Student-designed experiment selected for journey to space

2025 winner Nitya Johar (left) with her Genes in Space mentor Marissa Morales. (miniPCR bio photo)
 

The Genes in Space competition has selected its latest winner, Nitya Johar, 17, from Skyline High School in Sammamish, Washington, whose research explores the topic of codon usage bias in space — the non-random use in cells of certain RNA sequences, known as codons, over other RNA sequences to code for amino acids.

• Unequal codon use could influence how efficiently and accurately proteins are synthesized in space and would have profound implications for the future of spaceflight medicine and biomanufacturing in space environments.

Why it matters: Genes in Space, co-founded and supported by Boeing, fosters a new generation of scientists by giving students a chance for their research to be conducted in microgravity.  

• The competition challenges students to design experiments that advance understanding of molecular biology in space.

Nitya Johar (center) with Genes in Space Co-Founders Sebastian Kraves of miniPCR bio, Kevin Foley of Boeing, Scott Copeland of Boeing, and AIAA Senior Vice President Keoki Jackson. (Boeing photo)

Record-breaking participation: This year the competition drew an all-time high of 759 submissions from 263 schools across 41 states.

What’s next: Astronauts will conduct Johar’s experiment after it is sent to the International Space Station in coming months.

Go deeper: To learn more about Johar’s experiment, see the full list of finalists and learn more about the competition, read the news release here.