DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
DESIGNER INSPIRED ...
... COMPETITIVELY PRICED
Caro74 • Valina Bridal Bells • Twogether Benchmark
FALCIANI , from Page 1 space with the help and mentorship of associate Professor of Biology at Stockton Dr . tara Luke . after months of hard work and research , the project , “ Spores in Space : the effects of Microgravity on endomycorrhizae ,” has been chosen by the National Center for earth and Science education ( NCeSSe ) to be sent to the international Space Station ( iSS ) this June to be tested in a microgravity environment . the selection of the project was made as part of Mission 11 of the Student Spaceflight experiments Program ( SSeP ), which selected 11 teams of students who faculty have mentored in chemistry , biology and physics in order to create experiment proposals that will be
tested in microgravity environments at the iSS . including “ Spores in Space ,” Stockton sent three finalists to be reviewed by the SSeP ’ s step-two review panel .
“ it has been so unreal ; it has been so cool . it was so challenging to do . We had to do all of this work in an incredibly short amount of time and to have it pay off in the end like this is such an incredible feeling ,” falciani said about the project being selected by the NCeSSe . the experiment is based on the concept that plant roots and a certain species of fungi ( mycorrhizae ) can form a symbiotic relationship , which can augment plant growth . if this experiment ’ s hypothesis holds true in an environment with little to no gravity , the ramifications could be significant to the future of space travel and open the door for future research .
“ We want to know if this could be an option for longer space travel because the spores can aid the plants , make them more productive . this could potentially be something that is more space-conservative and more effective than regular fertilizers that astronauts could potentially use … if it works well — just as good or better as it does on earth — then this is going to be a really good option for us to
Wednesday , January 18 , 2017 • The Hammonton Gazette • Page 3
Valkyrie Falciani ' s experiment heading into space
explore further ,” falciani said . throughout the course of the spring semester , falciani and ertz will perform preliminary experiments in order to set up the project ’ s apparatus that will then be launched from Cape Canaveral and board the iSS this June via the Space-X Dragon , an unmanned spacecraft . the apparatus , which falciani described as an “ eight-inch , silicone test tube ” is clamped off in different sections , containing a mycorrhizal fungus species , flax seeds in peat moss and distilled water . the apparatus , formerly known as a fluid mixing enclosure ( fMe ), will spend four to six weeks at the iSS , where astronauts will follow instructions written by falciani and ertz .
When the components within the fMe blend , the apparatus will return to earth , where the results can be analyzed .
Before the fMe is sent to the iSS , falciani , ertz , their classmates and various members of the Stockton faculty , including project director and Stockton Dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics , Dr . Peter Straub and NCeSSe Director Dr . Jeff Goldstein , will work collaboratively on successfully creating the fMe apparatus in a controlled , classroom setting . falciani credited ertz with the foundation of the idea behind the project , but the 23-year-old marine biology graduate and current education program student said her involvement stemmed from the inherent practical value in what the experiment set out to observe .
“ i really liked this idea because it was something that we could justify . it was something we could say , ‘ Hey , the reason we should do this is because it ’ s going to help astronauts in the future ,’ and i think that it was because of that , our project ultimately got chosen over some of the other ones ,” falciani said .
With a wide range of outcomes in play for “ Spores in Space ,” falciani and ertz are excited and cautiously optimistic for the eventual launch in June but aren ’ t nervous because no matter the outcome , the experiment will offer a positive contribution to the scientific community and will open the door for future research in an area that falciani said hasn ’ t been written about as much as other areas of biology .
“ i am so excited . i am not nervous in the least . i think it ’ s going to be fantastic no matter what happens . No matter what happens , we ’ re going to be contributing in a positive way , no matter the outcome of the experiment ,” falciani said .
DiMeglio Septic , Inc .
Est . 1975 ~ DEP 03261 ~ Paul DiMeglio 1 ( 800 ) 427-4617 ~ 561-1007 ~ 561-3597
491 S . White Horse Pike • Ancora , NJ
• Grease Trap Cleaning • Portable Toilets
• Septic Certifications • Jetting Service
One Sindoni Lane , Suite C , Hammonton ( 609 ) 270-7886 • www . meadowsbridalshop . com
Looking for the perfect gown ?
Stop in our shop to see what ’ s new !
We carry gorgeous dresses by : David Tutera , Casablanca , Mori Lee , and so much more !
DESIGNER INSPIRED ...
... COMPETITIVELY PRICED
Caro74 • Valina Bridal Bells • Twogether Benchmark
CUSTOM ENGAGEMENT RINGS & WEDDING BANDS REPAIRS COMPLETED ON PREMISES
121 S . White Horse Pike Across from McDonald ’ s Hammonton • 561-6222