HARRISBURG, PA — Mackenzie Maley ‘26, a senior Environmental Science & Sustainability major at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU), recently presented research at the American Society for Gravitational & Space Research (ASGSR) Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
“I had a lot of anxiety going into the conference, being in an investigator session and only being an undergraduate student on the project for three months,” Mackenzie shared. Despite those nerves, the experience proved professionally and personally rewarding. In addition to presenting research at the ASGSR conference, Mackenzie had the opportunity to connect with fellow students and researchers.
The research Mackenzie presented was connected to the Oysters in Space initiative, which addresses a gap in aquaculture research for long-duration human space missions. Sustainable food production is critical both on Earth and in orbit, and oysters are a promising solution.
As filter feeders, oysters require no external feed. They thrive on algae or microorganisms while naturally recycling water. Their nutrient-rich byproducts can support plant growth, and their hardy physiology makes them resilient to changes in water quality: advantages that make them well suited for off-planet aquaculture systems. Compared to conventional aquaculture systems that use fish, an oyster-based system would be far more practical to deploy in difficult surroundings – including manned space missions.
The project is conducted in collaboration with Monolith Space, which received a Keystone Space Grant in Summer 2025 to support HU students in the Advanced Manufacturing and Environmental Science degree programs. The goal is to develop an in-space, closed-loop, automated oyster hatchery system capable of supporting oysters from seed to adult. Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics students are currently designing and prototyping a habitat using Autodesk Fusion 360 and Phoenix Contact products that can operate with minimal human intervention.
Mackenzie serves as a research intern, overseeing the environmental components of this project. Her responsibilities include maintaining the oyster habitat, monitoring water quality, and ensuring the oysters are properly cared for. She became involved after Dr. Rachel Fogle, Associate Professor and Program Lead of Environmental Science at HU, shared the opportunity while she was looking for an internship, and the project’s need for an Environmental Science student made it a natural fit.
“The most rewarding part of working on this initiative is simply learning about oysters and space, as well as gaining more skills working hands-on with the oysters,” Mackenzie said. “I have been able to practice many skills with this project that I will be able to benefit from in the future.” Presenting at the ASGSR conference also strengthened her confidence as a communicator, allowing her to share her work, network with professionals, and gain valuable experience presenting scientific research.
As the project continues, students will refine the system’s design to align with NASA’s Payloads Interface Requirements and explore potential future testing in orbit, with the International Space Station and Vast Haven-1 being potential candidates to test the system.
“This project truly demonstrated the power of a multidisciplinary team by bringing together Environmental Science and Advanced Manufacturing to explore what’s possible in space-based aquaculture,” Dr. Fogle said. “Thanks to Monolith’s support, our students not only contribute to cutting-edge research but also gain incredible professional experiences like presenting at ASGSR and connecting with experts who inspire and challenge their growth.”
Visit HarrisburgU.edu to learn more about HU’s Advanced Manufacturing and Environmental Science degree programs. Have questions about HU’s demand-driven, hands-on approach to academics? Start a conversation with the Admissions Team today.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.
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