Biography

Chair of Microgravity & Aerospace Medicine Research Interest Group

Full Name: Michal Masternak, Ph.D.

Title: Professor of Medicine

Place of Work: Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida

Dr. Masternak is a Professor of Medicine at Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine at University of Central Florida. The primary focus of Masternak’s lab research is to study the genetic mechanism of healthy aging, longevity, and cancer. His lab specializes in studies of tissue/cell-specific and blood-circulating exosomal miRNAs. Masternak’s laboratory work includes human subjects, different mice models (micro-surgeries, hormonal, pharmacological, dietary, and miRNA interventions), and cell cultures. His studies include various pharmacological and miRNA-specific manipulations to determine interventions successfully targeting senescent cells in aging diseases and cancer. 

SPACE research

Masternak lab is involved in Omics-Space studies. His laboratory assisted in protocol development, sample collection, and processing for Axiom mission 1 (AX-1), the first all-private astronaut mission to the ISS. His laboratory now has a standing contract with TRISH serving all sample collection/preparation for private astronaut missions in Central Florida with already completed AX-2, AX-3, and Polaris Down missions.