Eight students in plant science, engineering and chemistry programs at California State University, Fresno are part of an extensive research project in NASA’s 2011 Grant Us Space Reduced Gravity Education Flight Program.

The Fresno State  team in July will join schools such as Yale, Purdue and Dartmouth in Houston to test the formation of calcium oxalate, in a zero gravity environment, said Craig Seber, a senior plant science major from Fresno. The substance can cause kidney stones.

“For astronauts who have a diet high in calcium oxalate, it could potentially be a problem without a doctor up there,” Seber said.

Joining Seber are team leader Mujahid Umar of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, a mechanical engineering major; Jose Manuel Correa Jr. of Fresno, civil engineering; Riann Egusquiza of Sanger, chemistry; Gonzalo Leyva of Newark, electrical engineering; Robert Benjamin Runyon of Madera, mechanical engineering; Coulibaly Datoliban Roland of Abidjan, Ivory Coast, mathematics and civil engineering; and Jordan Ringel of Arcadia, chemistry.

In preparation for the trip to Texas, the team plans a presentation to fifth graders from Malaga and Fremont Elementary schools at 8:30 a.m. June 1 at Fremont, which is  in Fowler.

The Fresno State team is working toward a July 7-16 flight week in Houston. The reduced gravity aircraft that students will fly in generally makes 30 parabolic maneuvers over the Gulf of Mexico, allowing for roughly 25 seconds of zero gravity each time.

The Fresno State students and faculty advisers Dr. John Bushoven (Plant Science), Ming Xiao (Civil and Geomatics Engineering) and Joy Goto (Chemistry),will be mentored by NASA engineer John Alred to master the technical areas of their project.

(Copy by University Communications news intern Nicole Maul)

Related links:

Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program