Dr. Gerline Metz (Image Credit: U of L)

By Nathaniel Leigh

U of L research examining the effects of being in space

Mar 19, 2026 | 5:00 PM

A University of Lethbridge neuroscientist is investigating how spaceflight can impact people of different genders.

Dr. Gerline Metz is teaming up with the University of Pittsburgh’s Dr. Afshin Beheshti and ULethrbridge’s NMR Facility director Tony Montina to determine sex-specific responses to spaceflight.

“It’s critical to evaluate sex-specific responses to spaceflight to uncover shared and divergent biological pathways,” says Metz, in a press release. “This project allows Canadian scientists to contribute to NASA’s first comprehensive analysis of the largest astronaut cohort to date.”

They’ve been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Canadian Institutes for Health Research to integrate biochemical, hormonal, immune, environmental, and exercise data from astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Their findings could potentially lead to insights on how to improve health both in space and on earth.

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The team suspects being in space disrupts how cells make energy, potentially resulting in vision problems and loss of bone density and muscle mass, problems commonly associated with age.

“This research will lead the way to identifying personalized protective measures for astronaut health and insights into how extreme stress accelerates the aging process,” says Metz. “Ultimately, this project could also lead to strategies that improve healthy aging on Earth.”

Metz will also be delivering a public talk Friday, March 27, as part of Brain Awareness Week at the Galt Museum.

The talk is titled The Stressed Brain: Lessons from Earth and Space and will be taking place at 5:30 p.m.