This past summer, graduate student Ketan Dhede and undergraduate student Zachary Diaz joined Dr. Rachel Seidler in the Neuromotor Behavior Lab at the University of Florida. Read their accounts below!
Ketan Dhede:
From Lab to Launch: My NASA MUREP Journey at University of Florida
During my summer internship at the University of Florida through NASA's Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP), I delved into groundbreaking research addressing real challenges faced by astronauts. Under the mentorship of Dr. Rachael Seidler and Dr. Ashley Blackwell, I explored the fascinating intersection of space biology and human performance.
Pioneering Research in Space Adaptation
My primary research focused on understanding sensorimotor impairments in space through innovative string-pulling tasks. These experiments serve as a translational model, helping us understand how astronauts adapt to the challenges of microgravity and other space-related stressors. By studying how participants perform these tasks while wearing gloves or experiencing sensory conflicts, we gained valuable insights that could improve astronaut training and equipment design.
Beyond the Bench: Exploring Space Science
The internship experience extended far beyond our primary research. Visits to the UF Space Plants Lab opened my eyes to the complexities of cultivating plants in microgravity – a crucial step toward sustainable space exploration. At the Foster Lab, I witnessed fascinating studies on microbial resilience in extreme environments, research that directly impacts the development of life support systems for long-duration space missions.
Witnessing Space History at Kennedy Space Center
A highlight of my internship was visiting Kennedy Space Center and witnessing a satellite launch firsthand. The thunderous roar of the engines, the brilliant flame cutting through the sky, and the palpable excitement among the crowd brought our research into sharp focus. This experience connected our laboratory work to the broader mission of space exploration, showing how our research contributes to making these launches and missions possible.
Impact and Future Horizons
This MUREP internship reinforced the critical role of translational research in space exploration. Our findings from the string-pulling studies could directly influence how we prepare astronauts for future missions and design their equipment. More importantly, this experience has shaped my understanding of space biology and strengthened my commitment to advancing space exploration through research.
The opportunity to contribute to NASA's mission while working alongside leading researchers has been transformative. As I move forward in my career, I carry with me not just the technical knowledge gained, but also a deeper appreciation for the collaborative nature of space research and its potential to benefit humanity both on Earth and beyond.
Zachary Diaz:
Through Dr. Blackwell’s NASA grant, I had the privilege of interning at the Neuromotor Behavior Lab under the mentorship of Dr. Rachael Seidler, Deputy Director of the UF Space Institute. We interns worked in Human Health & Performance, assessing motor function under conditions that simulate sensory conflicts experienced during spaceflight. We also had the opportunity to meet and hear from different space labs within the Space Institute and learn more about their various ongoing research and collaborative projects with the Kennedy Space Center (KSC). One of my favorite moments of the internship was touring Kennedy Space Center’s Visitor Complex and being present to view one of the satellite launches.
View of the Vehicle Assembly Building on the KSC Tour
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