German Space Agency (DLR)

As 2024 expires, I am preparing to say goodbye to EuroFIR and to embark on a new chapter with the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). My work at EuroFIR has focused on nutrition research in the context of policy and EU-funded projects, while my new role has to do with exploring the challenges of nutrition in weightlessness and isolation. The common thread in this journey? The exercise of nutrition science in a cross-disciplinary context. Working together with other professions to achieve a greater goal has always been a constant in my career wishes, and I feel lucky to have been able to hone my interdisciplinary skills during my time at EuroFIR.

From 2025, my skills will find application in bed-rest studies, a special type of studies that can decipher how nutrition impacts human health in unique settings. Originally developed to mimic the effects of microgravity for astronauts, bed-rest studies are now a powerful tool for studying muscle and bone loss, metabolic changes, and nutrient bioavailability in controlled environments.

Participants in these studies lie at a six-degree head-down tilt for extended periods to simulate the effects of microgravity. This controlled setup enables researchers to uncover insights that are difficult to isolate in real-world settings, such as how to optimize dietary interventions for muscle maintenance, bone health, and metabolic stability.

Key findings from bed-rest studies include:

1. Protein Intake for Muscle Loss Prevention: High protein intake mitigates muscle loss but can increase bone resorption when consumed in excess.
2. Calcium and Vitamin D for Bone Health: Essential nutrients for maintaining bone density in low-activity conditions.
3. Iron Metabolism Insights: Inactivity alters iron metabolism, helping refine dietary recommendations.
4. Insulin Sensitivity: Reduced muscle glycogen levels influence insulin sensitivity, offering clues to prevent metabolic complications.
5. Inflammatory Mechanisms: Inactivity highlights how muscle lipid overload contributes to inflammation, a factor in chronic disease development.

These findings are not just relevant to astronauts—they inform recovery protocols for patients with prolonged immobility, strategies for aging populations, and even guidelines for countering the effects of sedentary lifestyles.

As I transition to DLR, I am eager to contribute to research that integrates nutrition science with space exploration and extreme conditions. My time at EuroFIR has been an incredible experience, full of learning and growth, and connections I will carry into the next chapter. To my great colleagues at EuroFIR – thank you for everything!