UTRGV professor appointed to board of NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium

By Victoria Brito Morales

Dr. Eloi Camprubi, assistant professor of Astrobiology at UTRGV’s School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for NASA’s Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC).

His two-year term will enhance networking and collaborative opportunities for UTRGV, helping students in applying for fellowships and internships. This appointment will also strengthen the connection between TSGC and UTRGV’s South Texas Space Science Institute, where Camprubi serves as the professional outreach lead.

“Being able to network at a high level is very important as an early career researcher,” Camprubi said. “This role will help our students directly because they will benefit from the knowledge of fellowships and research opportunities that I will encourage them to seek out.”

As an astrobiologist, Camprubi brings valuable expertise in the biological and chemical aspects of space and joins this prestigious group of scientists at the forefront of NASA’s exploration efforts. Encouraged by members of the consortium to apply, he was elected by his peers in December 2024.

Since joining UTRGV in Fall 2022, Camprubi has overseen the Astrobiochemistry Lab, focusing on astrobiology with an emphasis on space exploration and the origins of life. The lab consists of 12 members, including undergraduate and graduate students, along with a postdoctoral researcher, all contributing to groundbreaking research.

One of their current research projects involves assisting NASA by mapping the surface chemistry of Jupiter’s moon Europa, which is believed to contain twice the volume of liquid water than all of Earth’s oceans combined. This NASA-sponsored project is providing clues into the astrobiological data collected by the Europa Clipper mission, launched in October 2024.

ABOUT THE TEXAS SPACE CONSORTIUM

Based at the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas Space Grant Consortium includes 65 institutions, including universities, industrial organizations, non-profits and government agencies across Texas. The consortium collaborates to ensure that the benefits of space research and technology are accessible to all Texans. It is part of the larger National Space Grant Program, which includes 52 consortia representing each state, Puerto Rico and Washington D.C. The TSGC board includes eight experts in space sciences and engineering from across Texas, overseeing funding for fellowships, scholarships and outreach activities related to space science and technology while promoting STEM education and research opportunities statewide.

To learn more about the UTRGV School of Integrative Biological and Chemical Sciences, visit www.utrgv.edu/cos/schools-and-departments/integrative-biology-and-chemistry/index.htm.