A Stellar Achievement: Dr. Kirk Jensen Joins NASA’s elite STAR Program

As we conclude National Science Week 2023, we are delighted to share a truly exceptional achievement that resonates with the spirit of innovation and inspiration.  It is with great excitement that we can reveal the news of Dr Kirk Jensen’s selection into NASA’s prestigious STAR (Space Technology Advanced Research) program.  This achievement marks a significant milestone in Kirk’s career, reflecting his brilliance and commitment to excellence in Single Cell and Spatial Biology.

The STAR program

The STAR program, launched by NASA in 2020, was created to provide a dedicated training pathway for researchers with established careers in the life sciences to enter the field of space bioscience. NASA had earlier understood that the depth and breadth of knowledge required to successfully use spacecraft as a research laboratory was a major impediment to attracting researchers to apply their expertise to space-based research projects. In response, the STAR program was born, with the goal to equip outstanding academic and industry researchers with the fundamental knowledge to facilitate them to design and conduct experiments in space.[1]

The program's curriculum covers the fundamentals of space biology, the technical and logistical aspects of space-based experimentation and connects STAR participants to investigators with prior mission experience, to developers of spaceflight technology, and to flight providers themselves.

As one of the most competitive and sought after space research programs globally, being selected as a STAR program participant is a tremendous honour and opportunity.  Not only does it open doors to groundbreaking research and exploration, but it also provides a platform for personal and professional growth, allowing participants to make a lasting impact on the future of space technology.

Our Stellar Star: Dr Kirk Jensen

We shine the spotlight on Dr Kirk Jensen, whose passion and expertise in the field of Single Cell and Spatial Biology have made this achievement possible. Working in the Single Cell and Spatial Omics Laboratory under the leadership of Associate Professor Luciano Martelotto, a world leader in single cell and spatial biology, Kirk joined AGRF earlier this year and was seconded to the South Australian immunoGENomics Cancer Institute (SAiGENCI) and the Adelaide Centre for Epigenetics (ACE) at the University of Adelaide. Here he undertakes the pivotal role of evaluating the potential suitability of various single cell and spatial biology platforms with the aim of potentially incorporating them into AGRF’s range of services. Kirk’s ability to tackle complex challenges and drive to develop a deep understanding of how the space environment affects human biology highlights his potential to develop the field to new heights.

“The STAR program is a bit of a crash course in what you absolutely need to know about conducting biological research in space” Kirk explains. “The ultimate goal for me is to do spatial (biology) in space.” The unique partnership between AGRF, SAiGENCI and ACE presents an unparalleled opportunity to examine how fundamental aspects of developmental biology and/or tumor biology work in microgravity, and to interrogate it with state-of-the-art spatial biology and sequencing technologies. "Critically, the STAR program will also connect us to the funding and flight providers that are essential to actually getting our experiment into space.” says Kirk, whose dedication to his work has made him a stellar choice for NASA.

Paving the way for a bright future

Kirk’s success serves as a shining example for aspiring researchers and scientists within our organisation and beyond.  It reinforces that with passion, hard work, and a continual pursuit of knowledge, we can reach new frontiers and achieve the extraordinary. We eagerly await to see what lies ahead as Kirk embarks on a journey of discoveries and breakthroughs that will inspire us all to dream bigger and strive for excellence. Congratulations on this outstanding achievement Kirk.  We look forward to seeing your continued success and the bright future that lies ahead.

Follow the link if you would like to learn more about NASA’s STAR Program | Science Mission Directorate.

References:
[1] NASA’s STAR Program, Accessed 31 July 2023, https://science.nasa.gov/biological-physical/programs/star

DR KIRK JENSEN