Four York University professors from the Lassonde School of Engineering have received funding from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) to advance research supporting future space missions while giving students hands‑on experience in space‑focused science and technology development.
The $1.3-million funding was awarded through CSA’s Flights and Fieldwork for the Advancement of Science and Technology (FAST) program, which backs research at Canadian universities that contributes to the advancement of scientific knowledge and space technologies.
A key goal of the program is to give students and early‑career researchers hands‑on experience, helping strengthen Canada’s space sector by training highly qualified personnel and equipping students with practical, job‑ready skills. Through applied, interdisciplinary research and exposure, students learn to navigate space career challenges in everything from instrument testing and system design to fieldwork and advanced manufacturion.
That combination of scientific advancement and experiential learning is evident across the FAST‑funded work now underway at York.
“As a result, the project will develop, in our students, more specialized scientists who can go on to operational roles not only with our project, but with space exploration missions and space agencies around the world,” says John Moores, associate professor and grant recipient.
Those four projects and their associate professors are:
John Moores, associate professor
Project: Mars Atmosphere Gas Evolution – Flying Localization Investigation (MAGE‑FLI)
Moores received $436,500 to lead an initiative improving how scientists detect and understand rare gases in the atmosphere of Mars. The work relies on a highly sensitive instrument, called an ICOS spectrometer, that can measure tiny amounts of specific gases.
The research focuses on gases such as methane, which may be linked to possible microbial life below the planet’s surface, and chlorine, which can be associated with volcanic activity. The project aims to shed light on what may be happening beneath Mars’ surface and how the planet continues to change.
“The support of the CSA and the Canadian government is critical to my research. It funds the specialized equipment we need to test our instruments and make more precise measurements," says Moores.
Before the instrument can be used in space, the team will test it in the lab using gas mixtures and soil materials similar to those found on the planet. In the final year of the project, the instrument will be taken to Iceland and mounted on a drone to see how well it can detect gases released from the ground. “In doing this work we’re demonstrating what this instrument is capable of," says Moores, adding the results will help guide how similar tools could be used in future planetary missions.
Nima Tabatabaei, associate professor
Project: Molecularly Imprinted Opto‑Fluidic Platform for Ultra‑Sensitive Detection and Quantification of Biomarkers in Space
Tabatabaei received $288,090 to create compact health monitoring technology designed for use during space missions. The goal is to help astronauts monitor their health in real time using simple, non‑invasive measurements, even in the challenging environment of microgravity.
The research, conducted with co‑investigator Professor Pouya Rezai of George Mason University, combines several technologies into one small, modular system. It includes a device that automatically collects and processes saliva samples, materials that selectively capture health‑related molecules and a highly sensitive sensor that can detect extremely miniscule changes in those molecules.
The platform is designed to track biological markers linked to stress, inflammation and exposure to radiation, which are key concerns for astronauts on long missions. Together, these measurements could help inform earlier health decisions and reduce risks during space travel.
“This grant gives us the chance to start a new area of space‑focused health research,” says Tabatabaei. “It’s also an opportunity to contribute Canadian technology that could advance future human spaceflight.”
Beyond exploration, the technology could also be adapted for health testing in northern communities on Earth, where access to traditional medical facilities may be limited.
Gerd Grau, associate professor
Project: Food Production in Space: 3D‑Printed Capillary Hydroponics with Integrated Sensing
Grau received $291,000 to advance new ways of growing food during long‑duration space missions.
Growing plants in space presents unique challenges, including how to deliver water and nutrients to roots without gravity, manage limited resources and reduce the amount of equipment that must be launched from Earth.
The initiative will advance technology that uses 3D printing to create precise channels that guide water and nutrients to plants. Designed to be manufactured directly in space, the system aids hydroponic food production and can be adjusted for different types of crops. Built‑in sensors will help monitor plant health and detect problems early, improving efficiency and yields.
“This grant allows us to take a body of work we’ve been developing for years and apply it in a completely new context,” says Grau. “It opens up research directions that wouldn’t be possible without space‑focused funding from the Canadian Space Agency.”
While the research is aimed at supporting future space travel, the approach could also benefit food production in remote regions on Earth, including northern Canada.
Cuiying Jian, associate professor
Project: Pixelized, Flexible Sensing Network Using Laser‑Induced Graphene for Health Monitoring
Jian received $291,000 to develop a lightweight, flexible sensor technology that can monitor human health in space and in remote environments on Earth.
Working with co‑applicant Professor Razieh (Neda) Salahandish, Jian’s team is using a form of graphene – an ultra‑thin, conductive material – to create wearable sensor patches that can measure temperature, movement and moisture across different areas.
“This grant allows us to explore graphene in these new ways,” says Jian. “There’s real potential here to create tools that are both scientifically innovative and widely accessible.”
Unlike traditional devices that monitor just one part of the body, the system is designed to collect data from multiple locations at once. This could make it possible to build a more complete picture of someone’s physical condition.
A key part of Jian’s project is also closely aligned with one of the broader aims of the FAST program: student training and hands‑on learning. “This grant enables the recruitment and training of emerging researchers,” she says. “I aim to create an environment where the next generation not only learns how to conduct research, but also understands the underlying principles. Both the ‘how’ and the ‘why’ are essential.”