013 explored the theme "Solve for y." The speakers were challenged to explain their unique "y," the key ingredient to their work and inspiration, and describe "why" it is significant. More than any other variable, "y" also represents the speakers' common ground, Yale.

Debra Fischer is a Professor of Astronomy at Yale University who has discovered hundreds of exoplanets, including the first known multiple planet system in 1999. She is working on new instruments to detect small rocky planets and this leads naturally to an interest in questions about the orgin of life and the structure and composition of terrestrial worlds.