USA (Transatlantic Today) – Alba Sánchez Montalvo, a biotechnologist and researcher from Granada, participated in the ‘Mars UCLouvain’ project. This initiative took eight scientists to the Utah desert, United States, to simulate the conditions of Mars.
Early Passion for Space
From an early age, Sánchez Montalvo was attracted by outer space, fantasicing about the Moon, galaxies, and space exploration. However, in high school, she struggled with physics and mathematics, prompting her to change her attention to biotechnology. Unexpectedly, her work path led her to don an astronaut suit for a Mars mission simulation as part of the Mars UCLouvain Project.
Mars Society’s Non-Profit Initiative
According to Infobae, The Mars UCLouvain project, part of the Mars Society, aims to send researchers and students from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium, to a space station in the Utah desert. This location, chosen for its geological and biological similarities to Mars, hosted Sánchez Montalvo and her team from March 31 to April 14. The experience significantly influenced her perspective on her future career.
Life-Changing Experience
Sánchez Montalvo described the simulation as a life-changing event, offering her a unique glimpse into the world of space research. Despite not pursuing a career in space initially, the simulation allowed her to engage with the field she had always been curious about.
Daily Routine and Research Focus
During the two-week mission, the team adhered to a strict schedule, waking up at 7:00 AM to conduct extravehicular activities in spacesuits, simulating Mars’ unbreathable atmosphere. Their diet consisted of freeze-dried foods, similar to what astronauts consume.
Afternoons were dedicated to individual scientific projects. Sánchez Montalvo’s research involved collecting blood and saliva samples from her colleagues to study the inflammatory response. This research is crucial as astronauts often experience pain and inflammation during space travel, particularly in the head due to excess blood in the skull, along with other health issues upon returning to Earth.
Advocating for Women in Science
Sánchez Montalvo emphasised the importance of having women role models in science. She cited the influence of two women scientists in her career: her internship tutor at CSIC and the president of her doctoral jury. She advocates for increased investment in science and research in Spain and highlights the need for more female role models to inspire future generations.
Future Aspirations
With a few months remaining to complete her doctorate on immunoglobulin A and its impact on chronic sinusitis patients, Sánchez Montalvo plans to continue her research in studying the immune system of astronauts. This focus aims to contribute to understanding how space conditions affect human health.
