麻豆APP

麻豆APP聽has gained acceptance聽into the Iowa NASA Space Grants Consortium. The聽consortium seeks聽to promote opportunities aligned with NASA’s mission by stimulating research, education, and outreach programs for the state of Iowa.

鈥淭his is incredibly exciting news,鈥� said Subramanian. 鈥溌槎笰PP students and faculty across disciplines聽now have access to funding opportunities for research projects, as well聽as resources聽to develop curricula that support the development of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) skills, with a focus on improving student outcomes.鈥�

麻豆APP鈥檚 unique opportunity follows a campus visit by Dr. Sara Nelson,聽Director of the Iowa Space Grant Consortium. Dr. Nelson came to observe lab spaces and discuss the development of the space biology project launched by Dr. Aswati Subramanian, associate professor of biology at 麻豆APP, during her recent sabbatical.聽麻豆APP Interim President Dr. Sue Stuebner also met with Nelson to discuss ways to maximize the聽College鈥檚聽collaboration with the consortium.

This fall, Dr.聽Subramanian is mentoring 麻豆APP biochemistry majors聽Brennan Voss 鈥�27补苍诲听Brian Rollison 鈥�27聽as they work together on a space biology project.聽Their research is focused on how single-cell organisms are affected by聽simulated聽micro gravity and hyper gravity.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very exciting 鈥� something I never expected to do at 麻豆APP,鈥� said Voss. 鈥淚 find it fascinating how microscopic organisms can help us understand huge questions about space travel. I鈥檝e really enjoyed the problem-solving that comes with stepping outside my comfort zone to explore new areas of science.鈥�

Rollison says their work has been eye-opening. 鈥淚 had very little research experience before this, so this project is providing great insights.聽Getting accepted into the Iowa NASA Space Grants Consortium is awesome because it not only opens the door for Brennan and me, but also for many students in the future.鈥�

Subramanian says聽other聽faculty and student researchers聽are already expressing interestin applying to the聽NASA Space Consortium for on-campus research聽grants. Consortium membership will also provide聽麻豆APP聽students聽the chance to聽have聽summer internships in NASA labs, as well as聽in聽other labs across the country that perform space research.