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A monthly newsletter from UC San Diego Health Sciences | July 2025 Issue

Accelerating Discovery Through Space-Based Science

At UC San Diego, our contributions to space exploration are both historic and forward looking. We proudly honor trailblazers like former UC San Diego physics professor Sally Ride — the first American woman in space — and the four distinguished alumni who followed in her footsteps to earn their astronaut wings. Their journeys inspire a new era of discovery that continues to thrive across our campus.

Today, UC San Diego stands at the forefront of space-related research, driving bold, interdisciplinary initiatives that tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. From investigating the impacts of climate change and searching for viable water sources on the Moon, to advancing health science research in microgravity, our faculty are expanding the boundaries of scientific knowledge.

These efforts are powered by close collaboration with NASA and leaders in the biotech sector — partnerships that position UC San Diego Health Sciences as a hub for innovation at the intersection of space, science and human health.

Why space? Microgravity accelerates cellular stress, triggering inflammation, aging and changes linked to cancer — processes that typically unfold more slowly under Earth's gravity. By studying these accelerated effects, researchers are identifying new drug candidates, developing innovative medical devices and uncovering critical clues about aging and disease.

These groundbreaking studies offer insights that not only protect astronaut health but also deepen our understanding of human biology here on Earth.

For example:

With every launch, UC San Diego moves closer to unlocking the full potential of space to transform life on Earth.

John M. Carethers, MD
Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences
Distinguished Professor of Medicine
Adjunct Professor of Public Health

This $2.45 million gift supports ongoing studies on the mind-body connection at the School of Medicine's Department of Anesthesiology. Read Story»

Unique defects resulting from molecular stress make old neurons especially vulnerable to diseases such as dementia. Read Story»

Countywide public health initiative to teach 1 million San Diegans hands-only CPR is building a resilient, enduring community of lifesavers. Read Story»

Joint doctoral program offers a unique environment that emphasizes the integration of research and patient care. Read Story»

UC San Diego Health is the first and only hospital in the region to offer the minimally invasive treatment as an alternative to radiation or prostate removal. Read Story»

UC San Diego Health and Imperial County Behavioral Health Services have teamed up to create the region's first residency program and expand access to psychiatric care. Read Story»

7 am to 4 pm, Saturday, August 2

UC San Diego will host the Curebound Cancer Challenge (formerly Padres Pedal the Cause), with cancer survivors, doctors and their supporters coming together to ride — or run, walk, spin or cheer — with the goal of raising critical funds for cancer research.

Stroke mortality rates declined by 32% between 1990 and 2017. UC San Diego, with the support of the National Institutes of Health, was instrumental in discovering and testing a paradigm-shifting stroke medication.

"Sports have scores, statistics, data that can quantify an athlete in flow. In music, when we’re talking about flow and that kind of peak performance, it isn’t quite so obvious or objective what peak performance is."

— Greg Appelbaum, PHD, neuroscientist and professor of psychiatry, School of Medicine, in discussing a collaboration with Phish bassist Mike Gordon to detect flow state with a device called XenboX