Astraeus Space Institute

Research Scientist working on UV Astrophysics and Space-based Instrumentation

My colleagues and I send plants into space to try to understand how terrestrial life responds to living in space and what that means for the future of human space travel. We have also used harsh environments on Earth, like Antarctica, to understand how to support astronauts on the Moon, Mars and beyond. As co-chair of the National Academies' Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences Research in Space 2023-2032, I advocated for a greater investment in space biology and physical science as a key to future human missions, and as director of the UF space institute I am helping to leverage the work of more than 100 scientists working in space-related fields across our institution.My colleagues and I send plants into space to try to understand how terrestrial life responds to living in space and what that means for the future of human space travel. We have also used harsh environments on Earth, like Antarctica, to understand how to support astronauts on the Moon, Mars, and beyond. As co-chair of the National Academies' Decadal Survey on Biological and Physical Sciences Research in Space 2023-2032, I advocated for greater investment in space biology and physical science as a key to future human missions. As director of the Astraeus Space Institute, I am helping to leverage the work of more than 100 scientists working in space-related fields across our institution.

Jamie Foster is a Full Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Science at the University of Florida. Her research lab is located off-campus at the Space Life Sciences Lab located near the Kennedy Space Center. 

Jamie also serves as an Assitant Director of the Astraues Space Institute where she is spearheading several initiatives to grow the space biomanufacturing sector through collaborations between academia, government and industrial partnerships.

Jamie has also served the larger research community by serviing as a Board Member of the FLorida Space Grant Consortium, as a former President of the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research, and as a president of the Florida American Society for Microbiology.

Jamie is also currently Editor-in-Chief of the research journal Gravitational and Space Research.