Mission Control

UF leads the way at the Space Life Sciences Lab

Andrew Schuerger and Jamie Foster have watched hundreds of rockets launch from the Kennedy Space Center over the course of their two decades at the Space Life Sciences Laboratory, located just 8 miles from the launch pad.

“I try to go out to see absolutely every rocket launch. It’s thrilling, emotionally and psychologically,” says Schuerger, a professor of plant pathology.

Foster, a professor of microbiology and cell science, says she’ll never forget the first time one of her experiments went to space in 2011.

“It was on the space shuttle and there was nothing like going out there, feeling that sound, that vibration coming at you and knowing that you are helping the space program go a little bit forward,” she says.

UF has been the university anchor at the lab, known as the SLSL, for over 20 years, led by Schuerger, Foster and the late Wayne Nicholson. Recently, they were joined by Nils Averesch, an assistant professor of space biology.

“The SLSL is a hotspot for interactions between government, industry and university partners,” says Foster. “It’s a really unique opportunity to take advantage of the Kennedy Space Center being right next door.”

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