Workshop Details
Date: October 23, 2026
Time: 1-3 p.m. ET
Location: Zoom
Funding the Future of Bioastronautics
This virtual workshop will bring together academic and industry experts for a practical look at the funding landscape for research that supports humans in space. Speakers will share their perspectives through short presentations followed by a moderated panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Featuring Academic Researchers and Industry Experts
Exploring Funding Opportunities for Space Research
This is the first session of the 2026-2027 Exploring Bioastronautics Research in Space series, presented by The Ohio State University Human Performance Collaborative and Starlab. Join us Friday, October 23, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. virtually on Zoom for a practical look at the funding landscape for research that supports humans in space.
- 1–1:10 p.m.: Welcome and Starlab / Human Performance Collaborative Overview
- 1:10–1:30 p.m.: Stephanie Buehler, PhD, research development specialist, Ohio State
- 1:30–1:50 p.m.: Brad Henderson, MBA, chief commercial officer, Starlab Space
- 1:50–2:10 p.m.: Brandon Kortokrax, MBA, principal, E2MC (Earth-to-Mars Capital)
- 2:10–2:30 p.m.: Michael E. Vinje, KSC lead, SBIR Program, John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA
- 2:30–3 p.m.: Panel Discussion – Moderated by: Abigail Harrison, Starlab research lead, College of Engineering, Ohio State
Great science needs a path to orbit, and that path starts with funding. This workshop will explore opportunities across academic, commercial and government channels, how to position a bioastronautics project for flight, and what reviewers and partners look for in a strong proposal. Whether you're shaping your first space-relevant idea or preparing to expand an existing program, the session will provide a clearer understanding of available funding pathways and how to pursue them.
Panel Discussion: Come Prepared!
A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to an interactive panel discussion. We encourage all participants to bring questions and topics of interest related to funding bioastronautics research in space. This is your opportunity to engage directly with experts, share ideas, and explore emerging challenges and opportunities in the field.
Speakers:
Stephanie Buehler, PhD – research development specialist, Enterprise for Research, Innovation and Knowledge, Ohio State
Brad Henderson, MBA – chief commercial officer, Starlab Space
Brandon Kortokrax, MBA – principal, E2MC (Earth-to-Mars Capital)
Michael E. Vinje – KSC lead, SBIR Program, John F. Kennedy Space Center, NASA
Biography: Mike works leads Kennedy Space Center’s Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Research (SBIR/STTR) activities. Mike is also one of KSC’s Small Business Technical Advisors. In this role he works to improve NASA’s utilization of this critical segment of industry. In 2022 he was named NASA’s Small Business Technical Advisor of the year.
Mike received a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Washington State University after serving in the U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division. He began his KSC engineering career in 1999 on the Space Shuttle as a contractor working the Orbiter Main Propulsion Systems, where he developed repairs and manned the firing room console during test and launch operations.
His latest work includes Project Voice, which provides new infusion and marketing pathways for SBIR companies via Digital Engineering techniques such as Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) and simulations.