Houston, TX -- 24 NOV 09
University of California Student Works with NASA to Develop Scientific Processes and Technologies for Long Term Space Exploration
Houston, TX – November 13, 2009: California resident Konstantin Malley is a Fall 2009 intern for NASA Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP). Malley is working in the Astromaterials Research and Exploration Science branch at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.
Malley works with the NASA mentor Dr. Igor Brown in studying the unique functions of cyanobacteria or blue-green algae to make extended lunar habitation and exploration possible. The overall goal of this project is to develop and test an innovative bio-processing system for air regeneration and the extraction of different elements that could help sustain long term human exploration on the Moon and Mars.
“I enjoy seeing the lunar rovers drive outside my window, touring Ellington Field and the NBL, the lecture with Dr. Chris Kraft, meeting people who are directly involved in helping the shuttle and station fly,” comment Malley.
Malley is a senior at the University of California – Davis. He expects to graduate with both Biochemistry & Molecular Biology degrees in June 2010.
“My biology teacher in high school and the experiments she designed made me excited about science and discovery,” adds Malley about his academic path.
Source: Jackie Juergens of the Universities Space Research Association
