Jump to content

DAF HEAT conference highlights ‘Pioneers of Change’


Recommended Posts

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Topics

    • By NASA
      4 min read
      Pioneer of Change: America Reyes Wang Makes NASA Space Biology More Open
      America Reyes Wang, the lead of the the Space Biology Biospecimen Sharing Program at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, stands beside a spacesuit display. Photo courtesy of America Reyes Wang As humans return to the Moon and push on toward Mars, scientists are ramping up research into the effects of space on the body to make sure astronauts stay healthy on longer missions. This research often involves spaceflight studies of rodents, insects, and other models in orbiting laboratories such as the International Space Station. However, space-related biological samples are difficult to get, meaning that researchers who want to study space biology are frequently out of luck.
      America Reyes Wang, a KBR employee and the lead of the Space Biology Biospecimen Sharing Program at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California’s Silicon Valley, oversees the team that has changed that. Birthed from an initiative first pioneered in the 1960s, the Biospecimen Sharing Program collects samples and data from NASA non-human space biology studies and makes them available in the public, open NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR). 
      To derive the most benefit from the precious few biology studies taking place in space, Reyes Wang arranges collaborations on space biology dissections with NASA-funded researchers so that her team can collect and preserve unutilized biospecimens for others to use. Outside researchers can request the samples to study in person by writing and submitting proposals. Once analyzed, researchers share their data back with the NASA OSDR for other investigators to access and study.
      The ethos of open science is central to Reyes Wang’s approach to her work. “The samples that we work with are so precious,” she said. “To me, it’s a no-brainer — why not share what we can share?”
      America Reyes Wang wears personal protective equipment (PPE) while working on an activity for NASA’s Biospecimen Sharing Program. Photo courtesy of America Reyes Wang Reyes Wang aspired to work in the scientific or medical field from a young age, driven by her desire to help people. Her father, who was born in El Salvador and dreamed of being an astronaut after watching the 1969 Moon landing, inspired Reyes Wang to fall in love with space. She also credited her Salvadoran and Mexican family with teaching her the value of understanding different experiences. 
      “To me, being Hispanic, especially as a Latina in STEM, means recognizing and building upon the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before me, as well as extending a helping hand to those around me for the betterment of us all,” Reyes Wang said. “It also means enjoying and sharing our vibrant cultures.” 
      As a student at Stanford University, Reyes Wang conducted neurobiology research with rodents, but assumed she would have to choose her love of biology over her love of space. The field of space biology allowed her to combine those interests. Having quietly dreamed of working for NASA for years, she was also thrilled to find that she could work on NASA missions as a space biologist.
      If we want to keep up with the pace of humanity’s aspirations to travel further and for longer … open science is one of the best tools we have for achieving those dreams.
      America Reyes Wang
      Biospecimen Sharing Program Lead
      Reyes Wang first found a role supporting NASA as an experiment support scientist for the agency’s Rodent Research Program. While she no longer facilitates research on the International Space Station in her current position, she uses her scientific expertise and collaborative outlook to guide the Biospecimen Sharing Program in a direction that will most help advance science. 
      Despite space biology’s status as a relatively niche field, Reyes Wang has noted its tremendous impact on the biological sciences, medicine, and technology as a whole. For example, spaceflown biological samples are often used to investigate diseases that affect people on Earth. Reyes Wang’s involvement in accelerating these studies captures her long-held desire to help people.
      “Open science gives the world an opportunity to get these important answers much more quickly,” Reyes Wang said. “If we want to keep up with the pace of humanity’s aspirations to travel further and for longer, we need to pick up the pace when it comes to getting the answers, and I think open science is one of the best tools we have for achieving those dreams.”
      By Lauren Leese 
      Web Content Strategist for the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer
      Share








      Details
      Last Updated Sep 26, 2024 Related Terms
      Biological & Physical Sciences Open Science Space Biology Explore More
      1 min read Women in Astronomy Citizen Science Webinar This Thursday


      Article


      3 days ago
      4 min read NASA Awards 15 Grants to Support Open-Source Science


      Article


      1 month ago
      2 min read Geospatial AI Foundation Model Team Receives NASA Marshall Group Achievement Award 


      Article


      1 month ago
      Keep Exploring Discover Related Topics
      Missions



      Humans in Space



      Climate Change



      Solar System


      View the full article
    • By Space Force
      DAF senior leaders and their spouses discussed the importance of family support for military readiness during a panel at the Air and Space Forces Association’s Air, Space and Cyber Conference.

      View the full article
    • By Space Force
      Dalton emphasized women are one of the U.S.’ competitive advantages as she took attendees on a journey through multiple Airmen and Guardians’ careers and their impacts on real-world operations.

      View the full article
    • By NASA
      NASA Administrator Bill Nelson | Answering Climate Change from Above
    • By Space Force
      The 2024 Air, Space, and Cyber Conference, hosted by the Air and Space Forces Association, offered DAF senior leaders an opportunity to share their views on modernization and readiness in response to emerging security threats, while reaffirming the DAF’s commitment to reoptimization.

      View the full article
  • Check out these Videos

×
×
  • Create New...