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Meet the team

Laia Ribas

Hypatia I: Biologist, Greenhab Officer

B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biology, Senior researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM-CSIC)

Laia Ribas is a senior researcher at the Institute of Marine Sciences (ICM) of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). She studied at the University Autonomous of Barcelona (UAB) where she obtained her Ph.D. in biological sciences in 2006. She worked as a postdoc at the Imperial College of London, United Kingdom. She leads her own research team (Repro-Immune Team) to study the effects of the environmental factors on the sexual phenotype of fish, focusing on the interactions between the reproductive and the immune systems. She is interested in identifying molecular markers with the aim of improving aquaculture production. he is a pioneer in research on space aquaculture to improve the diet of astronauts. She participated in the awarded Nüwa project to design a city for 1 million people on Mars. She is committed to outreach by participating and leading projects, like CatMart, Joc de Cartes d’Hypatia , Sex in the Sea-ty.

Research projects

Biology

Aquaculture on Mars: exploring hostile environments for food productivity

On Mars, auto-sustainability is at the core of living in a hostile environment where enviromental factors differ from those on Earth. In particular, food resources are important factors towards providing enough food for human consumption on Mars. The main goal of this project is to study how gravity might affect food production, in particular, aquaculture. In this project, zebrafish (Danio rerio), a popular fish model, will be used to study the effects of gravity during the early stages of development. Through DNA sequencing strategies, the epigenetic marks in the genome will be studied. Present data might help to better design the Life Support System required on Mars.

Biology

Martian bottle: generate drinking water and light from the solar energy

Water is a scarce and precious resource on Mars, therefore recycling water is the base of auto-sustainability. Thanks to a bottle cap (Light Pills) designed by one of the crew members of Hypatia I, Helena Arias, we will try to generate potable water from fish tanks and generate of light, both very useful for living in remote places such as Mars.

Biology

Seeds for the crew

In her role of Greenhub officer, Laia Ribas was in charge of the greenhouse of the Hypatia I mission. This required performing daily tasks such as watering three times, controlling the temperature and the plants grown for future crews. Laia Ribas obtained soybean and lentil sprouts to provide fresh food for the Hypatia I crew and some fresh vegetables (cucumber, cherry tomatoes, salad sprouts and aromatic plants).

Outreach and communication

CatMart: looking for Martian life

Is there life on Mars? This question is addressed together with children in public primary schools around Catalonia. The students from La Marinada (El Masnou) were to participate in the program. During fall 2024 up to 10 schools around the region (four of them in rural areas) have participated in the CatMart program. To find the answer, the students will examine the Martian soil and analyze the presence of microorganisms. With this activity they will learn to follow a science protocol and learn about Mars exploration.

Outreach activities

Educational project

CatMart: Catalonia Searches for Life on Mars

Is there life on Mars? Find out in the classroom! Bring to your school the samples collected during the Hypatia mission at the Mars Desert Research Station and spark students’ interest in science with real experiments.

Game

Hypatia I – The Martian Astronauts Card Game

A cooperative card game based on the Hypatia I mission: complete challenges in astronomy, biology, and engineering, test your memory, and ensure the success of the Mars mission in a fun experience to enjoy with family or friends.

Educational project

Astronaut Course

Experience the adventure of a mission to Mars! Learn about astronomy, engineering, health, biology, and communication through hands-on, fun workshops to do in the classroom or at home, inspired by the real experience of the Hypatia I crew.

Short videos

STEM: Physics with Hypatia

Have you ever wondered what would happen if we played a football match in space? Or how the GPS on your mobile phone works? This series of 17 short videos answers surprising questions and immerses you in the science and technology of everyday life.

Educational project

Families go to Mars

What would it be like to travel to Mars? Meet the analogue astronauts from the Hypatia missions and take part in fun science and technology activities about space. Enjoy learning as a family alongside inspiring women role models in STEM.