DEFENCE OF MASTER THESES BY SPACEMED STUDENTS

Defence of Master Theses by SPACEMED Students

Members of the Consortium:

Jožef Stefan International Postgraduate School (Slovenia),

Université de Caen Normandie (France), and

Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (Germany),

which jointly deliver the SPACEMED Erasmus Mundus master programme, invite you to attend the master theses defences taking place 14–16 September 2026 at the Large Lecture Hall of the Jožef Stefan Institute. You can also attend the defences via Zoom (Meeting ID: 892 9451 7176, Passcode: 774452).

DEFENCE SCHEDULE:

14 September 2026

• Nadja Bastiaens at 9:00

Title: Cerebral Perfusion Assessed by Arterial Spin Labelling (ASL) in a 60-Day Bed Rest Study

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Alexander Stahn

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Stefan Hetzer

Short Abstract: For sixty days, volunteers lay in bed tilted head-down, a way of simulating spaceflight on Earth. MRI was used to track the blood flow in their brains. It fell during bed rest and returned afterwards. All three groups (exercise, exercise in a centrifuge, or neither) followed the same pattern.

• Annika Bauer at 10:30

Title: The Effects of s Simulated 3-Day Heatwave on Appetite, Energy Intake, and Hydration Status in Healthy Women

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Igor Mekjavić

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Liz Simpson

Short Abstract: Heatwaves may affect appetite and eating habits, but evidence is limited. This study examined appetite, food and water intake during a 3-day simulated heatwave in women. Appetite and diet composition remained stable, water intake rose during heat, and energy intake declined slightly over time.

• Raphael Emil Bochet at 13:00

Title: Calcium Isotope Variations in Serum During Bed Rest-Induced Skeletal Unloading

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Igor Mekjavić

Co-Supervisors: Asoc. Prof. Tea Zuliani, Prof. Dr. Matej Drobnič

Short Abstract: Calcium isotope ratios in human serum dropped during a 60-day bed rest study, mirroring bone loss. Exercise protocols prevented this drop, suggesting calcium isotope ratios are a sensitive marker of bone mineral balance.

• Johanna Inge Marie Bucher at 14:30

Title: Impact of 60-day head-down tilt bed rest simulating microgravity on sleep and the potential benefit of sensorimotor training

Supervisor: Dr. Eva-Maria Elmenhorst

Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Pierre Denise

Short Abstract: To simulate microgravity in space, volunteers underwent 60 days of strict bed rest in a six degree head-down tilt position. On the first night, sleep duration and quality were impaired, and men were more affected than women. Surprisingly, by night eight, most sleep measures had returned to baseline.

15 September 2026

• Rodrigo Gonzalez Flores at 9:00

Title: Evaluation of sex-dependent responses to X-ray irradiation on the central nervous system

Supervisor: Dr. Charlot Vandevoorde

Short Abstract: This thesis investigates the long-term effects of whole-body X-ray irradiation on neuroinflammation and neurogenesis in the mouse hippocampus, with a focus on sex differences. The findings reveal subtle, lasting changes and highlight the importance of including female subjects in radiation research.

• Marion Angela Heinrich at 10:30

Title: Characterization of the Cytotoxicity of Microgravity-Formed Wild-Type and Tottori Amyloid-β(1–40) Fibrils

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Koichi Kato

Co-Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maho Yagi-Utsumi

Short Abstract: Amyloid-beta fibrils are associated with Alzheimer’s disease, for which no cure currently exists. Microgravity may reveal fibril characteristics that are difficult to investigate on Earth, particularly in disease-associated mutations. This thesis compared the effects of ISS-grown and Earth-grown fibrils on cellular metabolic activity. ISS-grown fibrils appeared to have a less detrimental effect, but further research is needed to understand why and to determine the specific role of microgravity.

• Nidhi Mol at 13:00

Title: Raziskovanje presnovne modulacije odziva na poškodbe DNA, povzročene z ionizirajočim sevanjem

Supervisor: Dr. Özdemirhan Serçin

Short Abstract: The thesis explores how metabolic changes using metformin and rapamycin affect the cellular responses in cancer & healthy cells when exposed to X-rays. This was investigated at a phenotypic, mechanistic and genetic level, offering applications to radiotherapies and radiation risk assessment.

• Gendis Angger Pitaloka at 14:30

Title: Načtovanje in validacija funkcij nagrajevanja kot temelj za inverzno ojačevalno učenje pri posturalni kontroli

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jan Babič

Short Abstract: This thesis examines reward design for simulated postural control, a prerequisite for inverse reinforcement learning. It trains a biomechanical model under 3 safety-term formulations and evaluates the resulting behavior against human movement data.

16 September 2026

• George Benjamin Russell at 9:00

Title: Motor unit number estimation of the human soleus: reliability and the effects of short-term unloading

Supervisor: Asst. Prof. Rodrigo Fernandez-Gonzalo

Co-Supervisor: Dr. Ricardo Mesquita

Short Abstract: Motor units are lost in ageing and neuromuscular disease, and perhaps with gravitational unloading. This thesis is the first investigation of the reliability of motor unit number estimation in the soleus and the impacts of unilateral lower limb suspension on motor unit number and size.

• Aleksandra Sakharova at 10:30

Title: Effects of Simulated Microgravity on the Complement System and Zinc Biodistribution

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jean-Pol Frippiat

Co-Supervisors: Dr. Marine Paquet, Prof. Dr. Igor Mekjavić

Short Abstract: Bed rest studies show that simulated microgravity can affect immune system and zinc biodistribution by activating the complement pathways and increasing inflammation and potential for allergic responses. These changes are especially prominent in hypoxia. Encouragingly, physical exercise and artificial gravity may help counter these effects.

• Abhishek Singh at 13:00

Title: The effect of microgravity on immune cell function

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Lisa Westerberg

Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Igor Mekjavić

Short Abstract: T cells help our body fight disease, but how they respond in space is not fully understood. This study developed a live-cell imaging protocol to visualize T cell activation over time. This protocol enables capturing early changes in T cell signaling in order to study these responses aboard the sounding rocket.

• Itzel Suárez López at 14:30

Title: Cognitive Impairment During Induced Mild Narcosis as a Model for Spaceflight Performance Vulnerability

Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Igor Mekjavić

Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Pierre Denise

Short Abstract: Astronauts consistently report cognitive deficits during flight. Interestingly, divers report similar symptoms. This study investigated cognitive domains relevant to spaceflight during exposure to nitrous oxide and compared the findings with published astronaut data.

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