Havre native works with NASA

Last month, a research team from Montana State University joined the International Space Station and sent research experiment Micro-8, into outer space.

This was done through the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

One of the research participants was Kela Bergren, 24 - a Havre native.

Bergren graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Cellular Biology and Neuroscience from MSU in 2013.

Bergren's love for science began at a young age. When she was in high school she attended a two-week pre-medical camp at MSU

"That got me really excited about becoming a doctor," she said.

Once in college, Bergren wanted to get involved in scientific research.

"I approached professors around MSU that had experiments looking for an opening," she said. She then started working with Sheila Nielsen, MSU's director of the Health Professions Advising.

Nielsen led the Micro-8 research team. She said that the study focused on the yeast, Candida albicans, which is an opportunistic fungus, a form of yeast. This means that the fungus is generally harmless, but it has the potential to cause irritations such as athlete's foot, fungal nails and diaper rashes. Additionally, this form of yeast can cause infections, especially if the immune system of the host is weak.

This yeast has important implications in space.

Candida albicans is a fairly common fungus and is potentially infectious. Because it is opportunistic and astronauts by default have a compromised immune system in space, Candida albicans was easily tested.

Nielsen said that her research team spent about two weeks in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center preparing the experiment because it had to be built on the site. Micro-8 was officially launched Sept. 21..

The rocket that launched the samples into space is called the "'Falcon" and the capsule that transported the supplies and docks is called the "Dragon."

Nielsen said that NASA is "interested in better understanding how common organisms might respond to the space environment and whether the flight crew will be impacted."

Bergren said that the samples were prepared in what were "essentially test tubes with a bubble in the middle" that allowed for mixing. These samples were set in three separate chambers the yeast, media, which is their food, and a third chamber of various fixatives. They were then placed in an airtight canister. The astronauts were instructed to mix the fluids in the chambers. This allowed the yeast to grow and become exposed to the microgravity.

Bergren said that she is excited she was able to be part of a team that sent an experiment into space.

"The idea of being able to contribute to the knowledge pool on the topic that has real world applications for helping people is very exciting... it's pretty surreal."

Bergren feels that experiments like the Micro-8 are beneficial to society. "When dealing with immunocompromised patients, it is very important we understand the mechanisms that relate to the yeast's antifungal resistance in the areas they commonly colonize," she said.

The results from the Micro-8 study will take months. The samples landed off the coast of California on Saturday and are scheduled to arrive in Montana Tuesday. Once in Montana, the samples will begin being processed.

Bergren is a medical assistant at Acorn Pediatrics in Bozeman and a research assistant at the Nielsen Microbiology Lab. She is applying to medical school.