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Tobias NiederwieserÌý
Assistant Research Professor, BioServe Space TechnologiesÌý
Friday, Sept. 5 | 10:40 A.M. | AERO 111

Abstract: The International Space Station (ISS) has transformed over the past 15 years from a construction project into a unique laboratory for microgravity research. Our developed facilities and established protocols helped in the establishment of this laboratory and enabled various cutting-edge mammalian cell culture studies. With the planned decommissioning of the ISS in 2030 and the transition to commercial space stations, there is hope that experiments will continue to evolve: space stations could become biological production facilities for proteins, cells, and organs that are used in therapies on Earth, while basic research focuses on the effects of dangerous space radiation on the journey to the Moon. Hence, the future LEO focus is now targeted on developing in-space manufacturing capabilities. Of particular research focus is therefore the in-space manufacturing of various types of stem cells for producing treatments against common diseases here on Earth.Ìý

Bio: Tobias Niederwieser is an Assistant Research Professor at BioServe Space Technologies within the ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø. In varying roles up to Principal Investigator, he has outfitted the ISS with more than 250 kg of scientific equipment, supported over 22 rocket launches, and enabled more than 75 groundbreaking experiments. Additionally, Tobias was involved in the DSRG radiation biology experiment onboard Artemis-I conducting the furthest active biology experiment with sample return ever performed by humanity. He received both his PhD and MS in Aeronautical Engineering Sciences from ºÚÁÏÉçÇøÍø in 2018 and 2015, respectively, and his BSc in Aerospace Engineering from the Technical University Munich in 2013. Dr. Niederwieser also graduated from the Space Studies Program of the International Space University at the Technion – Israel Institute of Technologies in 2016. Dr. Niederwieser is honored to have received the AIAA Orville and Wilbur Wright Graduate Award, Aviation Week’s Twenty20s Award, as well as the NASA’s Silver Group Achievement Award.