NSBRI Renews Space Life Sciences Graduate Programs at MIT, Texas A&M

HOUSTON, Aug. 9, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Space Biomedical Research Institute (NSBRI) has renewed awards for its Graduate Education Program in Space Life Sciences to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Texas A&M University. In its seventh year, this innovative education program allows participating students to work toward a Ph.D. that focuses specifically on space life sciences. MIT and Texas A&M will each receive $1 million over a five-year period.

"MIT and Texas A&M are two leading academic institutions that have made significant contributions to the nation's human spaceflight program," said Dr. Jeffrey P. Sutton, NSBRI president and CEO. "NSBRI is proud to continue support for graduate education programs at Texas A&M and MIT. These programs have been successful in training outstanding young scientists and engineers in space life sciences and in promoting research excellence in the next generation of space biomedical leaders."

Students participating in the Texas A&M University Ph.D. Training Program in Space Life Sciences earn a Certificate in Space Life Sciences. This is in addition to a doctorate in genetics, kinesiology, nuclear engineering (health physics), nutrition or medical sciences from the university.

The Bioastronautics Ph.D. Program at MIT is a part of the Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology. This program combines training in space life sciences, aerospace engineering and space medicine.

In addition to training students, the NSBRI Graduate Education Program is developing and evaluating education modules at MIT and A&M that can be implemented at other accredited doctoral programs across the nation.

Each summer, students from the MIT and Texas A&M programs participate in an enrichment program in Houston. Summer activities include the week-long Summer Bioastronautics Institute at NSBRI Headquarters. The Institute features space life sciences and professional development lectures by NSBRI and NASA scientists and Baylor College of Medicine faculty. Participants then receive a nine-week assignment at Johnson Space Center.

NSBRI, funded by NASA, is a consortium of institutions studying the health risks related to long-duration spaceflight and developing the medical technologies needed for long missions. NSBRI's science, technology and education projects take place at more than 60 institutions across the United States.

For more information about NSBRI, please visit www.nsbri.org.

SOURCE National Space Biomedical Research Institute