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\u201cMy research examines nutritional countermeasures that may help protect human health during spaceflight, with my current work focusing on resveratrol, a compound found in grapes and other plants,\u201d said Pavlidis, who is from Nicosia, Cyprus. \u201cI\u2019m investigating whether resveratrol can reduce muscle loss, preserve muscle function, and mitigate metabolic dysfunction associated with altered gravity. The long-term goal is to help make human spaceflight safer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol that is best known as a component of grape skins. It has been studied for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also found in peanuts, blueberries, cranberries, mulberries, and cocoa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pavlidis first learned about resveratrol while working on his thesis for his master\u2019s degree in clinical dietetics at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus.<\/p>\n\n\n
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\u201cDuring my master\u2019s studies, I investigated nutrition-based interventions for mitigating DNA damage induced from space radiation,\u201d said Pavlidis. \u201cThat experience deepened my interest in space health and motivated me to continue working in the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pavlidis presented his master\u2019s research at the scientific assembly of the Committee on Space Research in Florence, Italy in August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While searching for a Ph.D. program that matched his research interests, Pavlidis discovered the work of Marie Mortreux, an assistant professor in the URI College of Health Sciences<\/a>\u2019 Department of Nutrition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHer research closely aligned with my interests and offered me the opportunity to build upon my previous work at a doctoral level,\u201d said Pavlidis. \u201cAfter speaking with her, I knew URI was the right fit.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mortreux leads URI\u2019s Metabolism and Muscle Biology Lab<\/a>. Her research includes working with an international team involved in analyzing how the skeletal muscles of 24 mice would react to four different levels of gravity<\/a>, including that of Mars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pavlidis is also working with animal models but is focused on lunar gravity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cTheo is using a partial weight bearing device I created, and hindlimb suspension, that helps simulate the effects of microgravity and partial gravity in rodents,\u201d said Mortreux, who is Pavlidis\u2019 Ph.D. advisor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The research will also compare how male and female mice react to the tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMales and females respond very differently to spaceflight, so it\u2019s possible that this nutritional countermeasure will not have the same impact and effect on both,\u201d said Mortreux. \u201cWe want to make sure to provide tailored measures to keep all astronauts healthy.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier this year, Pavlidis entered NASA\u2019s Deep Space Food Challenge: Mars to Table, which required teams to submit concepts for food systems that could be used on the surface of Mars and the moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI served as a nutrition specialist on my team,\u201d said Pavlidis. \u201cMy role focused on developing nutritious, appealing meal plans and evaluating how nutrition could help address health challenges associated with future Mars missions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n