Announcing the Vanderbilt Space Edge Accelerator 2024 Cohort
The Vanderbilt Space Edge Accelerator is proud to introduce its 2024 cohort—a remarkable group of innovators committed to advancing space technologies and expanding our understanding of sustainable solutions for the space economy. This cohort brings together diverse talents in engineering, biotechnology, agriculture, and medical research. Get to know the members driving these bold projects and participants:
Meet Nathan Park:
A junior studying Mechanical Engineering, Digital Fabrication, and Engineering Management, Nathan Park is passionate about medical devices and their potential to impact public health positively. His dedication is evident in his roles as Vice President of Vanderbilt Relay for Life and a mentor for VandyLifts, where he champions community health. Nathan’s artistic side shines through painting, drawing, and music, which he explores during school breaks. His experience in medical research and interest in digital fabrication equip him with a unique perspective on developing health solutions for diverse environments, including the demanding conditions of space.
Meet Dr. Michael I. Miga:
Dr. Miga, the Harvie Branscomb Professor at Vanderbilt, is a leader in biomedical engineering, focusing on image-guided surgery. As Director of the Vanderbilt Institute for Surgery and Engineering (VISE), he has pioneered technologies to improve surgical outcomes, including the first FDA-cleared image-guided liver surgery system. His NIH-funded work has influenced surgery across multiple organ systems. With his interest in surgical technologies for rural and resource-constrained environments, Dr. Miga sees promising applications in space healthcare. He also leads a novel Master of Engineering program, equipping future engineers with clinical immersion and cutting-edge tools, underscoring his commitment to practical, impactful healthcare solutions.
Meet Dora Taggart:
CEO of Microbial Insights, Inc., Dora Taggart has been a trailblazer in Molecular Biological Tools (MBTs), enhancing environmental monitoring through groundbreaking qPCR analysis and stable isotope probing techniques. Her collaborations with federal agencies and academia have cemented her reputation as a global authority on MBTs. Dora has been recognized as Business Person of the Year and has received awards for her contributions to technology and innovation in groundwater research. Her background in environmental science will contribute to the cohort’s exploration of microbial life support systems for space habitats, where biological processes must adapt to challenging, closed environments.
Meet Dr. Sam Rosolina:
As Vice President of Applied Innovation at Microbial Insights, Dr. Rosolina drives the development of accessible molecular tools to address environmental health and sustainability. With a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry focused on trace-level toxins, he brings a wealth of experience in detecting environmental pollutants. Dr. Rosolina also serves as Board Chair for Discover Life in America, which fosters biodiversity research in the Great Smoky Mountains. His expertise in molecular analysis and commitment to conservation provide a foundation for creating resilient biological systems to support long-term space missions.
Meet John Gallagher:
With a background in Economics and Accounting, John Gallagher serves as Vice President of Business Development at Microbial Insights, guiding the commercialization of innovative products in environmental monitoring. His experience in quality management ensures that his team meets the exacting standards required by clients across sectors. John’s focus on process efficiency will support the Space Edge cohort’s aim to deliver practical solutions, particularly in resource-constrained environments like space, where reliability and accuracy are paramount.
Meet Charles Slater:
As Senior Research Scientist at Microbial Insights, Charles Slater is a leader in molecular microbiology, specializing in qPCR and QuantArray® assay development. His extensive expertise covers everything from DNA sequencing to protein purification, essential for creating new MBTs that can be applied in diverse fields. With over 20 years in molecular research, Charles’s commitment to advancing microbiology will help address the need for robust diagnostic tools in space, where monitoring microbial health and detecting contaminants is crucial for long-term habitation.
Meet Muhammad Hunain:
CEO and Co-Founder of Melagen Labs, Muhammad Hunain is developing innovative radiation shielding materials that protect against cosmic rays. With his background in aerospace engineering and experience leading a team at NASA’s L'Space Academy, Muhammad is driven to create solutions that support both space missions and Earth-based applications. His vision for space exploration, combined with practical skills in team leadership and problem-solving, brings a new approach to ensuring astronaut safety and enhancing Earth-based radiation protection.
Meet James Valencia:
An urban farming visionary, James Valencia founded Radical Shoots and CC Gardens, focused on sustainable microgreens production. With dual degrees from Vanderbilt in Environmental Sociology and Communication of Science and Technology, James seeks to revolutionize urban farming through automation and data-driven decision-making. His interest in controlled environment agriculture aligns with the cohort’s goals of developing food systems for space habitats, where reliable and efficient food production is essential for sustaining long-term missions.
Meet Ethan Denson:
Ethan Denson’s work in Weed Ecology and Biotechnology drives his commitment to sustainable agriculture. With a strong background in research, he has led projects focused on weed dynamics and agricultural innovation. Ethan’s expertise in ecological interactions and agribusiness, combined with his passion for food security, make him a valuable asset to the Space Edge Accelerator. His knowledge could help address the challenges of creating self-sustaining agricultural systems in space, which are critical to reducing dependency on Earth-based supplies.
Meet Jeremiah Woldabezgi:
As the IoT systems manager for Radical Shoots, Jeremiah Woldabezgi specializes in developing hardware and software solutions to support automated agriculture. His experience with over 30 IoT devices and systems enables him to create smart farming technologies that can adapt to the needs of space-based agriculture. Jeremiah’s expertise in remote monitoring and data collection is essential for managing crop health in controlled environments, making him a key contributor to the cohort’s efforts in sustainable food production.
Meet Dr. Naira Baregamian:
Dr. Naira Baregamian, founder of the Endocrine Neoplasia Laboratory at Vanderbilt, is a surgeon-scientist with a focus on advanced endocrine cancers. Her team’s research into molecular mechanisms and innovative drug discovery holds potential applications for the space economy, particularly in developing medical solutions for long-term missions. With expertise in high-throughput screening and microfluidics, her lab seeks to adapt biomedical techniques to the unique challenges of space, advancing both cancer research and biomedical support for astronauts.
The Vanderbilt Space Edge Accelerator’s 2024 cohort is set to pioneer new solutions in space exploration, healthcare, and sustainable agriculture. With these talented individuals leading the way, we are excited to see their contributions to the space economy. To learn more about the mentors guiding this cohort, visit our Space Edge mentor piece.