The NASA-funded Translational Research Institute for Space Health (TRISH) recently announced its selections for the institute’s 2024 postdoctoral fellowship program. This program is designed to support early-career scientists in conducting research that addresses the health risks associated with human space exploration. The selected fellows will have the opportunity to participate in TRISH’s Academy of Bioastronautics, a mentorship community for space health professionals, and will receive a two-year salary stipend to support their research endeavors. The projects proposed by the fellows were evaluated based on their potential to mitigate health risks in spaceflight, and the selected projects are expected to commence in September.
Dr. Rihana Bokhari, acting TRISH chief scientific officer and assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, emphasized the importance of investing in the next generation of researchers to develop solutions for the challenges of human health in space. As space exploration becomes more accessible, it is crucial to equip early-career scientists with the tools and knowledge needed to address the unique health risks that astronauts may face during extended missions in space. The postdoctoral fellowship program aims to nurture these researchers and enhance their capabilities in advancing space health research.
The selected fellows for the 2024 postdoctoral fellowship program include Carolyn Chlebek, Ph.D., from MaineHealth, whose project focuses on the impact of skeletal unloading and nutrient limitation on bone metabolism during long-duration spaceflight. Katharyn Flickinger, Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, will be working on metabolic measurement, manipulation, and countermeasure strategies under the mentorship of Dr. Clifton Callaway. Patrick Opdensteinen, M.Sc., Ph.D., from the University of California, San Diego, will be exploring streamlined molecular farming of Virus-Like Particle (VLP) therapeutics in space with mentor Dr. Nicole Steinmetz.
TRISH is supported by NASA’s Human Research Program, which is dedicated to addressing the challenges of human deep space exploration. The institute, led by Baylor College of Medicine’s Center for Space Medicine, collaborates with partners such as Caltech and MIT to advance research in space health. NASA’s Human Research Program conducts scientific investigations in laboratories, ground-based analogs, and missions to the International Space Station to understand the effects of spaceflight on human physiology and behavior. This research is essential for developing innovative strategies to ensure the health and well-being of astronauts as space exploration expands to the Moon, Mars, and beyond.
In conclusion, the selection of fellows for TRISH’s 2024 postdoctoral fellowship program represents a significant step towards advancing research in space health and addressing the challenges of human space exploration. By investing in the next generation of researchers and providing them with the necessary support and resources, TRISH and NASA are paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries that will benefit astronauts on future missions to space.
