The Food on Artemis II Is Surprisingly Tasty—but It Still Won’t Be Good Enough for Mars (National Geographic)
UF researchers Anna-Lisa Paul and Rob Ferl demonstrated that Arabidopsis thaliana can grow in lunar soil collected during the Apollo missions, marking a major step toward sustainable food production for future space exploration.
UF Scientists Successfully Grow Plants in Moon Soil From Apollo 11 (WCJB TV20)
UF researchers are advancing the possibility of growing food on the moon by successfully cultivating plants in lunar soil collected during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission.
UF Astraeus Faculty Help Shape National Science Strategy for Human Exploration of Mars (UF News)
Two University of Florida researchers with the Astraeus Space Institute played key leadership roles in a major National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine report released in December that will help guide U.S. science priorities for future human missions to Mars.
A Year After Liftoff: UF Scientist Reflects on Historic Space Flight and the Future of Biology Beyond Earth (UF News)
One year after UF researcher Rob Ferl’s groundbreaking Blue Origin suborbital flight, he and collaborator Anna-Lisa Paul continue to reflect on how the mission has shaped their research and advanced the culture of space science.
UF Plant Biologist Anna-Lisa Paul Receives SURA’s Distinguished Scientist Award (UF News)
UF researcher Anna-Lisa Paul has been named a recipient of the Southeastern Universities Research Association’s (SURA) 2025 Distinguished Scientist Award, recognizing her groundbreaking contributions to space biology and her leadership in advancing scientific exploration beyond Earth.
Seeding Exploration
UF researchers Rob Ferl and Anna-Lisa Paul are advancing space agriculture by successfully growing plants in lunar soil, a breakthrough that supports the future of human space exploration.
Interview With Dr. Rob Ferl & Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul of Astraeus Space Institute
UF space researchers Dr. Rob Ferl and Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul share insights and discuss key discoveries from their research on the potential for life in space.
Rob Ferl and Anna-Lisa Paul Fall 2024 Commencement Speech
At the 2024 UF Fall Commencement, Dr. Rob Ferl and Dr. Anna-Lisa Paul delivered an inspiring speech emphasizing the power of collaboration and shared journeys.
Out of This World: UF Fall Commencement Speakers Announced
UF researchers Rob Ferl, Ph.D., and Anna-Lisa Paul, Ph.D., will be the speakers for the University of Florida’s Fall Commencement ceremonies Dec. 13 and 14.
UF Researchers Study How To Grow Food on the Moon
UF is helping NASA build a permanent moon colony by growing plants in moon soil, a breakthrough that could benefit Florida and beyond as NASA prepares to send astronauts around the moon in 2025.