New Grant Helps Professor Study Life on Mars
By: Tyler Thomason
Updated: October 9, 2012
"I don't know anyone else in the world that is doing this specific research," says University of Arkansas professor Tim Kral.
A unique study at the U of A.
"Back, about 1993, we started studying methanogens as possible life forms on Mars," Kral says.
Microorganisms, living in a test tube.
But can they live on another planet?
Professor Kral is trying to answer that question.
"Well, this is our Pegasus chamber, it's a vaccuum chamber and we're able to take the pressure down to what we see on the surface of mars," Kral says standing next to the piece of machinery.
"We could also cool this down to the temperatures on Mars."
Kral recently received a grant from NASA, worth nearly $400,000.
"This specific grant, I've been trying to get for about 15 years," Kral says.
Which he, along with his team of researchers, and students can use to curb their curiosity and further their findings.
"The bottom line would be to find out if our methanogens, or if some mutant of our methanogens, that might be resistant to radiation, could exist on mars," Kral adds.
New York native Rebecca Mickol always knew she wanted to study astrobiology, and teaming up with Professor Kral truly allows her to go above and beyond.
"Whenever, I go home and people ask what I'm studying, I'm like 'Life on Mars!" says second-year grad student Rebecca Mickol.
Kral describes the challenge: "To me, looking for life out there. I can't imagine anything more exciting."
Professor Kral plans to continue this type of research for the rest of his career.
Research that is quite literally -- out of this world.
A unique study at the U of A.
"Back, about 1993, we started studying methanogens as possible life forms on Mars," Kral says.
Microorganisms, living in a test tube.
But can they live on another planet?
Professor Kral is trying to answer that question.
"Well, this is our Pegasus chamber, it's a vaccuum chamber and we're able to take the pressure down to what we see on the surface of mars," Kral says standing next to the piece of machinery.
"We could also cool this down to the temperatures on Mars."
Kral recently received a grant from NASA, worth nearly $400,000.
"This specific grant, I've been trying to get for about 15 years," Kral says.
Which he, along with his team of researchers, and students can use to curb their curiosity and further their findings.
"The bottom line would be to find out if our methanogens, or if some mutant of our methanogens, that might be resistant to radiation, could exist on mars," Kral adds.
New York native Rebecca Mickol always knew she wanted to study astrobiology, and teaming up with Professor Kral truly allows her to go above and beyond.
"Whenever, I go home and people ask what I'm studying, I'm like 'Life on Mars!" says second-year grad student Rebecca Mickol.
Kral describes the challenge: "To me, looking for life out there. I can't imagine anything more exciting."
Professor Kral plans to continue this type of research for the rest of his career.
Research that is quite literally -- out of this world.
