Human Performance Collaborative

Microbiology, Immunology, and Human Health in Space

This virtual workshop will be hosted on Zoom and will feature leading experts in microbiology and immunology. The session will conclude with an interactive panel discussion, giving participants the chance to engage directly with the speakers and explore practical applications for microbiology, immunology, and human health in space.
Promotional graphic for an event titled “Microbiology, Immunology, and Human Health in Space.” The text states: Friday, December 12, 2025 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM. Logos for Starlab and the Human Performance Collaborative (HPC) are displayed. The background features a starry space scene at the top and two scientific illustrations at the bottom: one showing rod-shaped bacteria and another showing spherical viruses with spike-like structures.

Meeting Details

When: December 12, 2025

1:00 PM – 3:00 PM

Where: Zoom

Featuring Leading Academic, Government, and Industry Partners

Immune Systems and Microbiomes for Spaceflight

This is the second session of the Exploring Bioastronautics Research at Ohio State series, presented by the Human Performance Collaborative and Starlab, and will be held on Friday, December 12, 2025. Speakers will have five minutes for questions following their fifteen-minute presentations.

  • 1:00 PM – 1:10 PM: Welcome and Starlab / Human Performance Collaborative Overview
  • 1:10 PM – 1:30 PM: Michael Oglesbee, DVM, PhD – Director, Infectious Diseases Institute; Professor, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University
  • 1:30 PM – 1:50 PM: Prosper Boyaka, PhD  – Chair and Professor, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University
  • 1:50 PM – 2:10 PM: Michael Goodson, PhD – Research Biologist, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
  • 2:10 PM – 2:30 PM: Shelby Giza – Director of Business Development Applications, Space Tango
  • 2:10 PM – 3:00 PM: Panel Discussion with the Speakers (Moderator: Abigail Harrison, Starlab Research Lead, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University)

This session will explore the spectrum of microbial ecology and infectious disease considerations relevant to space habitats, examine microbiome dynamics across human and environmental systems, and set the stage for a focused overview of immune system regulation, mucosal immunity, and the influence of the host and environmental microbiome as critical considerations for astronaut health. Industry representatives will share the process of preparing and operating biological research in low-Earth orbit.

Panel Discussion: Come Prepared!

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to the interactive panel discussion. We encourage all participants to bring questions and topics of interest related to microbiology, immunology, and human health. This is your opportunity to engage directly with experts, share ideas, and explore emerging challenges and opportunities in the field.

Academic, Government, and Industry Speakers