- #isabeljiang, 12th grader from Hillsborough, California, recognized in research competition
- Research will be the 11th Genes in Space student experiment performed by astronauts aboard the International Space Station
- Since 2015, biology experiments have addressed real-world challenges in space exploration with applicability on Earth
Isabel Jiang, 17, is this year’s winner of Genes in Space, a biology-based research competition co-sponsored by #boeing [NYSE: BA]. The announcement was made at the #internationalspacestation Research and Development Conference in Seattle. Jiang’s experiment will be performed by astronauts aboard the ISS U.S. National Laboratory next year.
The Genes in Space contest invites #students in grades 7 through 12 to design biology experiments that address real-world challenges in space exploration. The national competition garnered submissions from 194 schools in 31 states. Authors of the top five proposals presented their ideas to a panel of scientists, educators, and technologists at the conference.
“Our goal is to inspire young minds with the excitement of biological and physical sciences, and every year we are also inspired by the innovative ideas these #students submit,” said Scott Copeland, director, #boeing ISS Research Integration. “The winners are already meaningfully contributing to scientific research on the space station and helping us solve challenges that lie ahead in the future of human spaceflight. I’m so proud to be a part of that.”
Jiang’s experiment was selected from a competitive field of 820 submissions from 1,177 #students. Her experiment proposes to understand the mechanisms that make latent viruses reactivate in space.
“I’m excited to see what [my experiment] does in space and use that info to inform future medical decisions,” said Jiang.
She also said she is looking forward to seeing the medical applications of her research here on Earth and to explore a topic that has not yet been studied in space.
Jiang’s research will be the 11th Genes in Space student experiment performed by astronauts aboard the #internationalspacestation, in addition to two program technology demonstration missions. Genes in Space was founded in 2015 as a collaboration between #boeing and miniPCR bio. Since then, the ISS U.S. National Laboratory and New England Biolabs have sponsored the program.
The other finalist proposals that stood out for their potential to positively impact the future of space travel and in their innovative use of the Genes in Space toolkit, include:
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