Mar 24
a/perture cinema Winston-Salem, NC
TicketsGabrielle N. Erwin
Biological Sciences Major and Researcher, Winston-Salem State University
andNick Oberlies
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The Martian— Food for Thought: Agriculture and Fungi in Space
Program Description
Following the inspirational tale of fictional astronaut Mark Watney in THE MARTIAN, join a/perture cinema with two distinguished professors from the Triad to discuss the real-life process of providing agriculture for astronauts in space, as well as the exploration of fungi as a source of building materials during space travel and research. Comparing real-life science with science fiction, Dr. Nick Oberlies of UNC Greensboro and Gabrielle N. Erwin, researcher at Winston-Salem State University, have spent their careers developing an understanding of the effects of chemistry and agriculture, and how they can develop in space.
This event is part of the National Evening of Science on Screen. Learn more.
Film Synopsis
When astronauts mistakenly leave Mark Watney behind on Mars, the stranded visitor must use his wits, spirit, and scientific know-how to find a way to survive on the hostile planet.
During a manned mission to Mars, Astronaut Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is presumed dead after a fierce storm and left behind by his crew. But Watney has survived and finds himself stranded and alone on the hostile planet. With only meager supplies, he must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Millions of miles away, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring "the Martian" home, while his crewmates concurrently plot a daring, if not impossible, rescue mission. As these stories of incredible bravery unfold, the world comes together to root for Watney's safe return. Based on the best-selling novel by Andy Weir, and helmed by master director Ridley Scott, The Martian was nominated for three Golden Globes.
About the Speaker
Working at the intersection of astrobotany and regenerative medicine, she researches the effects of space-related stressors on astronaut health. As part of Dr. Rafael Loureiro’s research team, she studies stress-resilient crop plants and the development of regolith-based agriculture for off-world cultivation. Her research has even traveled to space aboard Blue Origin NS-31.
Nick Oberlies is the Patricia A. Sullivan Distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His research group studies the chemistry of Nature in pursuit of anticancer and antibiotic drug leads, often funding by the National Institutes of Health. In particular, they study the chemistry of fungi. Recently, this has included a project funded by NASA where his team is studying the use of fungi for the creation of building materials in space.