Shawnee Mission Student Invited to Present at Prestigious Space Research Conference

At just 16 years old, Savannah Siceloff, a junior in the Shawnee Mission School District’s Biotech Signature Program, is working in a professional laboratory with world class scientists conducting groundbreaking research on the effects of space flight on female fertility and their offspring. Her work with Dr. Lane Christensen’s laboratory at the University of Kansas Medical Center, has earned her an invitation to the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research (ASGSR) conference in Puerto Rico—an incredible honor for any scientist, but especially a high school student.

Savannah started in the SMSD Biotechnology Signature Program as a freshman, the first and only freshman to enter the program, shortly after touring the Center for Academic Achievement as a student at Trailridge Middle School.

“I remember taking pictures of the microscopes and lab equipment and sending them to my mom,” Savannah shared. “I couldn’t believe how incredible the facilities were. I knew I had to be part of it.”

However, after two years in the program, Savannah wasn’t sure what area of Biotech she wanted to pursue. Her teachers, Dr. Kenny Lee and Zulma Perez-Estrella encouraged her to look over the University of Kansas Medical Center’s website and see what research appealed to her. 

“I spent maybe a week going through the entire thing. And the second I saw Dr. Christensen's lab, I was just in awe,” said Savannah. “He gets funding from NASA and they’re doing such important research, I was just like, oh my goodness, I have to work here!” 

The research investigates how space flight impacts the fertility, genetics, and overall health of mice across multiple generations. The team compares offspring from mice that have traveled in space with a control group raised on Earth. The study measures various factors, including weight differences and physical endurance through treadmill testing, as well as reproductive health through oocyte (egg cell) counts. 

“We’ve found that the female offspring of spaceflight mice show significant differences in weight as pups compared to Earth mice, though these differences even out over time,” Savannah explained. “We’re also seeing differences in endurance and treadmill performance, but we need to analyze it a bit more before we make any conclusions.” 

Savannah’s findings will be displayed at the ASGSR conference alongside the work of distinguished researchers including NASA scientists, college professors, and doctoral students. The conference gathers some of the top space researchers in the country to showcase cutting-edge studies and information.

“When I found out my research was accepted, I was so surprised and thrilled,” Savannah said. “The first thing I did was leave voicemails for Dr. Lee and Ms. Perez. It’s surreal to think that I’ll be presenting my work alongside top researchers.”

Savannah plans to continue her research through the school year, gathering more data on treadmill performance and oocyte counts to determine potential long-term impacts of space travel on reproduction. She is especially motivated by the importance of her work.

 “Now that we’re seeing more female astronauts and we’re sending people into space for longer periods of time we need to understand how space travel affects not just astronauts, but also their future children, to ensure we’re prepared for the challenges ahead,” Savannah noted. 

Her experience in the Biotechnology Program and subsequently Dr. Christensen’s lab have also cemented her plans for the future. “The second that this was presented, and I was able to experience it and learn, I'd made up my mind. This is what I want to do. This is the future I can see for myself.”