View From the Cupola: Ken Savin

Hello, and welcome to another edition of Upward magazine. This issue is especially meaningful to me, and I am excited—and even a little proud—to help introduce it.

First, a little about my own journey. About 15 years ago, while working at Eli Lilly and Company, I received a call from the International Space Station (ISSInternational Space Station) National Laboratory asking if I would be interested in flying my research to space. I, along with dozens of my colleagues at Lilly, conducted five experiments on the ISS: two focused on protein crystal growth, one on lyophilization (freeze drying), one on dissolution (how quickly a drug goes into solution), and one testing a drug to treat muscle wasting.

After retiring from pharma, I soon found myself on the other side of the table, working for the ISS National Lab to engage industrial and academic researchers whose work could benefit from space. From there, I served as chief scientist at Redwire and am now the chief scientific officer at BioOrbit, a London-based startup.

During my time at the ISS National Lab, I had the opportunity to work alongside world-class experts across many disciplines, and two of those scientists are featured in this issue.

The cover story highlights groundbreaking brain organoid research from two groups, one led by Alysson Muotri at the University of California, San Diego, and the other by Paula Grisanti at the National Stem Cell Foundation. While working at the ISS National Lab, I had the privilege of introducing Alysson to space-based research and supporting some of his early studies. These teams are working to develop models of complex neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and severe forms of autism. Through microgravityThe condition of perceived weightlessness created when an object is in free fall, for example when an object is in orbital motion. Microgravity alters many observable phenomena within the physical and life sciences, allowing scientists to study things in ways not possible on Earth. The International Space Station provides access to a persistent microgravity environment. studies using 3D brain organoids that mimic the structure and function of the human brain, the researchers aim to better understand these diseases and find treatments for patients. Work in this area has the potential not only to advance knowledge of neurological diseases but also to improve models for pharmaceutical testing, which could lead to lower costs, faster time to market, and even personalized medicine.

The second feature focuses on research from another scientist I worked with while at the ISS National Lab: Brian Schanen of Sanofi, who serves as site head for the company’s Orlando operations. Big pharmaceutical companies like Sanofi are built for ambitious research, and Brian’s team turned to space to better understand immune system aging. Their goal is to develop more effective vaccines, particularly for older adults. As we age, our immune function deteriorates, and it turns out that astronauts often experience a similar immune decline during long-duration space missions. By studying the effects of microgravity on immune cells, Sanofi hoped to gain deeper insight into the factors that drive immune system decline and uncover solutions that improve human health.

The third feature centers on a team from Portland State University that used the ISS to test a holographic microscope called ELVIS, which could one day aid in the search for life beyond Earth. One of the most significant advances in science during the 20^th century was the development of tools that allow us to see chemical and biological processes as they happen. But on the ISS, these tools have not always been available, and experiments in space operated a bit like a black box. Scientists had to rely on astronauts’ descriptions and imagery to understand what was happening and couldn’t analyze samples until they returned to Earth. We are now starting to see the impact of new technologies like ELVIS that enable in-orbit analysis. The ability to observe experiments as they unfold and potentially eliminate the need to return samples to Earth will be critical for future missions looking for life on distant worlds.

Together, these projects reflect the best of what the ISS National Lab makes possible: providing access to the unique space environment and its potential to deepen our understanding of biology, improve our lives, and open our eyes to the wonders of the universe.

I hope you enjoy this issue as much as I do!