3rd Annual “Life in Space” Symposium
The world stands on the brink of an exciting new era in space exploration: Ensuring humans can live healthy lives and produce edible crops off Earth.
Australian research institutions are aligning their efforts to further the study of the impact of low gravity on humans, plants and microbes. Join us at La Trobe University for the 3rd Annual “Life in Space” Symposium and discover the potential for microgravity research, training, and production in Victoria and across Australia in universities, industry, and government.
The symposium will be delivered both in person and online via Zoom.
3rd Annual “Life in Space” Symposium
WHEN: 6 December 2024, 9.00am – 5.45pm
WHERE: Undercroft Lecture Theatre (C121, DMC)
La Trobe University – Melbourne Campus
Plenty Road & Kingsbury Drive
Bundoora VIC 3086
COST: FREE. Morning tea and lunch provided.
Symposium Agenda
9.00am: Opening address
Speakers:
– Professor Patrick Humbert (Director, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science)
– Dr Alessandra Monerris Belda (Australian Space Agency)
9.10am: Success stories – research groups who made it to space in 2024
Speakers:
– Andrew Woolnough (University of Melbourne)
– Dr Rebecca Allen (Swinburne University)
– Dr Gail Iles (RMIT University)
– Professor Patrick Humbert (La Trobe University)
Chair: Alessandra Monerris Belda
–
9.30am: How industry is enabling us to get to space
Speakers:
– Dr Ray Wheeler (NASA Emeritus Fellow)
– Don Love and Rowan Geddes (Enable Aerospace)
Chair: Thomas Mueller
10.20am: Space radiation, isolation, and other space hazards
Speakers:
– Anne Kaur Sodhi (RMIT University)
– Dr Stefania Peracchi (ANSTO)
– Dr Matt Large (Swinburne University)
– Dr Gabrielle Caswell (SpacePort Australia)
Chairs: Gale Isles and Rebecca Allen
–
11.00am: MORNING TEA BREAK (30 mins)
11.30am: International Speaker – DLR
Speaker: Thomas Voigtmann (Mission Lead, Mapheus Program, DLR)
Chair: Professor Mathew Lewsey
11.55am: Microgravity research from the molecular to the cellular
Speakers:
– Dr Sarah Kessans (University of Canterbury, New Zealand)
– Samantha Melrose (La Trobe University)
– Dr Jens Hauslage (DLR)
– Dr Kate Poole (University of New South Wales)
Chairs: Professors Patrick Humbert and Mathew Lewsey
12.35pm: LUNCH BREAK (45 mins)
1.20pm: Space science education and outreach
Speakers:
– Professor Danail Obreschkow (Parabolic Flights WA)
– Ted Tagami (Magnitude.io, San Francisco)
– Dr Connie Darmanin (La Trobe University)
– Dr Kim Johnson (La Trobe Unviersity)
– Dr Rebecca Allen (Swinburne University)
– Dr Rowena Christiansen (University of Melbourne)
– Sally Firenzi (Growing Beyond Earth Program, Royal Botanic Gardens)
Chairs: Professor Brian Abbey and Dr Frazer Thorpe
2.30pm: Food and agriculture in space
Speakers:
– Dr Gabrielle Caswell (SpacePort Australia)
– Dr Ane Aldalur Soto (University of Melbourne)
– Dr Sara Webb (Swinburne University)
– Dr Julia Low (RMIT University)
– Dr Flávia Fayet-Moore (FOODiQ Global)
Chairs: Dr Kim Johnson and Tien Huynh
3.20pm: AFTERNOON BREAK (20 mins)
3.40pm: Living in space
Speakers:
– Dr Bahareh Nakisa (Deakin University)
– Grace Mei Ing Loke and Thejani Prabodha (RMIT University)
– Dr Evie Kendel (Swinburne University)
– Samuel Cox (RMIT University)
– Jonathan Lim (Jus Ad Astra)
– Dr Agata Kolodziejczyk (Analog Astronaut Training Center, Poland)
Chairs: Dr Rowena Christiansen and Kaja Antlej
4.40pm: Final remarks
Speaker: Professor Patrick Humbert
4.45pm – 5.45pm: NETWORKING DRINKS (in person only)
Hosted by the Victorian Microgravity and Space Life Sciences Consortium (VMSLSC)
Supported by:
