{"id":12067,"date":"2024-09-26T12:29:03","date_gmt":"2024-09-26T16:29:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/pioneer-of-change-america-reyes-wang-makes-nasa-space-biology-more-open\/"},"modified":"2024-09-26T12:29:03","modified_gmt":"2024-09-26T16:29:03","slug":"pioneer-of-change-america-reyes-wang-makes-nasa-space-biology-more-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zobi.alcowep.com\/bourtagshdrevxnls658739\/pioneer-of-change-america-reyes-wang-makes-nasa-space-biology-more-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Pioneer of Change: America Reyes Wang Makes NASA Space Biology More Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

Pioneer of Change: America Reyes Wang Makes NASA Space Biology More Open<\/h2>\n

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4 min read<\/p>\n

Pioneer of Change: America Reyes Wang Makes NASA Space Biology More Open<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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America Reyes Wang, the lead of the the Space Biology Biospecimen Sharing Program at NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley, stands beside a spacesuit display. <\/div>\n
Photo courtesy of America Reyes Wang<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As humans return to the Moon and push on toward Mars, scientists are ramping up research into the effects of space on the body to make sure astronauts stay healthy on longer missions. This research often involves spaceflight studies of rodents, insects, and other models in orbiting laboratories such as the International Space Station. However, space-related biological samples are difficult to get, meaning that researchers who want to study space biology are frequently out of luck.<\/p>\n

America Reyes Wang, a KBR employee and the lead of the Space Biology Biospecimen Sharing Program<\/a> at NASA\u2019s Ames Research Center in California\u2019s Silicon Valley, oversees the team that has changed that. Birthed from an initiative first pioneered in the 1960s, the Biospecimen Sharing Program collects samples and data from NASA non-human space biology studies and makes them available in the public, open NASA Open Science Data Repository (OSDR)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

To derive the most benefit from the precious few biology studies taking place in space, Reyes Wang arranges collaborations on space biology dissections with NASA-funded researchers so that her team can collect and preserve unutilized biospecimens for others to use. Outside researchers can request the samples to study in person by writing and submitting proposals. Once analyzed, researchers share their data back with the NASA OSDR for other investigators to access and study.<\/p>\n

The ethos of open science is central to Reyes Wang\u2019s approach to her work. \u201cThe samples that we work with are so precious,\u201d she said. \u201cTo me, it\u2019s a no-brainer \u2014 why not share what we can share?\u201d<\/p>\n

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America Reyes Wang wears personal protective equipment (PPE) while working on an activity for NASA\u2019s Biospecimen Sharing Program.<\/div>\n
Photo courtesy of America Reyes Wang<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Reyes Wang aspired to work in the scientific or medical field from a young age, driven by her desire to help people. Her father, who was born in El Salvador and dreamed of being an astronaut after watching the 1969 Moon landing, inspired Reyes Wang to fall in love with space. She also credited her Salvadoran and Mexican family with teaching her the value of understanding different experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cTo me, being Hispanic, especially as a Latina in STEM, means recognizing and building upon the hard work and sacrifices of those who came before me, as well as extending a helping hand to those around me for the betterment of us all,\u201d Reyes Wang said. \u201cIt also means enjoying and sharing our vibrant cultures.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

As a student at Stanford University, Reyes Wang conducted neurobiology research with rodents, but assumed she would have to choose her love of biology over her love of space. The field of space biology allowed her to combine those interests. Having quietly dreamed of working for NASA for years, she was also thrilled to find that she could work on NASA missions as a space biologist.<\/p>\n

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If we want to keep up with the pace of humanity\u2019s aspirations to travel further and for longer \u2026 open science is one of the best tools we have for achieving those dreams.<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
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\"America<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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America Reyes Wang<\/p>\n

Biospecimen Sharing Program Lead<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Reyes Wang first found a role supporting NASA as an experiment support scientist for the agency\u2019s Rodent Research Program. While she no longer facilitates research on the International Space Station in her current position, she uses her scientific expertise and collaborative outlook to guide the Biospecimen Sharing Program in a direction that will most help advance science.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite space biology\u2019s status as a relatively niche field, Reyes Wang has noted its tremendous impact on the biological sciences, medicine, and technology as a whole. For example, spaceflown biological samples are often used to investigate diseases that affect people on Earth. Reyes Wang\u2019s involvement in accelerating these studies captures her long-held desire to help people.<\/p>\n

\u201cOpen science gives the world an opportunity to get these important answers much more quickly,\u201d Reyes Wang said. \u201cIf we want to keep up with the pace of humanity\u2019s aspirations to travel further and for longer, we need to pick up the pace when it comes to getting the answers, and I think open science is one of the best tools we have for achieving those dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

By\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>Lauren Leese<\/em><\/strong><\/a>\u00a0
Web Content Strategist for the Office of the Chief Science Data Officer<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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