Srinagar: Seerat Maqsood, a 26-year-old year girl hailing from Kashmir adds feather in her cap by becoming the part of Malta’s first ever single cell library preparation.
Invited for a summer internship programme at the University of Malta, Seerat enthusiastically embarks on projects handling Multi-Omics and databases for Space Bioscience projects. The project is part of the Polaris Dawn Mission, 2023 and Maleth projects in collaboration with Space X, the European Space Agency, NASA Gene-Lab, and the University of Malta.
A research scholar at University of Teramo, Italy, Seerat positions herself in the field of Cellular and Molecular Biotechnologies. To serve her purpose on a broader spectrum, she focuses her research on connecting medicine, 3D bio-printing with Space Bioscience. “It was in high school when my father gifted me a book, titled ‘Space’ that ignited the curiosity and created fascination for Space and Science,” Seerat said.
While in India at a young age, she had started her endeavour: opting online courses, studying Space medicine, microgravity and Astrobiology to enhance her knowledge and intellectual calibre.
What is the need?
In the coming years, the scholar anticipates that humans should be fit to survive in Space and for that, medical assistance needs to get stronger and easier to implement. As reported earlier, astronauts in Space face health issues such as Vision loss, Heart and Kidney failure, Bone weakening, Anaemia, Skin-related issues, etc.
Consequently, Seerat’s approach is to discover solution, exploring recent developments in tissue engineering revolving around the 3D scaffolds to function as templates for Cellular activities to repair, rebuild and regenerate damaged or lost tissues.
Her passion and expedition doesn’t end here, she has recently also become part of Moon Landing Mission, ARTEMIS 3 NASA, the first crewed Moon landing mission since Apollo 17 in 1972, under the privileged mentoring of Professor Joseph Borg, University of Malta.
Prof Joseph Borg is a member of the Analysis Working Group at the NASA Gene Lab, USA and the ESA Space-Omics Topical Team, studying amongst others the effects of spaceflight on erythropoiesis for both astronauts living on board, the ISS and other missions as well.
From Earth to Space Seerat is doing her research with passionand dedication. She indeed is worth applaud and accolades for such an enormous achievement and universal contribution in the field of Science and Space.
Seerat’s Message
“I am grateful for everything and everyone who has been part of my journey. Never give up on your dreams. I dreamed and worked hard to make it a reality. So can anyone,” Seerat said.