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UBC scientist sending yeast and algae to space on Artemis 1

Research Excellence | Strategy 10: Research Culture
Theme: Innovation
Dr. Corey Nislow and his team are sending yeast and algae into space aboard Artemis 1. Photo credit: Justin Ohata/UBC Pharmaceutical Sciences

When NASA’s Artemis 1 lunar mission takes off in September, on board will be four science experiments—including one from Canada.

UBC pharmaceutical sciences professor Dr. Corey Nislow is sending yeast and algae cultures into space, in a pod not much bigger than a shoebox, to study the effects of cosmic rays and near zero gravity on living organisms.

When the spacecraft returns after its un-crewed 42-day orbit around the Moon, Dr. Nislow will get his samples back, along with the information they contain.

In this Q&A on the UBC News website, he explains what the NASA project could mean for medical advances on Earth and in space.

Through Strategy 10: Research Culture, UBC is working to develop the principles and practices that define a collaborative and inclusive research culture and that support mentorship, scholarship, discovery and creativity.