In this special episode of The STEM Yard, Alonzo sits down with Pristine Onuoha, winner of the 2022 Genes in Space student research competition and her AP Biology teacher Kimberly Manning. 

Pristine discusses her award-winning research project and the exciting role it will play in better understanding how space travel affects DNA. Kimberly shares her tips for encouraging students like Pristine to excel in the classroom and beyond. The dynamic duo showcases the power STEM education has on transforming research and student success.

Onuoha’s project, which will launch to the International Space Station (ISS) on June 3, 2023. Her research investigates spaceflight-induced lengthening of telomeres, which are sections of DNA that protect chromosomes. Telomere length can serve as a biomarker for aging and can help predict a person’s risk for certain diseases. Results from Onuoha’s experiment could lead to a better understanding of aging, cancer development, and how the body heals itself.

The competition was founded by Boeing and miniPCR bio and supported by the ISS National Laboratory and New England BioLabs, the Genes in Space program challenges 7-12 grade students to propose DNA-based experiments that leverage the unique environment of the ISS.

Watch Pristine's project launch into space on June 3rd at 12:34 pm!

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The STEM Yard is a production of The Science House at NC State University. Our show is produced by Valerie Bass with assistance from the NC Science Olympiad. We are supported by funding from The Backyard Foundation.