Biology professor at Xavier University awarded $150,000 grant from NASA

Kelly Crowe, who is an assistant professor of Biology at Xavier University, has been awarded $150,000 from NASA to research a unique problem facing those who take flight in space. Muscular atrophy and similar bodily effects are possible in prolonged space flights for astronauts, and Crowe and her students are setting out to find out how to combat these issues.

According to an article on Xavier University’s website, Crowe discussed what drew her to applying for NASA’s grant that aimed to have scientists look into space biology as it applies to their current research specialities, saying, “Immediately, I thought that sounded incredibly cool,” Crowe said. “I'm a skeletal muscle researcher, and it makes a lot of sense that this tissue is significantly affected in spaceflight. You're used to significant load on your muscles from gravity — when you're in a spaceflight environment, all that load is gone and your muscles shrink in response.”

Muscle atrophy in space is caused by weak gravity. Crowe and her students will look at the loss of muscle mass and try to figure out a way to slow the atrophy or to identify supplements or therapies astronauts could use to combat the process.

Crowe first heard about the grant, called Spaceflight Technology, Applications and Research, or STAR, in 2020, and applied. She said, “This was actually the first NASA grant that I've written, so it’s particularly exciting that it was selected for funding. I can’t wait to begin working with my students on this project.”

The research Crowe will be doing on this grant was inspired by and first started by two of her students, Brianna Mackey and Nate Mazza. The two studied the topic last year and presented their findings at the Ohio Academy of Science Annual Meeting.

Crowe was excited to tell Mackey and Mazza that their research and ideas led to Xavier and Crowe being able to take on the NASA grant. “It reminded me of why I do research and why working with undergraduate students is so fantastic — they bring such excitement and passion to the work,” said Crowe.

There have been numerous occasions during which Crowe has had the opportunity to meet astronauts and check out NASA itself. She has attended NASA workshops and has traveled to Kennedy Space Center and Johnson Space Center. 

Despite having an interest in space and astronauts, Crowe herself would prefer to continue her research on Earth.

2023 has been an exciting year for Crowe, having won another grant award earlier in the year. She was awarded $20,000 from Uplifting Athletes to look into gene therapy for GNE myopathy. 

For more information about Xavier University, visit the school’s website.