Training the Next Generation of Space Researchers
TRISH's Academy of Bioastronautics provides a virtual, interactive forum for early career scientists, many of them TRISH postdoctoral fellows. The virtual venue allows for mentorship and guidance, and gives an opportunity for these investigators to provide updates on their research and ask technical questions while building a community and increasing their professional network.
Mentors
Jeffrey Scott Willey, Ph.D.
Wake Forest University
2019 Sessions
During the March 2019 AoB meeting, we were joined by Dr. Steve Mayo, Bren Professor of Biology and Chemistry and William K. Bowes Jr. Leadership Chair of the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering at the California Institute of Technology.
Dr. Susan Bloomfield, Associate Dean for Research in the College of Education & Human Development and Professor of Kinesiology at Texas A&M University, joined the Academy of Bioastronautics to share her insights. Topics included her own career and professional experience at Texas A&M, as well as helpful advice for pursuing a similar path.
During the May 2019 AoB meeting, the Academy of Bioastronautics heard from postdoc Lindsey Haggett, Ph.D. at Baylor College of Medicine. Dr. Haggett discussed her research progress and goals for her TRISH-funded project, "Mechanisms of protection from radiation by natural proteins."
During the June 2019 AoB meeting, the Academy of Bioastronautics heard from postdoc Michael Friedman, Ph.D. at Virginia Commonwealth University. Dr. Friedman discussed his project, "Genetic Variability in Microgravity-Induced Bone and Muscle Loss."
During the August 2019 AoB meeting, the Academy of Bioastronautics heard from Hamsa Balakrishnan, Associate Department Head and an Associate Professor of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Dr. Balakrishnan is also the Director of Transportation@MIT.
During the October 2019 AoB meeting, the Academy of Bioastronautics heard from postdoc Andrew Ford, Ph.D. at Tufts University. Dr. Ford discussed his research progress and goals for TRISH-funded project, "Investigating The Combinatorial Effects Of Intraocular Pressure And Hypobaric Hypoxia On Corneal Function."
Watch the recording
During the November 2019 AoB meeting, the Academy of Bioastronautics heard from postdoc Miguel Jimenez, Ph.D. at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Jimenez discussed his research progress and goals for TRISH-funded project, "In Situ Expression Analysis of Therapeutic Microbes with Gastrointestinal Devices."
Watch the recording
2018 AoB Sessions
Dr. Marshall-Goebel is from the Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Mass. She provided a synopsis and status of her TRISH-funded research, "Assessment of Artificial Gravity as a Countermeasure to Cephalad Fluid Shifting." Mentor: Quan Zhang, Ph.D.
View presentation charts.
Dr. Vimal from Brandeis University in Waltham, Maine provided a synopsis and status of his TRISH-funded research, "Predicting individual differences in learning to manually stabilize attitude in a space flight analog environment." Mentor: Paul DiZio, Ph.D.
View presentation charts, research video
Dr. Jimenez is part of the Robert Langer lab at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. He provided a synopsis and status of Dr. Lang's TRISH-funded research, "Gastrointestinal devices for long-term in situ delivery of therapeutic microbes."
View presentation charts.
Dr. Cunha from Columbia University in New York City, N.Y. provided a synopsis and status of her TRISH-funded research, "A mechanistic framework to assess the efficacy of aspirin and other radioprotectors to reduce carcinogenesis by space radiations." Mentor: David Brenner, Ph.D.
View presentation charts.
Dr. Allaway from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas provided a synopsis and status of her TRISH-funded research, "Will use of long-acting, reversible contraceptives mitigate bone loss in female rats during simulated exploration class missions?" Mentor: Susan Bloomfield, Ph.D.
Drs. Larry Young and Dorit Donoviel kicked off the inaugural class of the Academy of Bioastronautics (AoB) during NASA's Human Research Program Investigators' Workshop in Galveston, Texas. The meet and greet served as an opportunity for the AoB participants - many of them TRISH postdoctoral fellows - to connect in person, meet TRISH members and set the course for the upcoming year.
