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. Each speaker will deliver a short presentation, followed by two interactive Q&A sessions, giving participants the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers and explore practical applications for microbiology, immunology, and human health in space.
Event flyer for “Microbiology, Immunology, and Human Health in Space,” scheduled Friday, December 12, 2025, 1:00–3:00 PM. Includes Starlab and Human Performance Collaborative logos, space background, Earth with orbiting station, and images of microbes and an astronaut.

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. Each speaker will give a 15-minute presentation, and audience questions will be addressed during two dedicated Q&A sessions—one after the industry presentations and another after the academic and government presentations.

  • 1:00 PM – 1:10 PM: Welcome and Starlab / Human Performance Collaborative Overview
  • 1:10 PM – 1:25 PM: Shelby Giza – Director of Business Development Applications, Space Tango
  • 1:25 PM – 1:40 PM: Stefanie Countryman – Director, BioServe Space Technologies, University of Colorado Boulder
  • 1:40 PM – 1:55 PM: Q&A Session (Moderator: Abigail Harrison, Starlab Research Lead, Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Ohio State University)
  • 1:55 PM – 2:10 PM: Michael Oglesbee, DVM, PhD – Director, Infectious Diseases Institute; Professor, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University
  • 2:10 PM – 2:25 PM: Prosper Boyaka, PhD  – Chair and Professor, Department of Veterinary Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University
  • 2:25 PM – 2:40 PM: Michael Goodson, PhD – Research Biologist, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
  • 2:40 PM – 3:00 PM: Q&A Session (Moderator: Abigail Harrison)

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.

Q&A Sessions: Come Prepared!

A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to two interactive Q&A sessions—one after the industry presentations and another after the academic and government presentations. We encourage all participants to bring questions and topics of interest related to microbiology, immunology, and human health in space. 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