The UK is internationally renowned as a leader in life sciences and chemistry R&D, health care delivery, and in particular, has a heritage of world-leading aviation medicine experience.
Specialist research associations like the UK Space Life and Biomedical Sciences Association (UK Space LABS) and others have been working with these communities to increase awareness and understanding of our fields of endeavor, to facilitate improved collaboration between space and health sectors as they have developed.
This symposium brings the innovation communities and institutions of these sectors together to discuss interfaces between disciplines and sectors, share current opportunities and updates and help to inform the future strategy for cross-sector collaboration.
We are delighted to announce that this event will also host the launch of the position paper “Why Space? The Opportunity for Health and Life Science Innovation”
10:15: Welcome & Introductions
- Opening Remarks, Dr Phil Carvil, UKRI-STFC
- Introduction to UKRI-STFC, Luke Vanstone, UKRI-STFC
10:30: Opening Address:
- Professor Charles Cockell, University of Edinburgh - 'Biological sciences on the Moon: A BioMission concept for ESA's Large Logistic Lander (EL3) programme'
10:50: The evolving space landscape
- Dr Nicole Buckley, SciSpacE Team Leader, Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration, European Space Agency
- Libby Jackson, Human Exploration Programme Manager, UK Space Agency
11:20 Break - 5 minutes
11:25: Launch of the paper Why Space? The opportunity for Health and Life Science Innovation
The UKSpace LABS Working Group will discuss the paper with time for Q&A
- Professor Kate Robson-Brown, University of Bristol
- Dr Rochelle Velho, University of Birmingham NHS Trust
- Associate Professor Adam Hawkey, Solent University Southampton
- Dr Peter D Hodkinson, King's College London
- Dr Nathan Smith, University of Manchester
- Dr Phil Carvil, UKRI-STFC
11:50 Break - 5 minutes
11:55 Open Spotlight Session a word from the community
- Dr Keith Siew, Sir Henry Wellcome Postdoctoral Fellow, University College London. "Exploring the Effects of Galactic Cosmic Radiation and Microgravity on the Kidney"
- Dr Martin Braddock, Sherwood Observatory, Nottinghamshire. "Powering Ignition - Use of UK Astronomy Societies to Drive New Concepts in Health & Life Sciences"
- Dr Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro, Lecturer, Imperial College London. "Engineering Microorganism for Space Exploration"
- Dr Matt Davey, Scottish Association for Marine Science. "Microalgae Biotechnology for Space Applications"
- Dr Elisa Ferre, Senior Lecture in Cognitive Neuroscience and PI, Department of Psychology, RHUL. "Getting ready for Mars: Human Cognition in Altered Gravity"
- Dr Angeles Hueso-Gil, Postdoctoral Researcher, Bioengineering Department, Imperial College London. “Engineering Radiation and Oxidative Stress Resistance of microorganisms for Stable Bioproduction”
- Dr Willian Abraham da Silveira, Queen’s University Belfast / Space Omics Topical Team funded by ESA. “Multi-Omics and Space Biology – The Case for Integration in the UK”
- Dr Li Shean Toh, Asst Professor in Astropharmacy and Medication Management, University of Nottingham, UK. "Astropharmacy: Medication Management in Space Travel"
- Daniel Campbell, UK Managing Director, SpacePharma Ltd. "Accessible and Affordable Microgravity Research and Manufacturing"
- Dr Rowan Temple, R&D Manager, siHealth Ltd. "Smartphone Application Using Near Real-Time Personalised Vitamin D Effective Solar Dosimetry"
- Dr Thomas Smith, Head of Aerospace Medicine Research, King's College London. "Medical Aspects of Commercial suborbital SpaceFlight"
- Gianluca Neri, Programme Manager, Kayser Space Ltd. "Bioreactor Express: a Service Enabling Fast-Track Experiment Demonstration in Microgravity"
- Professor Di Catherwood and Professor Graham K. Edgar, University of Gloucestershire. "Children in Space?"
- Professor Graham K. Edgar & Professor Di Catherwood, University of Gloucestershire. "Keeping a Close Watch on the Universe: Situation Awareness in Space Environments"
- Daniela Bezdan, Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen. "First Liquid Biopsy from Astronauts - Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) or Exosomes provide a Noninvasive Approach to Monitor Human Health and Diseases in Astronauts"
- Rob Brougham, Director & Co-Founder, Braided Communications Ltd. "Mitigating the Impact of Communications Delay on Manned Mission to Deep Space
Break – 15 minutes
1:10 Panel - What Next for the Health and Life Science Sector and Space: Chair: Dr Barbara Ghinelli, STFC
- Cynthia Bouthot, Space Commerce Matters
- Dr Bonnie Posselt, Medical Officer, Austrian Space Forum
- Dr Varsha Jain, University of Edinburgh
- Dr Nicholas Medcalf, Deputy Challenge Director for Medicines Manufacturing ISCF
- Dr Nicole Buckley, SciSpacE Team Leader, Directorate of Human Spaceflight and Robotic Exploration, European Space Agency
2:05-2:30pm – Closing Address
- Dr Brian Crucian, Immunology/Virology Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center “'SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic Impacts on NASA Ground Operations to Protect ISS Astronauts”
This event is open to Industry, Government, Clinical and Academic thought leaders in these sectors and operating in the interface.
If you have any questions concerning this event, please contact Phil Carvil (philip.carvil@stfc.ac.uk)
