Out of this World

Layna Depping ’25, Sam Derning ’25, Paul Llamas ’25 and Maddy Streicher ’25 have enjoyed some amazing research opportunities during their time at Simpson, but nothing compares to the collective thrill of their current work together doing astrobiology research for NASA. 

“My other research has been in life sciences, drug metabolism and prevention of overdose, things like that,” said Derning. “This is just completely out of my wheelhouse — growing an organism in an environment that hasn’t been grown in before. So, being on the cutting edge of this kind of research is super cool.” 

The students’ rare opportunity is made possible by an Iowa NASA EPSCoR Research Building seed grant secured by their mentor Associate Professor of Biology and Environmental Science Dr. Aswati Subramanian. The $30,600 grant supports NASA-relevant science and engineering research within Iowa.  

Doing Weighty Science 

Working with Dr. Subramanian and two collaborators at NASA, the students will spend this academic year examining how microorganisms called Tetrahymena can grow at hypergravity and microgravity. Each student will carry out specific roles as they do tests employing a centrifuge machine and a 3D-printer to create the centrifugal forces necessary for producing different gravitational conditions. 

“Since I was a kid, I’ve been interested in knowing more about space,” said Llamas, a biology major from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. “Combining that interest with my passion for learning more about how cells change in different conditions is a dream come true. I hope to get a good understanding of astrobiology research and apply it to my future research on different types of brain cells.”  

Streicher says she sees the extraordinary opportunity to do NASA research as a springboard to even greater things ahead.  

“I feel like this is really just the beginning for me,” said Streicher. “This project and working so closely with doctor S [Subramanian] really sets up success in my future in thinking critically like a researcher and asking questions that nobody’s thought of before. It’s just about constantly pushing the boundaries of current knowledge. That’s not only valuable for my career, but it also benefits potentially limitless numbers of people.”   

Faculty Mentors Make Their Impact 

Depping shares Streicher’s gratefulness for Subramanian’s mentorship, along with the mentoring she’s received from other Simpson faculty.  

“I’ve particularly appreciated Dr. Subramanian’s encouragement to pursue my interests and her openness to exploring new ideas,” said Depping. “She is always eager to dive into new projects and is genuinely enthusiastic about getting involved and helping in any way she can.” 

In Derning’s case, he is also quick to underscore the profound impact Dr. Derek Lyons, associate professor of chemistry, has had on his development as a scientist. Lyons helped Derning secure a summer research opportunity at the University of Kansas Medical Center, while also working side by side with him at Simpson. 

“Professor Lyons has been incredibly influential,” said Derning. “He’s just helped me so much. We’ve done a lot of great research together and we have a good relationship outside of the lab. He’s even helped me write my personal statement for pharmacy school.” 

Indeed, Derning and his research mates have some lofty aspirations post Simpson. Derning has already been accepted at the University of North Carolina School of Pharmacy — the #1 pharmacy school in the nation.  

Depping is destined for medical school in the Midwest, exploring and interviewing with Des Moines University and the University of Iowa’s Carver College of Medicine. Llamas is looking at several neuroscience Ph.D. programs, including Rochester University, Yale and MIT. Streicher is eager to pursue a Ph.D. program in either cancer biology or immunology, preferably in the Midwest, as well. 

Just Getting Started 

Subramanian says many more Simpson students are likely to benefit from unique research opportunities with NASA, as she looks to apply to more extensive federally distributed NASA-EPSCoR grants. 

“Such projects make academia exciting, accessible, inclusive and engaging for our students,” said Subramanian. “In the future, I plan to expand this research to include other departments and divisions across campus. There is significant potential for interdisciplinary collaboration.” 

Subramanian hopes to secure sufficient grant funding to establish a space biology lab at Simpson. She says such a lab would create more student research opportunities while also building a pipeline for those students to join NASA labs for summer internships and/or post-graduate studies.