About
The Project
Long considered out-of-reach territory, the boundaries of human spaceflight are expanding, and with it the risks of the unknown. For both satisfying scientific curiosity and addressing the pressing resource limitations on Earth, utility of planets and galaxies beyond is critical. The biological limitations delaying human occupation of these distant habits need to be addressed.
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Chile is uniquely fit for this study owing to its natural marvel, the Atacama Desert. Long paralleled with Martian environments and conditions, it is the driest non-polar desert on Earth and features a signature soil composition high in sodium nitrate. Native bacteria and other organisms capable of withstanding these extreme conditions are extraordinary models for space-omics applications.
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My goal is to study the organisms capable of survival in this extreme environment and identify genetic elements which may enable humans to achieve the same.
Image Credit: Condé Nast
The Researcher
Hello! My name is Rudy Utzschneider. I am a Fulbright semifinalist and candidate for the National Geographic Award seeking support for genetic research in Chile.
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I am a motivated Biotechnology M.Sc. student at Brown University and an alumnus of the University College of London. In addition to these academic ties, I have gained industry experience from roles at Pfizer, Siemens Healthineers, Sanofi, and NYU Langone Health.
Beyond the bench, I am a proud New England native and huge fan of the outdoors. When I am not studying, you can find me skiing, sailing, hiking, or climbing somewhere in rural Massachusetts.